Note: Children’s names have been changed in this newsletter for child protection purposes.

This year started with an award to Joydeep Banik and his team in Bekind Boys' Home for outstanding service in the field of child protection.

It is just twelve years since our original home opened its doors to give protection to twenty very vulnerable little boys whose home was once the streets of Kolkata. For many reasons, those children were either orphaned, abandoned, lost or in an unsafe family situation.



Over the years we have provided a home to some sixty-four boys. Several now have their own jobs or are in further study and finding their way in life as young men who have benefitted from the education they received. Some have been restored to their own families as circumstances improved. Some have been adopted by Indian couples who give these boys a loving family environment.

On 11 December, a day before returning to Ireland, I wished orphans, eleven-year-old Joy and his fourteen-year-old brother, Bijoy, all the best as their adoptive parents came from the neighbouring state of Bihar to collect the boys and give them a new family life.

The new Bekind Boys’ Home is much larger than the first one and is located in a quiet residential area. The children attend the same schools as before and this has avoided any disruption to their education. The majority attend English medium classes.

An excursion to Andra Pradesh by train caused great excitement as we had kept the destination a surprise for the boys. They would travel to the city of Visakhapatnam where they were to experience an aircraft and submarine museum, a film studio, golden beaches on the Bay of Bengal and many parks and attractions. The accommodation was excellent with south Indian food toned down in spice levels to suit the Bengali palate, and mine! They really enjoyed every minute with several of them seeing the sea for the first time.

Our final day to the famous Aroku Valley had to be cut short as we learned of train cancellations and a nasty cyclone heading our way. Getting all thirty-one of us an early return journey to Kolkata was no mean feat but Bekind Boys' Home Manager, Joydeep, and Hope Foundation Logistics Manager, Gora, secured tickets on the Humsafar Express at 4.30am, bringing us safely home on a fifteen-hour journey.

Cyclone Michaung slammed into Chennai causing several deaths and extensive flooding in the area. For us the great escape, someone was looking after us.

The budget is in place for the new Bekind Boys’ Home, with overall costs up approximately €10,000 on last year, is broken down as follows:

• Direct Programme Costs of €33,462 include: Manager, caregivers, doctors’ fees, cook, house keeper and nutrition etc
• Educational Costs of  €15,387 include: School fees, uniforms, books, stationary, additional home-based teachers for English, science, drawing, dance, computer, and special educator
• Programme Support and Personnel Costs €27,246 include: Rent, utility bills, vehicle maintenance and fuel, driver, security guards etc

The total budget is €76,095, which if divided by the number of children in the Bekind Boys’ Home, 25, equals €3,044 per child per year. At just €3,000 per child, it may, by Irish costs appear very reasonable but it makes a massive difference to the wellbeing and future for every boy in Bekind Boys' Home.

None of this is possible without the support and generosity of our donors and various fund- raising events. 

As always, we are grateful to Maureen Forrest and her dedicated staff in Hope Kolkata Foundation without whom this project simply could not function. We wish them well as they prepare to celebrate 25 years in Kolkata next year having helped literally thousands of people young and old. 

Wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas and let us hope for peace in our world in 2024.

Thank you for being kind.

Brian

Brian Flanagan

Founder Director

Bekind Ireland