Namaskar Wendy Didi, lovely Maa,Papa, and everybody. Many many thanks for your efforts towards Monalisa project on behalf of our indian daughters association. Really I am very much happy to know about your sincerity and love towards us.
 

We love you all so much.  Thank you.  See you soon.
Yours Jyoti, Mona, and all.  Namaskar.  Love and loveeeeeeee.

Hello everyone.  Last day of spring today; first of summer tomorrow.  News from Muzaffarpur that I don't think I've told you yet.  Jyoti has a few extra worries right now.  Monalisa had an operation on her foot and luckily it was not serious.  She has to rest it for a week or two.  Little Baboo has measles, making it harder still for Jyoti to get away to do her chores at the bank and post office.  

Hopefully we've got a much better payment system set up for Jyoti and she will not need to go through the awful stress of the past month.  Westpac has been charging us $20 to send Jyoti's money to her online.  And then, Westpac has charged us $30 to bring the last 3 transfers back from India.  Angela was never notified that Westpac had changed the International Services Bank in India and the new bank required more information about Jyoti.  Until the first transfer returned 2 weeks later, we had no idea.  By this stage we'd sent off 2 further sums.  When the money did get to Jyoti it took 9 days, which is too long when you have 8 children to feed and 2 are not well.  Even here in Australia we would have problems if our payments did not turn up for 9 days beyond the expected date.

We are now sending the money through Western Union - which operates on a much better exchange rate, giving us more INR for our AUD, with the added bonus that it costs less than Westpac over the counter service.  Right now 3 transfers would eventually have cost us $20 to send online; $30 for Westpac to track it down (where is it?); $30 to return to our account ; $20 to send again.  For EACH of 3 transfers!  Angela is applying to Westpac for a large refund and hopefully that will happen.  At these charges we are supplying more money to fund Westpac's bungles than to feeding and educating our Indian children. 

This way, the money will be available to Jyoti within minutes of sending it - available when she needs it most - immediately!  None  of us have been impressed by the delay - and then the high fee returns when Angela was not notified of Westpac's changed procedures.  Angela has been sending money to India almost every month since early 2003.  And it has often been very stressful.  Here's hoping the stress is now gone and we can do this without ridiculous fees and charges, at the proper exchange rate, and within minutes.  Yes!

Love and thanks to all of our sponsors and donors.   We really do insist upon getting every cent that you've donated, across to Jyoti and the children without unnecessary costs or delays. 

Wendy

I printed the photos and most turned out well except the one with the stair case and exposed wiring.  This will be great for people to see what needs to be done in terms of safety.  Finish electric work.  Jyoti has told me this is one of their next 2 or 3 priorities.  The plastering is coming along well. Monalisa is looking great in yellow not sure which girl that is with her. That's Pinki and Anupa with Monalisa and maybe that's baboo in the glasses.
 
Great to read the updates and all your wonderful work Wendy. Its so amazing how this is all coming together. You are absolutely perfect for this job and were obviously hand picked  by the blog angels to help create this exchange between our two cultures and help this cause. I know how the children's well being and education, from all countries around the world is such a vital part of who you are, and your big heart for the children really inspires me and all who you are working with. Thank you so much Wendy from all the children and all of us who are privileged to work along with you. You are such a vita link in our project. Love from all the children, Jyoti, Monalisa Pinki Anupa and Angela.
 
Please post the above paragragh onto the blog. Not sure how to yet but I will learn soon.
 
Well firstly we had a fantastic day at Devonport markets. I went with Toni who came along to help and talk to people. She knows lots of people there. Toni is having a morning tea to raise funds on the 6th Dec at her daughter inlaw's place. I will give a talk and show the Dichroics which are proving to be really popular for Christmas presents.
 
Kathy from the Barn remembers you and is going to sell movie tickets for us in her shop and bought one of the pendants I made last week plus I sold another one of mine too. Alister said, "Well of course, cos they are just as good as Nick's."  I didnt believe it at first, but now I do. I will have to order some more today for the Devonport show next week.

People were so supportive of what we are doing. Tassie people and the poorer ones are all so giving.     
 

<angelamay@dodo.com.au> wrote:
Dear Jyoti and Monalisa and everyone. Namaskar teachers and children and parents. Love to you all from us here in Australia.
 
