GOODWILL CHILDREN'S ORPHANAGE
The Orphanage in Thandigudi in southern India is part of the Goodwill Village scheme founded in 1963 by John Foster, a former Headmaster and his wife Pamela.
They had gone to India with the intention of giving a couple of years useful service to uplift some of the most needy and destitute children in the Third World.
John and Pam spent all their retirement years and all their money on the Thandigudi project until both died about 20 years ago leaving a wonderful legacy for the poor of India.
Some of the orphan children Preparing food gifts for the children
When Ian Sanders was International Director of the Rotary Club of Gawler in 1983/84, he and North Wiltshire (England) International Director Ken Winslow established a joint project to support the Goodwill Orphanage.
During its existence the Goodwill Children's Village and Homes have progressed to create thriving communities of girls and boys who once knew the real meaning of grinding poverty, the like of which would appall people in the Western World.
The developed ventures are in the charge of capable and dedicated Indian staff who play major roles in welfare and administration.
Goodwill Orphanage staff
This orphanage clothes, feeds and educates local children and also assists and encourages them with further education and finding employment.
The Rotary Club of Gawler has been making an annual contribution to this worthy cause since 1984 and has assisted thousands of youngsters lead a better life, free from hunger, fear and exploitation. John Foster visited our club on two occasions during the late 1980s and early 1990s and also visited many schools in the Gawler area.
A regular quarterly newsletter is received from Goodwill Village and Rotarian Ian is recommending to Club board that the annual contribution continue. Furthermore, Ian and Brian Burt wish to each personally contribute an additional $100.