From Bonnyrigg to Bollywood
Eight Boys’ Brigade (BB) members from 51st Edinburgh are preparing for a trip to India, to meet four children who are being educated, thanks to a BB fundraising campaign.
The Bonnyrigg-based BB Company has been sponsoring 15 year-old Ajit, 14 year-olds Irfan and Divka and 13 year-old Harshada by putting them through school at Lady Khatun Marium Navik School in Nhava, India.
BB members Lewis Houliston, Blair Wright, Michael Daniel and Jay Aird, along with four officers are flying to India on 9 February 2013, for the first visit since the project was started eight years ago. The project, set up by former BB treasurer, Eric Lamb, pays for schooling costs as well as uniforms and meals for the four youngsters
Over the past few months, the BB has raised more than £900 for the Indian youngsters through various bucket shaking events.
The Bonnyrigg young people are also packing lots of socks to take with them.
BB member, Lewis said:-
“We asked the teacher in India what else they needed and the reply was socks! It’s hard to get hold of good quality white socks there, which are part of their school uniform, so we are packing a case-full and taking them with us.”
After buying the socks, any money left over will be given to the school itself to pay for new equipment.
Derek Houliston, Captain, 51st Edinburgh, Boys’ Brigade said:-
“We are all very excited about our trip to India. Even though we haven’t been over there before, we feel like we know the children already. They send us letters and cards regularly and we can’t wait to actually meet them.
“For eight years, 51st Edinburgh BB has been sponsoring these children, who otherwise, would not be getting an education at all. All the young people here are very keen to help out fundraising and have been taking part in various events, including shaking buckets outside the Playhouse, where we raised £800 in one night.”
It costs £100 per child, per year for their education, all of which is paid for with BB funds.
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