Today we have more good news. My real brother Peter has donated $1000AUD to the Monalisa project.  I am very grateful and hope you can now finish plastering four more rooms upstairs to complete that part of the building and also to finish painting those rooms. What is the next part of the project, Jyoti and how much do we need?  I hope you have looked up the blog page and typed in the address on the world wide web.

www.blogtext.org/monalisaproject/  

you can read all about things on there and also add your own messages and updated information.  I don't know how to do that but Wendy does and she can tell you how if you write to her.
 
Papa is away for one week doing some car detailing work in Hobart, Tasmania' s Capital city, three hours drive south from here.
 
We are planning to leave Australia on the 12 or 13th March to fly to Singapore then New Delhi. We might hire a 4 wheel drive with driver in Delhi and drive to Muzaffurpur.  How many hours drive from there Jyoti do you know? or how many kilometers?  maybe 3 or 4 days driving do you think?
 
We need some more photos of the children and the building with roof on Jyoti if you can. Also should now be showing the doors and windows in the upstairs.
 
How is your health Jyoti and Monalisa?  We are quite well here.
Must go now as it is very late here.  Love you all very much and pray for the completion of your home school very soon.  God Bless you both and all the children living there. Love to Pinki.  Is she a relation of Monalisa. Same name Sarkar?
 
Bye for now.
Maa Angela (Anjeli) and papa  xxxxxxxhug hug hug 

From: jyoti jahnvi
To: Angela May
Sent: Sunday, November 05, 2006 2:02 AM
Subject: namaskar


Hello and namasaskar to all of you.  Today I came back from Pundag. Every body are fine here. hope you all are carring well.  I have received your 30,400 (thirty thousand four hundred) today.

I shall pay the loan 18,000 (eighteen thousand) and rest amount I shall complete  some room plastering work. Before 3 rooms completed + one room, means 4 rooms plastering will be completed very soon.

Maa If you send some amount then I shall continue the plastering work. I shall send the photographs of all the doors and windows. Shall i send through scaning or photos by post. which will be more useful for you.

we have to plaster 4 more rooms, front coridor, complete back sides and stair case and stair case room.painting.

realy maa its a very courageous step what you taken over. I shall always pray GOD to keep you more healthy and energetic to do such a noble task. I think you also enjoying some times when people are coming forewards to complete this project and extending hand towards you. I am very hurry to complete the rest job before you come here. But every thing on HIM and you.

I love you very much maa. please mail me, I shall ring you, Convey our regards to every body. paapa, wendy didi, Elisa. rheet.

I mail you very soon. thank you very much, namaskar loveeeeeee. kisssssss.......kisssssssssss. yours all Indian lovely daughters.


 

Good News From Jyoti

Hi everyone. Jyoti and Angela talked on the phone right now. We've been sending money almost every week because we want the home and school fully operational as soon as possible. The plastering inside is now complete and they are starting the stairs this week. We now have 90 students and 6 teachers at our school.   Jyoti has been trying to send photos to us but the email host that she uses has not been working properly.  As soon as the photos come through, I'll post them here.

Jyoti said that the next priority will be to get desks and chairs for each classroom.  Angela was speaking with a person who is involved in the Edu Compass project between schools and individuals here and in South Africa.  We'd also been trying to work out the cheapest and best way to send clothing, shoes, books, pens, paper, pencils and all kinds of useful things that are being discarded here but would be treasured there.  We'd talked about the possibility of getting a shipping container to be filled and shipped over.  This person has given Angela the information we needed to get this happening.  We're hoping to set up a similar program  between us here and Jyoti and the children in Muzaffarpur so that we can ship goods over to them cheaply.

We need everyone's input for this.   Perhaps you know someone who runs a warehouse that distributes factory seconds.  Furnishings for the house and school are needed.  Blankets, rugs or doonas are needed for the children living upstairs.  Winter will soon be upon them.  Non perishable food items may also be a possibility. 

Once the major construction, fixtures and fittings are complete, we can concentrate on the day to day funding of the children, their lives and their education.  We'd like all the children at the school to have a good and nutritious breakfast or lunch.  Maybe both.  

Whenever we speak of Jyoti we're filled with admiration for her continued struggle to improve the lives of many children in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India.  Without Jyoti the Monalisa Project of building a home and school would never have been possible.  Providing a loving home is one part of the quest.  To provide school community, love, support and education are other branches of this quest.  All are vital to the overall success of the entire project.  So, THANKYOU JYOTI.  Our project succeeds because of you.

