Kirkspire december 2006
St Andrew’s Church Village Project
independence day adventure 1974
Murdoch MacKenzie
After the visit to the Village Project on Independence Day 1974 Doss Asirvatham wrote: ‘It was thrilling to breathe the fresh village air free from automobile pollution. We were about fifty in number and were accompanied by Mr and Mrs Younger (Elders of a Church in Canada) and Miss Betsy, a research student from Chicago, and a few friends from other churches. Three groups were formed and each of the three villages was visited by a group. Sports were conducted after unfurling the national flag and sweets were distributed. Mr Durai, one of our very regular Bible Study members, taught the boys a very exciting frog race.
It was sad to note that in Pralayampakkam the high caste villagers refused to use the first hand-pump bore-well as it was installed on the side of the low caste. But when their own well dried up they jolly well rushed to the reject pump to draw their water. Are we in the Kirk aware of this kind of situation in our own colony, Church and workspot? Blest be the tie that binds us and may God bless those smiling faces we met in the villages. The seeds of action that have been sown will surely bear fruit provided we continue our concern and prayers for the people who can’t get their daily rice meal due to lack of amenities and employment.
We proceeded to Pulicat lake and quickly spread out our rugs and satisfied our hunger and quenched our thirst under the shady trees. We then took a boat and visited the lighthouse and paddled in the sea. At 6 pm back at the Kirk was the end of a perfectly lovely day. Thanks to the Padre for having arranged this unique fellowship trip for us. Dear Lord, giver of life and all good things, may we do the work which Thou givest us to do in Truth, in Beauty and in Righteousness, with singleness of heart as Thy servants, and to the benefit of our fellowmen, for the sake of Him who came among us as One that serveth.’
Mr P Philips, Village Project Secretary wrote: ‘ The conditions of living in these villages are highly deplorable and sanitation and basic amenities are woefully lacking. Mr Subhan, our Community Development Officer, a fine young man full of energy, drive and enthusiasm, has already established good relationships with many of the local people and has concluded a house to house and person to person survey on a scientific basis relating to: 1. Family History. 2. Individual Occupation. 3. Individual Education. 4. Economic position in regard to income and expenditure. 5. Aptitude of the younger folk.
The Government has a scheme to start a primary school in each village. We have already released Rs3500 being our contribution for one village. The cost of each school is Rs15,000 of which Government pays Rs8,000 and the balance amount comes from the Panchayat. We therefore need another Rs7,000 being our contribution for two further schools and we are hopeful of getting this amount from the Christian Service Agency.
The members of the Kirk are living through exciting times and we would cordially invite all those who have till now not visited these villages to come and visit at least once.’
Murdoch MacKenzie
After the visit to the Village Project on Independence Day 1974 Doss Asirvatham wrote: ‘It was thrilling to breathe the fresh village air free from automobile pollution. We were about fifty in number and were accompanied by Mr and Mrs Younger (Elders of a Church in Canada) and Miss Betsy, a research student from Chicago, and a few friends from other churches. Three groups were formed and each of the three villages was visited by a group. Sports were conducted after unfurling the national flag and sweets were distributed. Mr Durai, one of our very regular Bible Study members, taught the boys a very exciting frog race.
It was sad to note that in Pralayampakkam the high caste villagers refused to use the first hand-pump bore-well as it was installed on the side of the low caste. But when their own well dried up they jolly well rushed to the reject pump to draw their water. Are we in the Kirk aware of this kind of situation in our own colony, Church and workspot? Blest be the tie that binds us and may God bless those smiling faces we met in the villages. The seeds of action that have been sown will surely bear fruit provided we continue our concern and prayers for the people who can’t get their daily rice meal due to lack of amenities and employment.
We proceeded to Pulicat lake and quickly spread out our rugs and satisfied our hunger and quenched our thirst under the shady trees. We then took a boat and visited the lighthouse and paddled in the sea. At 6 pm back at the Kirk was the end of a perfectly lovely day. Thanks to the Padre for having arranged this unique fellowship trip for us. Dear Lord, giver of life and all good things, may we do the work which Thou givest us to do in Truth, in Beauty and in Righteousness, with singleness of heart as Thy servants, and to the benefit of our fellowmen, for the sake of Him who came among us as One that serveth.’
Mr P Philips, Village Project Secretary wrote: ‘ The conditions of living in these villages are highly deplorable and sanitation and basic amenities are woefully lacking. Mr Subhan, our Community Development Officer, a fine young man full of energy, drive and enthusiasm, has already established good relationships with many of the local people and has concluded a house to house and person to person survey on a scientific basis relating to: 1. Family History. 2. Individual Occupation. 3. Individual Education. 4. Economic position in regard to income and expenditure. 5. Aptitude of the younger folk.
The Government has a scheme to start a primary school in each village. We have already released Rs3500 being our contribution for one village. The cost of each school is Rs15,000 of which Government pays Rs8,000 and the balance amount comes from the Panchayat. We therefore need another Rs7,000 being our contribution for two further schools and we are hopeful of getting this amount from the Christian Service Agency.
The members of the Kirk are living through exciting times and we would cordially invite all those who have till now not visited these villages to come and visit at least once.’
Murdoch MacKenzie
