Break the Cycle - Latest News
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Great news is that after over 3 years (seriously interrupted by Covid-19), Planning Permission was granted in April 2023 for our latest “Break the Cycle” initiative!
This is to (literally!) build on what we did back in 2005 when we helped construct 18 shops in a city called Bellary in Northern Karnataka state. The rents from the shops made the hostel in Bellary self-sufficient so not relying on “outside aid”. This time we want to build some offices above the shops, and the rents from these will finance the Prima Nivera hostel in Halvi that we currently support (see "Current Projects). This is in a particularly poor rural area, about 75km from Bellary. Now that permission had been granted, the next step is for the Diocese to put together their proposal for the complete project. This includes everything from total project costs and anticipated revenue through to how the project and later the offices would be managed. We now await the Diocese's proposal, then once satisfied that it is viable, we will look to raise the balance of funds needed. The great news is that whilst we do not yet know what the total project costs will be (though likely in the order of £80,000 - £100,000), we do already have about £53,000 towards the project. Opposite you will see some photographs of the current shops, and below that a copy of the Plans (with the necessary "stamps"!). Those with good eyesight might notice the permission is for a 3-story building (not just the additional 1 storey we need to support the Halvi hostel). This is forward-planning in case in the future locally they want to embark on an additional project, so permissions are already in place. Also, for the civil engineers out there, the original shops were constructed ready to take additional floors above, and this had to be verified as pat of the Planning process. Click on the Current Projects tab to find out more about the Halvi hostel, and for more about this latest Break the Cycle initiative download the brochure or the "tri-fold" leaflet then please get involved! To understand the difference the hostels make, late 2019 (just before Covid!) over 20 of the Bellary hostel “alumni” from 2001-2010 returned to meet meet-up again, to share their experiences with the boys currently at the hostel, give them gifts and play them at volleyball! They told of how the hostel had transformed their lives – with many now in professional roles for example in IT or banking – young men who would otherwise still be day-labourers. What a great inspiration! A further (smaller) visit by "alumni" and reunion took place in August 2022 to encourage the lads, "honour" and say thank you to the hostel warden who was moving on from his role after about 10 years. |
Street view of the Bellary shops built in 2005
Roof-top location for the proposed office construction in Bellary, above the shops
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