Happy Monsoon

Hello from ultra-rainy Kolkata! I just spent a week in Cambodia, also enjoying their monsoon. Lots of NGOs in and out of Phnom Penh are doing great work with kids and young adults. The Cambodian government makes some things a bit easier - visas are easy to obtain and extend, good used computers cost $150 and if you do non-profit work, you can go to Angkor Wat for free.
But small projects everywhere have the same problem - funding. People that I spoke with who manage a small project agree that it takes all of your time and energy just to run the project.
Please think about this the next time you get the urge to make a donation - there are many small struggling projects who are doing important work but are often on the brink of insolvency. We all need and appreciate your help. If you need suggestions for a project to support please check our links.

Thankyou, Alison

Our student teacher returns victorious
Rabia Khatoon has passed her Class 10 exams! This is an amazing feat for a young woman who used to live on the streets. She achieved marks in the high 60s in English and Computer (35% is a passing mark - scoring is tough on exams in Kolkata). We are all incredibly proud of her and welcome her back to her assistant teaching position at Uddami.

Our first grant!

We have been awarded our first grant by Shadhika Foundation. Shadhika gives money to projects who help women and children. The grant for $3790 provides full support for 10 students (including 4 deaf students and 2 women) and the salary for Rabia Khatoon for one year. Peter and Juthica Stangl came in January to see the school and in May the board of Shadhika chose Uddami as one of the projects they support. We thank them for their generosity and hope that other foundations will follow their lead! http://www.shadhika.org

Student Statistics
as of July 1st -
Deaf students - 5
Women students - 4
Total students - 22
Graduates - 19

Finally, a benefit
Details are being finalized for the annual Uddami benefit that will take place sometime in September. Katherine Dyer and Jim Moffat have generously offered their restaurant, 42 Degrees, as the venue. Charlotte Moraga is checking her busy schedule to see if she can squeeze in a traditional Kathak dance performance. Greg Fagan, Suzanne Dumont and Denise Laws are joining forces to create a memorable evening for everyone. We look forward to seeing you there!
If you want to donate time or food or wine, please email us at uddami@india.com

Rabia gives Anil a few pointers on mail merge...

Job Update

John Francis, Tabrez Khan, Imran Zeea - working for a Government of India contract job creating voter ID cards in Hindi
Andrew Basanta - teaching computer skills to children of sex workers in New Life, an NGO just outside Kolkata
Krishna Rao & Gopal Das - taking a 3D graphics course that is a pre-requisite for a graphics job in Dubai
Polash Mondol - finishing a course in hardware
Rabia Khatoon - teaching at Uddami