Annual Report

2013-2014

The Good Shepherd Agricultural Mission

Banbasa, Uttarakhand, India
www.indianorphanage.com

INDEX
Letter From Our Director ........................................................................................................................ 3
Our Purpose ............................................................................................................................................ 4
About Us ................................................................................................................................................. 4
Our Promise ............................................................................................................................................ 5
Board Of Directors .................................................................................................................................. 6
Registration Details ................................................................................................................................. 7
Contact Details ........................................................................................................................................ 8
Statutory Auditors................................................................................................................................... 8
Banking Institutions ................................................................................................................................ 8
Funding Sources ...................................................................................................................................... 9
Foreign Contribution ............................................................................................................................... 9
Expenditure Of Funds ........................................................................................................................... 10
Orphanage And Childcare Project......................................................................................................... 12
Maxton Strong School Project .............................................................................................................. 18
Vocational Training Project ................................................................................................................... 25
Agricultural Projects.............................................................................................................................. 28
Volunteer Project .................................................................................................................................. 33
Disaster And Flood Relief ...................................................................................................................... 37
Leprosy Mission .................................................................................................................................... 39
List Of Employees .................................................................................................................................. 40
List Of Volunteer Staff, Volunteers And Advisors ................................................................................. 40
Our Location.......................................................................................................................................... 41

Page 2 of 42

LETTER FROM OUR DIRECTOR

Dear friends,
The history of our organization is rooted in the idea of transformation, the belief that
individuals can make a difference in the world around them. We have had an incredible year this year
and it is my hope that this report will help you, our supporters, to get an overview and a better
understand of what it is that we do here each day. Take a look at the work we do and I believe you
will come to see the lasting impact we are making both with individuals and the larger community.
There have been so many wonderful happenings here, huge developments, like our new school, which
are pushing us on towards our goal of self-sustainability, construction of new buildings, renovations,
the purchase of a new generator and much, much more.
I want to publically extend my appreciation to all our hard-working staff and Board Members who
strive each day to accomplish the good work here. Without their hard work, sacrifice and persistence
we would not be able to function as an organization. I also want to make special mention to our
volunteers, many of whom become close friends while having a lasting impact on the work that we
are doing here.
The transformation that we are seeking to make here in India is a long, hard and arduous task, but is
also one that I feel The Good Shepherd Agricultural Mission will achieve. The journey ahead of us is
sure to be full of challenges, but as we look to the future, our vision remains clear. We will provide a
home to the homeless and hope to the hopeless.
Warwick G. Shipway
Director

Warwick Shipway, Director, The Good Shepherd Agricultural Mission

Page 3 of 42

OUR PURPOSE
The Good Shepherd Agricultural Mission works each day to bring hope and healing to vulnerable
people in India. While our primary function is the care of needy children, particularly those who have
become orphaned, it is not all that we do. We work hard with local community members to uplift all
who are struggling: widows, lepers and those who are challenged with disabilities.
In partnership with our supporters and volunteers, we are able to bring both physical and emotional
healing to many across India through our various projects. The change we are making is a long-lasting
one and will ripple through generations.
Much of the work of the GSAM is self-funded through income-generating ventures such as our farm
and school. We also endeavor to purchase supplies in bulk at wholesale rates to increase our savings.
Self-sustainable living is a huge part of what we do.

Rick & Clifton Shipway with some of the children

ABOUT US
The Good Shepherd Agricultural Mission is a non-profit society reaching out to a hurting world. We
serve the poor and displaced through programs that help to save lives, bring hope and restore dignity.
This assistance is given without regard to religious beliefs, gender, caste or ethnic background.
The mission was founded in 1948 by Rev. Maxton Strong and his wife, Shirley. After the death of Mr
Strong in 2003, the work was taken over by his son-in-law Warwick Shipway (current Director) and his
grandson Clifton Shipway (current Deputy Director).
The primary work of the GSAM is the care and support of many orphaned and abandoned children
from all over India. The mission is also involved in many other endeavors including the running of a
large school, vocational training projects, agricultural projects, disaster relief projects, a leper colony,
workshops and more.

