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Latest News
Gap Students
Over the years, Sylvia has welcomed many gap year students and they have found the experience both enjoyable and inspiring; several have become lifetime supporters. Samantha Gittings and Peter McGoverin are currently spending 3 months doing valuable work in the school. Peter, who is himself deaf, has particularly enjoyed cricket, helping in lessons and learning some Tamil.
Samantha writes: "I am having an amazing time – the children, teachers and staff are so lovely and welcoming it would be hard not to!"
There are opportunities for more students from the UK, aged 18+, to do voluntary work at Sylvia's school in the future. Two students can be accommodated for about 3 months in January and September. For more information please contact Tony Allinson.
Peter, a gap student, working with some deaf children'
Sylvia has had many other visitors this year, including Trustees, students, medical students and a party of medics from Essex. All have come back hugely impressed and committed supporters.
The hospital is running well and continues to offer a high quality service in a caring environment. The dialysis unit is being expanded to 14 machines and Sylvia has at last found an Indian Nursing Superintendent to help her.
The school continues to provide a first class education and pastoral care, for over 200 deaf children who have again achieved excellent exam results at all levels. A qualified teacher of English has been appointed and also a new IT teacher and a number of laptops, both new and second hand have been donated. Lisa Binns and others have begun sending good quality hearing aids for the children which is a marvellous improvement.
A Pandiyan, a Year 10 student in the school, has achieved top marks in Tamil Nadu (population 72 million) for hearing impaired students with a remarkable 100% in his Maths exams.
The two day centres are continuing to care for 80 children with a wide range of severe disabilities and the early intervention centre for the hearing impaired continues in a local school.
The new Nursing College has accepted the third intake of 20 students, with 20 more to follow in 2012 making a total of 80. The course is tough, not least because it is in English but all have passed their interim exams to date.
The 2011 intake of 20 students taking their nursing oaths with Sylvia
Sue Wilson walks 500 miles to Santiago de Compostela to raise funds for Sylvia
Here is Sue's own account:
" I first decided to attempt the walk of St James whilst on pilgrimage in Lourdes in 2008. I visited a place called Gavarnie, high up in the Alps above Lourdes. The scenery was amazing and in the midst of snow topped mountains and forests was a huge statue of "Our Lady of the Snows". The statue is there to protect pilgrims on their journey to Santiago de Compostela. The tiny church in Gavarnie has a beautiful prayer to our lady and it's where many pilgrims start their journey. I started to read about "the Camino" and researched into what it entailed. I had 2 years previously been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that had slowly but surely started to made a big impact on my general health and fitness, the main effects being arthritic pain and chronic fatigue. I didn't at any time mention my intentions to any of the doctors caring for me as I was nervous of any negativity and was determined that with my determination and the power of prayer I could do it.
This year I turned 60 and thought "Now's the time!" Everything slotted into place. I have a great friend, Ricky from Beverley, who loves walking and when I told her about my intentions she wanted to do the walk with me; we encouraged each other in different ways.
After speaking to my parish priest, I was encouraged to raise money by asking people to sponsor me. There are so many good causes out there but I just couldn't decide. My decision to support The Sylvia Wright Trust came from an impromptu decision to attend a retreat day at Woodhall to spend time in contemplation and share vespers with the Carmelite sisters. It was there that I was introduced to the work of Sylvia and my decision was made.
My faith, not my fitness, got me to Santiago in 31 days instead of the planned 35. I could feel the prayers coming from home and at times my feet just wouldn't stop. It was an amazing experience. The walking every day was never a problem but I was disappointed at the lack of spirituality at times; many people were simply there for the walk, its challenge and time out.
Wherever possible I stayed with similar minded people in convents and monasteries, sharing a meal and prayers. One of the best nights' sleeps I had was on a one inch mattress on the floor in an old Franciscan monastery.
My arrival at the Cathedral in Santiago after 500 miles and 31 days and the Pilgrims' Mass was an experience I shall always treasure and be grateful for. It's not possible to put into words how special it was."
Footnote: Sue has raised £265 so far for Sylvia. If you would like to add to that amount in recognition of her wonderful and courageous achievement please do so via our Donations page).
The Sylvia Wright Story DVD as proved so successful we will shortly commission the third reprint with subtitles. Please let us know if you would like a copy. The original DVD is now also available online at: vimeo.com/thesylviawrighttrust
This website is now being updated by Steve Bates of Ptarmigan Design, for which many thanks.
Our small brochure has been updated and reprinted. Copies are available on request.
UK Schools & Colleges. Pat Bailes and Andrew Lowe, have maintained links with our established schools, colleges and Universities and have recruited some new ones. See UK Schools & Colleges page for much more information.The school in India has started to produce a magazine which we are circulating to UK schools and we hope shortly to set up occasional video links with Rangammal School.
Talks co-ordinator Anne-Marie Rose, has organised more talks than ever to various community groups. See Talks and Speakers page. More venues are always welcome.
Child Sponsorship Angela Clark continues to work tirelessly to manage the sponsorship programme. In the school, only 7 children remain without sponsors and 5 of the disabled children are also now sponsored. In addition, a few of the student nurses are being given bursaries.
Indian Support Overall, both the number of active supporters and regular giving have again increased, which is wonderful in the present difficult economic climate. We have also seen a steady increase in support from the Indian Community in the UK including the Hindu Temple in Leeds (now one of our Patrons) and those in the Essex Group (see next item).
Essex Group The Essex SWT group, made up of 20 consultants, doctors, nurses and support staff, visited the hospital in September 2011 to run their second medical camp. Paying their own expenses, they offered free consultations and surgery as well as advice and training to Sylvia's own doctors and nurses. They screened 1300 new patients. Bhik Kotecha, ENT consultant, actually cleaned the ears of every single child; that's 420 ears! The group hope to present a new ambulance for which they have been fundraising since their first visit in 2009.
 Some of the Essex Team in theatre
Finance
In the year to May 2011, we managed (just) to raise enough money to send our monthly grant though our reserves were further reduced by the final capital payment on the Nursing College.
The generosity and loyalty of our supporters is amazing. Just 600 core supporters and their friends and families have helped Sylvia to achieve so much in India - without fail - for almost 30 years!
Peter Spratt has stepped down as Treasurer of the Trust. Peter has looked after our finances meticulously since 2001 and we are pleased that he will continue as a trustee. Geoff Fuller is now holding the purse strings. See Contact page.
SWAG
The Sylvia Wright Action Group (SWAG) meets in Leeds 3 times a year. The next meeting is scheduled for January 2012. Please contact Tony Hartigan (01943 851431) if you would like to come along. See SWAG page for more details.
Thanks
Sylvia continues her tireless work and sends her grateful thanks for your support. As she often says, "Without you I can do nothing."
The Trust wishes to thank all supporters for their continuing and loyal commitment.
* Chairman's Letters to Supporters *
Christmas 2011 click here.
Summer 2010 click here.
Christmas 2010 click here.
Summer 2011 click here
Articles and features in newspapers and magazines
Click on our links to articles in newspapers:
Sylvia Wright Newsletter
Click here to download our latest Newsletter.
Receive our Newsletter
To receive our free Sylvia Wright Newsletter by post or email please send your name and address to: newsletter@sylviawright.org.
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