From frazersj@jesuits.net Mon Mar 15 12:29:21 2004 Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 21:54:47 +0530 From: Frazer Mascarenhas S.J. To: chidu Subject: further answers from Fr. Godfrey Dear Chidu, I have spoken to Godfrey on the phone and he has come back to me with these responses to your questions. They are numbered according to the manner of the questions you sent: Thanks. Frazer sj. 1. Sources: Sundry donations from private sources through friends, mostly Mumbai based. This source can provide more but needs much time and effort to activate. 2. I hope to have contact with German charities through a personal friend. However, if a single source provides enough, why stack donations and get taxed?! 3. Yes, teachers' attendance matters for monthly stipend. If found negligent, not just salary cut but termination of service is promptly done. 4. After Asha? We've worked 12 years at this programme, so we will look for other funding when Asha tires of us. The programme needs to grow and answer the changed needs of the time. We have projected just the needs of the next few years. 5. Certainty is not found in any human system. But 12 years experience shows that children do come when motivated and supported. There is awareness today among tribal communities, of the benefits of education. It just needs to be brought within their grasp. 6. After Godfrey? After Nehru? After Kennedy? Someone will follow on. The organisation that I belong to, which has assigned this work to me, will assign someone else, equally or more committed. The commitment to the tribals is organisational. 7. Regarding annual trips. These also include visits to projects for tribal development. The teacher, at least, must know both urban and rural worlds, to gain insight into PALAS. If we do not build up the worldview of these gatekeepers of knowledge, how can we expand those of the tribals in the remote villages? ----------------------