Page 4 of 42

OUR PROMISE
Our promise to the world is summarized in a 6 fold promise:

To honor God, creator of all things, above all else that we do

and to serve Him with the very fullness of our being.

To always remember that every childs life is priceless and to put

the needs of the children above our own.

To uphold the highest ethical standards in our work and to be

honest and accountable in our reports about those we help.

To recognize that none of our work is possible without the

support of our donors, friends and volunteers.

To work in partnership with other organizations, respecting the

Indian culture and empowering local citizens to make a real
difference in the community.

To show the world that every child, regardless of their needs,

deserves to experience love and to be treated with dignity and
care.

Page 5 of 42

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The following people make up the Board of Directors as of 31st March 2014:

Philanthropist

Area of
Competency
Agriculturalist

Meetings
Attended
100%

Dep. Director

Administrator

Administration

100%

Secretary

Agriculturalist

Non-Profit Sector

100%

30

Treasurer

Childcare
Worker

Childcare

100%

Simeon Karada

34

Member

Teacher

Administration

50%

Josie Singh

68

Member

Agriculturalist

Agriculturalist

100%

Paula Karada

39

Member

Childcare
Worker

Childcare

50%

Name

Position

Age

Sex

Warwick Shipway

61

Director

Clifton Shipway

29

Eugene George

35

Priscilla Shipway

Occupation

Rick
Shipway

Clifton
Shipway

Eugene
George

Priscilla
Shipway

Simeon
Karada

Josie
Singh

Paula
Karada

Note: The Board met twice between April 1st, 2013 and March 31st, 2014: 23-07-2013 and 04-09-2013.
Minutes of the Board meetings have been documented in the Minutes Book and copies have been
circulated as appropriate. No remuneration, stipend, reimbursement, sitting fee or any other form of
compensation is paid to any Board Member.

Page 6 of 42

REGISTRATION DETAILS
Below are the details of our organizations registration:

Societies Registration Act

Registration Number: 14/1952-1953 (Champawat,
Uttarakhand)

Foreign Contribution Regulation Act 2010

Registration Number: 136620006 Dated 08/03/1985

Income Tax Act

Permanent Account Number: AAATG3113G

Uttarakhand Education Department

Registration Number: 554-55/2010-2011

Saloni & Shavani

Page 7 of 42

CONTACT DETAILS
Address:

Strong Farm
PO Banbasa
Dist. Champawat
Uttarakhand, India, 262310

Telephone:

Fax:

+91 5943 263032

+91 5943 263901
+91 5943 263225
+91 5943 263097

office@IndianOrphanage.com

www.IndianOrphanage.com

facebook.com/IndianOrphanage

www.twitter.com/IndianOrphanage

STATUTORY AUDITORS
JKK & ASSOCIATES
(Chartered Accountants)

41 Vinobapuri, Lajpat Nagar II

New Delhi 110024

BANKING INSTITUTIONS
State Bank Of India
Bank Of Baroda
Standard Chartered Bank

- Sharda Road, Tanakpur, Uttarakhand

- Main Market, Banbasa, Uttarakhand
- Express Towers, New Delhi

Education is a huge focus for us

Page 8 of 42

FUNDING SOURCES
Funding for The Good Shepherd Agricultural Mission and its projects is received from the following
sources:

Income Derived From Agricultural Sales

Income Derived From School Fees & Misc. School Activities
Domestic Donations From Indian Nationals
Foreign Contribution
Miscellaneous Investments & Other Such Activities

Income Received In 2013-14

0.4%
Foreign Contributions

3%
18%

Agricultural Income
School Fees & Misc.

15%
64%

Domestic Contributions
Miscellaneous & Investments

FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION
All foreign contribution has been received from/through:

Warwick G. Shipway, Australia

Clifton Shipway, Australia
STEER Incorporated, Australia
Christian Aid, USA

Page 9 of 42

EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS
A large percentage of our expenditure this year has been investment into our buildings, fixed assets
and infrastructure. Much has also been used in the continued construction of our New School facility
and purchase of a new backup generator.

