It is May and a very busy time in the FEAST office! There are currently almost 3000 children and nurses receiving support, many of whom live in remote areas with little or no access to banks or postal services. It is for this reason that the project gathers the youngsters together just twice a year, in May and December, to distribute their sponsorship money.

The children and nursing students are invited to the office in Nagercoil, where they are given a cheque to cover their 6 months sponsorship. It is also a time when the office staff can meet with the youngsters to ensure that they are still in full time education and that things are progressing well. FEAST is very strict in that any support stops immediately, should a child or nurse pull out of their education.

This sponsorship money is invaluable and is used to buy school books and uniforms; something that many very poor families simply can’t afford. For nursing students, the money pays for their tuition and accommodation costs while at college.

It is also a time when students who are coming to the end of their education, can write to their sponsors to express thanks for their support and to tell them about their exciting plans for the future.