Yulissa's education report

Well, this did not take as long as I feared and it also gave me some super happy news :). Yup, I got Yulissa's education report. Here it is -

She goes to a school which is also attended by 509 other students. The school has brick and adobe walls and cement floors. The facilities include a schoolyard, a playground area, 15 classrooms, a computer laboratory and a library. (Well the facilities seem good enough).
Her school is 25 minutes away and she takes the public transport. She has just finished her 3rd grade and she will start 4th grade in august (oops it is already august :) )
Here is the great news about her academic performance. Her grades are excellent and her educational progress is advanced. (Loved it) Her favorite subject is Mathematics. As part of the program, she has received a backpack, school supplies and shoes. She will continue to attend school. Sh wants to get a degree and she would like to become a chef in the future...

In the second sheet they had 'Calificaciones' and I believe they mean scores (google translate told me so). She has got an overall score of above 9 in all of her subjects and also 10 in a couple of them. In fact in the last two terms from March till July she has got a ten in all her subjects. I don't know how it makes her parents feel, I am definitely on cloud number 9 :)

ChEeRs

Finally, Welcome letter from Kulsum

My friend might almost kill me for this late update. It has been more than a week since I got the letter. Though it was after quite a delay, as I always say, it is worth it.
I finally got the welcome letter from Kulsum. It really looked like ages and I guess it indeed was. While her letter was super sweet and definitely her hobbies and likes match with mine, the translation and the whole letter gives a look of hurried work. It might just be the translator's cursive handwriting or the delay which might make me think that. So without further-a-do -
Dear Mr ####
Hello! I am fine here and hope you are also fine. I welcome you to the sponsorship program and I am very happy to have you as my sponsor. I study in grade 6 and love to read (I really think I get the studious bunch and I like it too). My first and 2nd unit tests are over and I have done well in them. I am now busy preparing for the 3rd unit test. (I love when kids use the word busy. It really shows how serious they are!) It is now the end of summer season here and soon it will be rainy season. I like to get wet in the rain. (Hey I love it too!) I love to eat mangoes (Every single friend of mine knows how crazy I am about mangoes!)
My family and I send you our love and regards and I hope to hear from you.
Your loving child
Kulsum

As I said, the translator's handwriting might have made it look it was hurried but her handwriting was as clear as pearls. It is shame though I can't understand Urdu. I will soon upload the pic with her handwriting. I really enjoyed reading this letter. One for the obvious reason that it was from kid and it was sweet. The second reason I love these letters from Indian kids is that the translator's handwriting. It feels so good to see some handwritten stuffs. Working in front of the computers for years now, I can't remember when I last used a pen seriously apart from signing for my bills :) Even though she is sponsored for my friend, I already feel like a bond forming as she has similar likes as mine :) Hoping to see more letters soon.
ChEeRs

Welcoming Kanika

And so I welcome my latest kid. Technically she is latest only for the blog. While I am writing it, already two more kids have been added :)... As you all know of the sad news about Sunandita, she had to leave the program. She had to leave the program because she got married. CI suggests you replacement kids, if any of your current kids go out of the program. Kanika was suggested by CI> I was thinking if I should sponsor her. I was having a couple of group sponsorship in my mind. But then I realised she is also of the same age as Sunandita. She is also still attending school. Here is to hoping that she goes thru with her education (even if she gets married). So without further a do - My newest kid - Kanika

Kanika is 17 yrs old. She was born on 20th of Jan. She is a Bengali and lives with her parents. Her talents are drawing (looking forward to welcome letter for sure :)) and her favorite pass time is to play with friends. She is 4" 9' tall and she does general housework at home. She is attending school which is a good thing and her favorite subject is Languages. I am not sure if it is Bengali or English. She has 3 siblings. Two younger brothers, Bikram aged 8, Karthik aged 10 and an elder sister Sathi, aged 19. Sathi is 19 and she is listed with the family. Not sure if she is studying or not. I will have to inquire and if she does, I think some help can be provided there too.
And now comes some of the sad stuffs. Even though both parents are working, the monthly income is only 74$. Her parents are daily workers. Their house has two multi-use rooms. The walls ae bamboo and the roof is tiled. It is a mud floor but luckily they have wooden beds. Will have to wait for the welcome letter to figure out how many beds are there. They have electricity and latrine. But water is from community faucets. I really believe their house needs some work. I need to check on what is possible. I am just waiting for the welcome letter with more details. I think I will start requesting reports soon. Again, I sincerely hope she is able to complete her education. And hopefully Sathi too, if she is still attending school.

~ChEeRs