Payments Made In 2013-14

1%

Agriculture Expenses -12%

2%

10%

Orphanage Expenditure -12%

12%

School Project -12%

6%

12%

Indirect Expenses -29%

Asset: School Building -16%

16%

12%

Asset: New Generator -6%

Asset: Furniture & Fixtures -2%

29%

Asset: Computers & Tech -1%

Asset: Other Assets -10%

Our new backup power generator

Page 10 of 42

ORPHANAGE AND CHILDCARE PROJECT

Page 11 of 42

ORPHANAGE AND CHILDCARE PROJECT

There are approximately 85 orphaned and abandoned children on the mission, ranging from new-born
to young adults. These children come from all over the nation, though the vast majority are from
Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. These children are the very heart of our organization and everything
that we do; our school, fundraising, farming is to support them.

GENERAL HOSTEL LIFE / PLAY-TIME

Our kids are a part of our family and we strive to make sure that each one receives the love and
attention that he/she deserves. Children are given 3 meals each day as well as morning and afternoon
tea (and the occasional snacks such as ice-cream, chips, sweets and the much favored gol-guppa).
Each hostel has a staff member (or staff family) that looks after kids within. We endeavor to make
sure that each hostel feels more like a home; kids are given separate rooms, beds, possessions, and
furniture among other things. The children are separated into the following hostel groups in
accordance with their ages:

Ages 0-10

Boys Aged 10-14

Girls Aged 10-14

Nursery

Small Boys

Small Girls

Boys Aged 14+

Girls Aged 14+

Big Boys

Big Girls

Our children are also given plenty of freedom: room to grow and express themselves as individuals,
artists, musicians, gardeners or just as kids! We have large open play areas where children can be
found playing throughout the day. Many of our older children also go for walks to the nearby jungle
and river to experience the beauty of the natural surroundings there. Craft activities, games, painting
and cooking are a part of day-to-day life here for our kids.
We have a digital projector which is used to show the children movies (or sometimes used by
volunteers to teach our children). In the living room of our main building, which we call Strong House,
is a huge library of books that the kids read to each other (and volunteers) every day. Our new
computer lab is also readily available for our children.
Meals are eaten as a family in our Dining Room where children, staff and volunteers eat the same food
together, though staff and older hostel groups (Big Boys & Big Girls) eat their evening dinner in their
homes/hostels.

Page 12 of 42

Many of the kids keep pets, especially rabbits, chickens and the occasional puppy. They also enjoy
fishing in the local rivers and creeks and often will keep fish caught as pets. Some of our older boys
built a new chicken cage in the workshop this year using some left over building materials and now
we are planning to expand on that and actually have an aviary for all of our kids to enjoy.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR CHILDREN

All of the children attend school in Maxton Strong School where they receive great English-based
teaching by our staff. Tuitions are held almost every day and they also participate in
additional/vocational training in areas like computers and swimming. The older children participate in
additional training programs in the following fields:

Electronics

Carpentry

Mechanics
(Diesel/Petrol)

Farming / Dairy
Farming

Cooking &
Homecare

Childcare

Sewing,
Mending &
Crochet

Driving
(Tractors,
Motorbikes,
Vehicles etc)

Welding &
Production

Masonry

Training for the older girls is held in a much more traditional sense as the girls rotate on a roster from
one area to the next each week i.e. Head Cook, Housekeeper, Dishes, Nursery, Laundry, Baker etc.
The boys training is less formal and they are given the opportunity to select which area of training
they wish to undertake and spend a significant time in that field.

