Morning Star :

Another Visit
You could make a difference and Share with the children their Love and Joy.
 '9th February 2006, will be 18 Years Onward'
In the stillness of the blowing wind, on a day when the booming blasts of the surrounding quarries have stopped rumbling, when the skies are filled with dragonflies and a solitary hawk soaring in the turbulence of the gentle streaming winds, that is the ambiance of the rural areas of Bangalore. In this frozen laziness did I take a chance to visit Morning Star, to spend time with the children. This was also the day we Indians celebrate our Republic Day.

 There were many new surprises to be seen. John and Joy had not stopped being active and there was the fenced off area that enclosed turkeys, chickens, rabbits and all the wildlife that brings joy to the children. This had to be done because the birds were destroying the crops and leaves from the fruit trees. Mother hens with their little chicks, puppies bedded with the rabbits so that they will get to know the other livestock.

 The major change was the 'water irrigation system' for the fields. This system allows water to drip in a uniform manner for each plant so that there wouldn't be any waste of precious water. Initially it is expensive, but in the long run, this is important for the proper maintenance of the crops, and should pay for itself by the economic gains from the crop turnover.
Dear Reader, If you would like to fully sponsor (or even be a partner) this water system including the piping, labour and drainage, the total cost works up around Rs.40,000/-. You are most welcome to send a cheque (in Indian Rupees or equivalent Foreign Currency ) for the amount  only in the name of "Didier Charitable Trust", Surface Mail Address: Morning Star Learning Center, Survey # 146/3, Chagalatti Village, Jalahobli, Yelahanka, Bangalore 562149, you may also send a mail to for details of Bank Account or how to alternately send your sponsorship.
  Maintenance is a regular feature, as rural power supply sometimes damages the borewell pumps , at times leaving the residents stranded for water, somehow they survive and look for a brighter day! All this costs money!.

Here are a few pictures taken during that visit:

The"Fenced off"area that keep the rabbits, puppies, turkeys, hens and their chicks, pigeons together. The top is open so the pigeons can fly in a group and return to their boxes.
 Fencing






Check out the"Lovestock" around the Orphanage. I call them lovestock not livestock, as they are the pets of the children and add immense therapeutic value for them.

The"Water Irrigation System" , is located in the fields on the southern side of the campus .

Some of the "Vegetables" and"Fruit" that are harvested from the fields at Morning Star. These are used for their own consumption. Perhaps once the irrigation system is effective, perhaps they may be able to even grow some vegetables for the outside market.

A few of the children were engrossed in doing their homework , the challenged children were having lunch , Rex was barking and wanting to romp around the garden, and so it went on , and the day ended as it began, with the silence of the dusk bringing in the chorus of the crickets, the birds chuckle while they set down to roost. The lights are switched off one by one, silence into slumber the children go to bed one by one, until my next visit.

The next visit added to this page was on 25th Feb 2006.  The trees and the stone sculpture in the children's Park was painted white. As usual the software engineers came and played and taught the children, John was a little subdued because the loss of Krishna and missing Joy who was outstation. One can also see the scraggy trunk of an old tree, now used as a decoration in the Park.

Rajiv being trailed
maisy , children and john
Rajiv came with Maisy and myself and he took some pictures which he shares below:
john contemplating

murali
3 muskeeters
maisy
ronnie
the children's cots

On the 26th March 2006, a cousin Steshia Monserrette from Mumbai (Bombay) came to visit Morning Star with me, she unfortunately had a bit of a rough time reaching there as my bike gave me trouble shutting off every 50 to 100 meters, so on the return I was forced to take Joy's bike. The problem was simple, the petrol filter was blocked! A few photos were taken as I was quite worried about the reaching back home!
Dan took Steshia around the campus.
Steshia

Rex





I finally caught up with Rex who has grown so big and cannot sit still!!!
Some of these pictures can be found on the Visitors Page !

Cheers
Ronnie Johnson, 7th Feb 2006
ronniebangalore@gmail.com