Torrential rains, flooded streets, bones drenched by the dampness… It is the monsoon at its peak. With this scenario, some weeks ago we began the new school term: now we have almost 300 students schooled at Tara. Among our aims for this year, we want to increase the academic level of our students. I would like to remind you that Tara School, being a Non-Formal School, must pay special attention to this issue so that, in a few years, our students can successfully accede to an official school.

In order to reach this goal, we got in touch with a school, near ours, that will guide us on the academic issues: supervising books, lessons and exams, et al. We have also started some other complementary activities in order to develop this task in a better way and to deepen our knowledge on those matters. Thus, a week before we began this term lessons, the teaching staff attended a crash course for teachers, organised by local NGO, Seva Kendra. For five days we received specific training for schools of our characteristics, where many student are below the official academic standard or the one corresponding to their age.

During those most interesting days, a beautiful friendship arose with our trainer, Mr. Bablu, who has been professionally devoted to this noble task for more than 15 years and has worked on many schools, including ours. We could not miss such a good opportunity and, after several conversations, we agreed that, on a fortnight basis, all of our teachers will have a meeting with him so he can counsel us on working methodology, how to increase the students’ involvement… and be able, so, to fulfil our objective. Since then, we feel that, thanks to his guidance, we have acquired more knowledge and security and trust in our relevant task.

On the other hand, Seva Kendra’s Department of Education devised a program for the level we call Special Class, for children who never before went to school, and where they get some support and encouragement so, in a year time, they are ready to be included in the level corresponding to their age. After telling them our experience with this class in these three years, now we are about to implant the system Seva Kendra has been successfully teaching in other schools for years. We will keep you informed on everything concerning this most important issue.

With the new term, we have also given some new school uniforms, including one for gym and sports. Some of you have asked us the reason for these uniforms: after Tara’s first year, when the students went to class wearing their own clothes, we decided, thanks to a donation by the St. Cuthbert Mayne School, in England, to buy those uniforms: as a result, the students feel more dignified, since one of their rules is to come to class clean, and they must follow this rule. Besides, these uniforms let us avoid the clothing inequalities. On the other hand, every school around this region has an uniform, so, as a psychological effect on our students, we believe it is important for them to feel they are studying in a “proper” school, not one for the poor.

The micro-credits project keeps its course in a regular way: every payment is done on a weekly basis and every borrower keeps on fighting and profiting the opportunity to progress and improve their lives.

This month we would like to thank the Asociación de Vecinos [Neighbours’ Association] Peñablanca de San Cristóbal (Segovia) for including us, once more, in their weekly agenda. Likewise, our sincere acknowledgement to all the villagers of San Cristóbal for their warm welcome. Last August 7th, in the Association’s facilities, we enjoyed a meeting charged with solidarity: we screened to our Amigos the second documentary feature on the Asociación Amigos de Tara, produced and directed by our Secretary Marcos Borregón. After a colloquy in a most relaxed atmosphere, we could enjoy a street market all over San Cristóbal, with a huge involvement of everybody from that lovely Segovian locality. This was possible thanks to the collaboration and support from our friends:

• Hugo Pérez and Naga Brothers Shop, in Madrid (they donated all the merchandising at sale in the street market, which profits would go to Amigos de Tara)
• Ana de Andrés and Taller Amapola (they donated soaps to be sold)
• The group of physiotherapists of Segovia (they relaxed the customers’ muscles for a good cause)
• The Women's Association "Los Fresnos", in San Cristóbal (Segovia), for their handmade bars of soap.
• And all the villagers who cook the exquisite meals that were sold, in order to raise funds for our projects.

To all of you, thanks once more for being an example of solidarity and generous support.

Last, but not least, some good news: some weeks ago we were informed that we have been declared Asociación de Utilidad Pública (Public Usefulness Association), so let me tell you that, in your next Income Tax Declaration you will receive the data concerning your donations to Amigos de Tara.

Thanks for your patience and fidelity in spite of this delay. We keep on growing, always in favour of our beneficiaries.

Our deepest gratitude to all of you for being a part of this dream. Always united.

Natalia Pallás

Chairwoman, Amigos de Tara