Lessons underway in the workshop

Page 13 of 42

FEMALE FETICIDE AND ABANDONMENT

Female feticide is the act of aborting a fetus because it is female. This is a major social problem in India
and has cultural connections with the dowry system that is ingrained in Indian culture, despite the fact
that it has been prohibited by law since 1961.
In India a strong preference for sons over
daughters exists, unlike in Western cultures.
People realize smaller family sizes with relatively
greater number of sons through the use of medical
technologies. Pregnancies are planned by
resorting to 'differential contraception' contraception is used based on the number of
surviving sons irrespective of family size. Following
conception, fetal sex is determined by prenatal
diagnostic techniques after which female fetuses
are aborted.

Gender Breakup Our Children

40%
60%
Male
Female

Fetal gender determination and gender-selective abortion by medical professionals has grown into a
INR 1,000 crore industry (US$244 million). This mind-set also applies to the abandonment of children
and is reflected in the male : female ratio of children in our orphanage. The Good Shepherd
Agricultural Mission is working with local communities on an individual level to discourage Female
Feticide and all other gender-based discrimination.

Pinky & Kelly, two of our Small Girls

Page 14 of 42

SMALL GIRLS HOSTEL PROJECT

Last year we demolished one of our oldest buildings which was being used as a Girls Hostel. The
building was constructed in the early 1960s and was made up of mud brick walls, cement floors and
asbestos sheet roofing. The building was becoming too much of a liability for anyone to reside in as
the walls were quite literally falling apart.
After much discussion and planning, construction of our new Small Girls Hostel began at the site late
in the year. This new building will be a great asset to our organization and will contain the following:

Accomodation For 25 Orphan Girls

Bathroom & Shower Block
TV & Games Room
Storage & Godams
Staff Accomodation For Hostel Parents (second floor)
As our children watch the new building being constructed before their eyes, there is an air of
excitement as they look forward to enjoying the new facilities it will bring. We plan to make the roof
12ft high which will make it the highest roof on the mission. High ceilings make the rooms much cooler
during our hot summer months where electricity supply can be limited.

Eugene and Rick preparing the site for construction

Page 15 of 42

SWIMMING
Last year we started our official swimming lessons and we continued it this
year. Our swimming coaches gave our children training using the lesson
plans and curriculum set out by uSwim Australia. Basic water safety,
underwater techniques, swimming strokes and diving were covered as a
part of the program and all of our children did extremely well.
Summer months can regularly see temperatures in excess of 45C in the middle of the day. At times
like these, a swim can be a huge relief. From youngest to oldest, all of our children are given chances
to swim -generally twice a day during school holidays and once when school is in session.
Our pool is just a large concrete tank which we fill with natural water from underground. The water
is then pumped out and sent to the fields where it is used to water the crops. We dont use any
filtration or chemicals and as a result the pool must be emptied and scrubbed every 3-4 days.
Most people in our local area do not know how to swim. Our area is prone to flooding each monsoon
and the inability to swim leaves many people in extremely difficult situations. Our hope is that our
children will not only be equipped with a skill that will be useful for their whole lives, but also that
they will have a lot of fun along the way.

Ikindar enjoying a swim in our pool

Page 16 of 42

MAXTON STRONG SCHOOL PROJECT

Page 17 of 42

MAXTON STRONG SCHOOL PROJECT

Education is not all about studying and getting good marks. It is really a means to
discover new things and increase our knowledge. We believe that education is a
rope that will free our children from the pit that society has cast them into. A huge
percentage of our focus and effort goes into ensuring a good education for our
orphaned children.
As part of this process The Good Shepherd Agricultural Mission runs a small school on its compound.
The school has been registered and functioning since 2010. Over the last few years it has undergone
huge growth as the local people recognize not just the quality of the education but the hearts of those
who are teaching. Classes are delivered in English mediumthough specific Hindi classes are
maintained.
Initially started just for our orphan children, the school has now opened its gates to the public and we
have a student body of just over 400. The income generated through school fees is used to pay for the
educational expenses of the orphan children, school upkeep and teachers & staff wages.
Our older boys and girls are given an opportunity to help out in the school as teachers aids and also
helpers on the school buses. In fact, several of our current teachers were once mission children
themselves and have now chosen to work in our school so as to sow back into the organization that
helped them.

