WE SHOW SUPPORT FOR INDIAN CHILDREN’S CHARITY

We were inspired to show our support for Indian children’s charity Mango Tree Goa with a donation of £1,000 towards their Mango House project, when we heard about the amazing work that it undertakes each and every day in Goa to provide educational support to Indian children aged from three to 16.

Eddie Carver is one of our site managers, and he has been a champion of the charity for a few years as he explains: “My wife and I try to undertake charity work wherever we go on holiday, and we’ve helped a variety of different projects in places like Jamaica, Barbados and the Dominican Republic. We heard about Mango Tree Goa through friends who had visited the charity’s Mango House project whilst they were on holiday in Goa a few years ago.

“When they told us about the daily challenges facing disadvantaged children in Goa, and how they have little or no access to education and the amazing support The Mango House project provides every single day, my wife Yvonne and I felt compelled to get involved.

“Last year we raised money to take over 100 pairs of jelly shoes because most of the children literally have no footwear – so providing jelly shoes means they can be handed down as the children grow.

“This year we have been fundraising in our home town of Dunbar in East Lothian to raise the vital funds the Mango House project needs to provide teachers, educational supplies as well as a nutritious meal for the 175 children that benefit from the project every day.

“When the rest of the team at GDL heard how we were getting involved, they said they’d like to make a donation too, so I was overwhelmed when they made such a generous offer of £1,000 to support this project that’s so very close to my heart.

Ground Developments’ donation will be used towards the general running costs of the Mango House project, and the team has also secured a selection of essential educational supplies including pencils, rulers and rubbers from other suppliers who were also keen to show their support. These will be distributed by Eddie and Yvonne on their next trip to Goa at the end of this year.

Jane Grimshaw is one of three trustees of Mango Tree Goa: “The donation from Ground Developments Ltd means a great deal to us, and the ongoing support from Eddie and Yvonne is overwhelming. Their donations will make such a difference to the children that we aim to help in Goa.

“Unfortunately, there is little or no access to education for disadvantaged children from the slums of Goa. So we promote the benefits of having an education, and we provide the support and preparation that children from pre-nursery to age six need before they can be enrolled in school, as well as extra tuition and a healthy meal.

“Once the children learn the life skills to be able to cope in an educational environment, we enrol them with a local school, and our commitment continues through the provision of school uniform, school bags, extra tuition as well as a healthy meal.”

Kevin McKenzie, Commercial Director adds: “When we heard about Mango House from Eddie, and the opportunity and support that it offers to disadvantaged children in Goa we wanted to show our support. This project makes a real difference to over 175 children, and we know that our donation will be put to great use to provide a better start in their lives. We’re also excited to learn that following local press coverage on this story that a local teacher who read Eddie’s story has been in touch to offer her support too, so it’s amazing this charity has been able to benefit in such a positive way.” For more details about Mango Tree Goa and their incredible work visit www.mangotreegoa.org.