L’Arche de Dolanji told us this is a long term commitment for them which is very exciting as it give us the ability to focus on other aspects of the children’s growth and welfare.

These meals are are extremely important for the children’s ability to learn and remain healthy. This is a wonderful gift, and we thank you L’Arche de Dolanji, from the bottom of our hearts.

Here are a few photos of the kids wearing the shoes and socks you guys donated.

Back row L-R: Wally, Janet, Merelie, Troy and Linda. Front row L-R: Jane, Melanie, Susanne

Clothes are always a priority at BSS. The kids go through them like kids do and we’re often on the lookout for additional winter and summers clothing of all shapes and sizes for children between 4 and 14 years.

This February a group of wonderful BSS friends from Los Angeles, CA, USA sent us a couple of suitcases full of cool, new, casual clothing, including tops and shorts and PJ’s and underwear and socks for the kids.

Many of the items were shared among the kids immediately but some of the warmer clothing will be held back until next winter.

Thanks to you all!

Marie-Jeanne at home in France knitting for BSS Kids

Marie-Jeanne is 94 years old and knits day and night.
That means the kids at BSS now have a suitcase full
of warm jumpers for next winter.

Thank you Marie-Jeanne.

Geir Davidsen from Norway has raised the US$13,000 (8.900 euro) needed to buy a vehicle for BSS through his community fund raising efforts in the Norwegian town of Etne.

I cannot tell you how happy the new Bus has made the children and how vital it is to BSS. The children will no longer have to cram into small and fast driven auto rickshaws and Rajan and Sukhdev will no longer have to worry about them getting hurt or falling out on the way to school. The bus is also used to take kids to see the doctor or to hospital if required as well as to transport food supplies from the market.

It is a strong utility vehicle and BSS has hired a professional driver whose name is Jagdish to take care of it and to be the driver. He is a nice man in his 50’s and sensible and kind to the children and the teachers.

Geir, we want to thank you and your family, all the children and adults from Etne including the newspaper Grannar and Etne Sparebank who donated NOK 15,000. What you have accomplished has made a huge and highly significant difference and I wish you could have been in Sarnath yourself to see the happy smiling faces and the magnificent Tata Bus your funding has made possible.

Dr. Haj kindly donated the funds to buy a new set of uniforms for all 220 BSS students. The kids were measured and the outfits were made specifically. The photo shows the oldest boy in the school being taught how to tie his tie.

To see more photos of the kids in their new uniforms click here.

Geir Davidsen and friend visited Buddha’s Smile School a few months ago and was so impressed that on his return to Norway he started a program of fundraising.

This is an email he sent to Rajan a few weeks ago along with some photos that you can see here.

To Rajan and friends of BSS

“Today I started fundraising for BSS. I got good help from the pupils of class 7 and one teacher from our local school. They made and sold waffles, and we sold small things that I had received from people. A hobby music group played. We handed out a leaflet about BSS to many peoples, and I hope they will donate later on. We are hoping to contract 100 people who will donate 100 NOK each month - and then we’ll have enough for one hot meal for the BSS children every day in 2008.

“Time will tell - I will keep on working on this. The day made 3.700 NOK in 3 hours. It is a start. I have sent you 3 photos and a copy of the sheet we handed out.

“Have a nice weekend.

Geir”

Thank you for donating two special meals for each of the 200 children, in the name of your beloved son. You can see their smiling faces as they enjoy the hot meal you have provided. Rajan wanted me to add that she is greatful to God for the giving of this beautiful gift and that she prays to God to make all in this universe happy.

To see more photos here.

Sally-Ann and Tony came to Sarnath recently for the Dalai Lama’s teachings. Now the younger kids at Buddha’s Smile School can enjoy two wonderful new indoor games thanks to their generosity. A new yellow car and a red and blue seesaw — what fun!!

Rajan says the kids are really enjoying playing on them. See more photos here.

It takes money and a lot of organising to sort out the sizes and then buy 200 pair of shoes and socks for the kids at Buddha’s Smile School. This year two people with loving hearts — Sandrine who lives in Spain and Paul who lives in Canada — donated the money that insured all 200 children received new footwear.

Your great and good spirits went out to help Sangita recover. Your funds have ended up helping the children she loved.

See more photos here.

It gets cold in Varanasi in winter but the kids at Buddha’s Smile School will be nice and warm thanks to a generous donation by Jim Duerlinger, Professor of Philosophy, University of Iowa, USA.

Jim kindly donated the funds to buy winter clothes for all 200 BSS students. The kids were measured and the outfits were made specifically. The photo shows the youngest class in their new (and very cute) outfits.

See more photos here.

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The world continues to spin…