Greetings Dear Friends of New Horizons House,
The girls and staff of New Horizons are all well and hoping for the monsoons to begin soon to provide relief from the oppressive heat wave. June is the hottest month in India, and yesterday it hit 111 degrees in Bhimavaram. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have a large cooling off room and air conditioning in a couple of the study rooms.
21 of the older girls recently took government education exams, with half of them passing on the first attempt and the others working with our tutors and preparing for a second attempt. 40% of the girls in India of the ages we care for and educate in the NHH youth safe house do not attend school, so the educational progress the NHH girls have made is truly remarkable.
This last month NHH had one of the surprise government inspections, this time with a few higher officials including a district judge and the head of Child Welfare. They interviewed the girls and ate lunch with them, commenting favorably on the quality of the food. They continue to compliment the staff and view NHH as a model of care, particularly noting the exceptional focus on education.
With three quarters of the young girls intending to go on for advanced education or vocational training, we need to expand the capacity of the NHH Transition Home. We have been renting space, but with 11 girls currently living there and the expected additions we will exceed the capacity of available rental facilities in about 18 months.
This month we are beginning a capital campaign to raise $335,000 by the end of the year and plan to begin construction of a 30 bed Transition Home with appropriate study areas in early 2024. The design of the building will allow an upper floor to be added at a later date if needed.
This new facility will be located within walking distance of Browning Junior College, where we currently have 11 girls enrolled, and another 11 still residing at the safe house, but taking college prep classes at Browning. This photo is a typical class at Browning…since uniforms are required our girls blend in with other students. Graduates of Browning are in high demand.
Your support is both caring for the immediate needs of the girls and providing them with skills they need to live productive and dignified lives.
We are so thankful for the financial support many of you are providing and we pledge to you to be good stewards of your funds.
Thank you,
Mike Graves,
For the Board and the Girls