Jyoti is all things to all people in her life.  She's a mother, a father, a nurse, a teacher, a guide to the children she lives with.  Jyoti is a colleague and friend to the teachers she employs to teach in her school.  Jyoti is a buiding designer and builder.  She sets herself a challenge and she goes out and confronts that challenge without giving up until it is met.  When her children are afraid at night because of a burglar's intrusion, Jyoti reevaluates her priorities so that she can not only make their home safe, but she can make the children feel safe again.

Our fear of course is that Jyoti will neglect herself whilst doing so much.  Jyoti, we all need you to take extra good care of yourself.  We appreciate the dedication with which you put our funds to the best possible use.  The children are very lucky to have you for their parent-guide.  And we are very lucky that you take such good care of these special children.  You must make certain that you take extra good care of yourself too.

Thankyou from all of us in Tasmania, and other parts of Australia, who travel with you on this amazing journey.

This email is written to Angela but it speaks to all of us.

From: jyoti jahnvi
To: Angela May
Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 2:23 AM
Subject: thanks a lot maa,and god

Love to all of you.hello, deep namaskar and thanks to your own brother Peter, love to pappa, rheet, Elisa, Wendy didi. Realy your dedication towards Monalisa project is uncompareble, Our heartist love, respect,to all the members those who are involve direct or indirectly in this project.Many many thanks to GOD.
 
 
Its a great  JOY of all the children of our HOME , teaching staffs, and parents of the school that you are coming here.You all are heartily most WELCOME TO YOUR OWN DREAM MONALISA PROJECT. I am realy very very delighted to have this news. I started counting the day. I shall meet you along with your team. Please guide me maa what I shall keep ready to make everybody happy, regarding food, sight seeing, art, paintings, dance, songs,  and so on .....
 
I become very happy, to get you all here. We all are fine here. I have received your 10,000 (ten thousand) 2 days back. I  used for more one room plastering. Maa I think you you forgot that last mail I had mention that grill and plastering all together  there is a loan of 18,000 (eighteen thousand).  I shall pay the loan and rest amount i shall use for more two rooms plastering . Please go to the last mail.regarding that website I shall keep touch to Wendy DIDI. I shall mail you next from Delhi to muzzaffarpur distance and how many hour car drive or train journey. I am going to Pundag for a week.  I dont have digital camera to take photographs, I have some children photographs, I think after coming back from Pundag I shall send all the photographs. l may take help from some studio.
 
Pinky  Sarkar, Mona Sarkar and Anupa Sarkar.  3 are Sarkar.  We all fine by God's grace and your deep love. Love to all and kiss to you. yours lovely daughters Mona and Jyoti and everybody,kisssssss.lovvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeee.huggggggg.
 

The Monalisa Project

MOVIE NIGHT FUNDRAISER

TIME AND COST TO BE ADVISED

Director: Gabriele Muccino
Cast: Will Smith, Thandie Newton, Jaden Smith

Dichroic Glass Pendants
What is Dichroic Glass?  Developed by the aerospace industry and eventually discovered by warm glass artists, Dichroic glass has been used in the making of jewellery for about fifteen years.
Dichroic is defined as having more than one colour, especially when viewed from different angles.  The glass is coated with 15 to 45 micro-thin layers of metallic oxides, such as titanium, silicon and magnesium.  It is then fired in a high temperature vacuum furnace.  Dichroic coatings transmit certain wavelengths of light, while reflecting others.  The transmitted colour is different from the reflected colour.  Dichroic glass is very expensive to produce because of the manufacturing process and is only produced in Italy and the United States.
 

Making a Dichroic Glass Pendant (see photos)
Dichroic glass is hand cut, fashioned into a design and fuse-fired in a kiln at a temperature between 825c and 925c.  Each pendant is then worked and fire-polished again.  Some pendants may get fired several times before they are completed.  Each pendant is annealed (soaked at an annealing temperature in the kiln) for strength.  The bails used on these pendants are .925 sterling silver or gold plated.

Available From

Angela May
PO Box 1078 DEVONPORT TAS 7310
Phone: 03 64236441

Email:  monalisa.project@aapt.net.au

CC: angelamay@dodo.com.au