Dear Amigos de Tara:
The "City of Joy" is in these days a damp cloud even if people are disappointed by the lack of rains in this monsoon season. But even though one has the continuous sensation of carrying a brick over the head, the climate is relatively mild.

After several weeks in India, tomorrow I'm off to Nepal. The satisfaction of seeing the team in Tara School in Calcutta setting in such a positive way, has fulfilled this visit of limitless emotions.

With the new admissions, up to 300 pupils come each day to the school and benefit from everything we offer them. Three new teachers belong to our staff and notoriously they've quickly understood the system and spirit of our school. The merit is shared with the rest of the teachers who have helped them, as always, to get started.

So now there are 14 teachers to cope with the 8 levels taught at Tara School. Before the start of the new course all of them assisted to annual training imparted by Mr. Bablu from the local NGO Seva Kendra, specialized on education. On this particular occasion the training focused on joyful learning.  We keep on specializing in methods of education through games that stimulate the attendance to classes and the interest for studies in our pupils. It has a highly positive value and means a big support for the important labor we're persecuting.

I want to highlight also, the marvelous labor that Rehana Kathoon, the Tara School principal, is developing. I always knew it had been successful to chose her for such a post of responsibility, but I have to admit, that after all this time, she doesn’t stop surprising me with her maturity, compromise and never-ending energy always servicing the project.

Thanks to her, her knowledge of the educational medium and her daily good disposition, we have really improved in many aspects. Also, she has just graduated in education with really good marks and will pursue a school principal degree.
 
After expanding our premises and repairing the old building, although some classrooms are still not finished, we are feeling more comfortable. The rest of the building is due to be finished by October, when the rainy season ends.
 
The school is really gorgeous! ... Last week "Plantation Day" was celebrated and the courtyard is full of beautiful plants that are watered and pampered by the students.
 
Just a couple of days ago, we had of annual meditation day with the children, and I was really surprised when arriving at the meditation center, I was told that a documentary film was being shot to be played in more schools to display us as an example of a school in which meditation is being practiced. I was widely interviewed. They were really interested in the benefits we have obtained after several years with pupils and teachers...
It was marvelous. I felt elated and really grateful after being conscious of the greatness of our labor.
 
Carolo Parra is our new voluntary on place and after several weeks with us, he is happy to belong to ADT and I like him, after watching him in action, how he gets along and his hold of hindi, there's no doubt that we are lucky that he is collaborating with us. He is a humble person and his nature is alike to the Tara School spirit. He gets along perfectly with everyone and everything.
 
About the micro credit program, there are already 8 groups under it and Naresh, the director of the program on place, is getting two more groups ready to get the total number up to ten groups. The actual loan takers come weekly to the meetings, sharply giving back the due interest and their business are flourishing daily.
 
Banipur's medical dispensary keeps on attending about fifty patients every working day, offering proper sanitary assistance in a deep poverty zone.

We want to thank those who during this month have come to know ADT mission on place. If you know some one who wants to visit us just contact on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
I'm going to Nepal. The school on the mountains reopens its activity next 16 of August after closing for the rainy season. I will contact you from there.

Please keep in touch.
 
Dil se (from the heart).
 
Natalia Pallàs, ADT president.