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Wes Hosford - Global Citizens
The following quotes are from an article in the Sherwood Park News on Friday January 18, 2008 by Amy Dyck. “Since 2003, Wes Hosford elementary school has taken an active role in seeing to it that One! International continues to strive to make its mark in the slums of Mumbai.” “Each year the elementary school donates money, supplies and encouragement to the One! International team, and this year was no different.” “Throughout the month of November, ….students packed over 81 individual gift boxes containing an assortment of needed school items and special treats for their Indian peers. They even raised about $370 to help assist with shipping costs.” “It is five years now that Wes Hosford has been doing this, and they are still really helping us. We really appreciate it. ...We’re trying to create a greater awareness with our kids in schools here, especially the elementary ones, of the conditions in some of the developing countries, such as India,….It creates that sense of global citizenship that we all need to be aware of,…..” “One! International is now a global organization due to its support from …..countries around the world, but Spilchen and her daughter Tania continue to be thankful for the regular support from local groups, such as the students at Wes Hosford.” |
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 Two children Kavita and Rohit that wish they were able to come to school but their parents stand in their way. |
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Learning our Lessons
November and December—though very productive— saw the rise of school vs. school conflict created by two of the Nallasopara staff. They couldn’t adapt to the senior staff and eventually the problem grew to irreparable.
We are lucky to have kept Nallasopara teacher Sunita despite the conflict and have added teacher and actress Chitr to the team. Learning from our part of the conflict, there is now more involvement between all staff and a senior staff from the Khar school is present in Nallasopara every day.
Though the Annual Program was an extremely happy affair, it had a spot of sadness as it was the last time that we would be with our long-time volunteer and friend Bryonie (originally from England). Bryonie started volunteering at the school in September of 2006 and made her mark with her ever-present smile and constant hard-work. She looked to see what needed to be done and did it.
Staff and students came to love her presence and there will definitely be a hole in her absence.
We wish her luck in her new endeavours and want her to know that she will always be remembered.
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Nitin Healthy
In September of 2006, Nitin—son of our cleaning lady, Rekha—was diagnosed with tuberculosis. He was only four and a half years old at the time. With the guidance of the One! Staff, Rekha took control of the situation and went on her own to talk to the doctors at the hospital. They started treatment and asked if One! would be paying for the medicines. Rekha told the doctors that One! did so much already in helping her with education and so much more that she couldn’t ask for more. The doctors responded to her need and appreciation for the work that we are doing by donating the medicine on their own. For sixteen months Rekha went bi-monthly for new medicine and check-ups and gave Nitin the medicines thrice daily. All of her hard work paid off. In December she cried happy tears when the news came back that Nitin’s x-ray was clear. He was a healthy and happy five year old boy!! One! was extremely proud of her and proud of ourselves as an organization—not only did we help Nitin become healthy again, but proved that we are not only helping people, but more importantly helping people to help themselves!
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