Maxton Strong School students

Page 18 of 42

NEW SCHOOL FACILITY

The single biggest project in our organizations history has finally come to completion through the
construction of our New School Facility. The new school building has 14 classrooms, a staff room,
offices, labs and a large courtyard.
Our journey to build this new facility has been a long one. It was a dream of our previous director Mrs
Maxine Shipway in 2004 and construction started back in 2009. Through the help of hundreds of
volunteers from all over the world as well as the staff and children of the Good Shepherd Agricultural
Mission, we have finally been able to open our new facilitys doors this year!
It would not be fair for us to enjoy it without saying thank you to the many hands that worked to
make this place what it is. Special mention should be given to the wonderful people at Door-Of-Hope
Christian Church in Launceston where many of our supporters come from, as well as many other
individuals from Launceston, Tasmania who volunteered, supported, prayed and encouraged us along
the way.
We personally want to thank John Poxon & Henry Dubbled who were here with us when we kickstarted the project back in 2009 and have stuck by our side encouraging us from day one. Our
electricians; Aaron Leslie, Luke Hesketh & Tony Streefland as well as our plumbers Loucas Stott, Trevor
Wilmott & James Wilmott also played a key role in the construction process.
We also have had several donations through our website to help us purchase computers, furniture
and of course the general construction of the school. We want to thank each person who was involved
with them.
Finally, but most importantly, we want to thank God; it is only through his grace and his amazing
provision that we have been able to build this new school. All glory and all praise belong to Him and
Him alone. We look forward to providing many wonderful years of service to the people of Banbasa.

Opening the New School Facility

Page 19 of 42

Maxton Strong School foyer bustling

Assembly underway in the new facility

Page 20 of 42

Maxton Strong School Staff & Workers 2014

One of the new classrooms

Page 21 of 42

THE SCHOOL
Our school is quickly becoming known as one of the best schools in the local area. We offer a quality
and service that is unparalleled; our sports and activities program are beyond comparison and
additional features offered to staff and parents also help to set our school apart -features such as:

Computerized
Reports

Electronic
Library

Online Results

SMS
Reminders For
Fees

Online Fee
Payment
System

Free
Swimming
Classes

Free Remedial
Classes

Free
Taekwondo
Classes

Filtered Water

Water Coolers

KINDERGARTEN
Our old school is in the process of being converted into a Kindergarten Facility for us to use next year.
This involves the demolition of several walls as well as many major repairs. This ensures that the old
building is not left dormant and also gives more room for growth in our new facility.

Nursery Students at Maxton Strong School

Page 22 of 42

SCHOOL DESKS CAMPAIGN

In early 2014 we launched our very first Indiegogo
Crowdsourcing campaign which we titled School Desks For
Orphans. Initially we hoped to raise just $4000 to help us
buy materials to make some much needed desks, but the
campaign quickly grew and by the end of the 45 day period
we had raised just under $42,000. Words cant express how
humbled we have been by people all over the world who
have chosen to join with our cause, supporting our children
and our school.
In the end, 621 people from 27 countries contributed. Nearly 70% of the money
came from the USA. Incredibly, our campaign ended up as the 56th highestfunded Community campaign of all time! This blows our collective minds and
warms our collective hearts. We made it into several mainstream newspapers
and radio stations as well as receiving more than 2800 shares on Facebook! The
whole experience has been fantastic; more information can be found on our
website here: www.indianorphanage.com/desks

School Desks For Orphans campaign

Page 23 of 42

VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROJECT

Page 24 of 42

VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROJECT

Vocational Training Programs is an area that we plan to expand heavily on over the coming years; at
the moment we are currently at work in two major areas:

COMPUTER CENTRE
Over the last few years we have been slowly investing in our computers and finally this year we have
been able to purchase enough computers to call our collection of machines a computer lab. Through
basic training programs and just general hands on experience, our staff and children have been
receiving computer training over the last year.
We plan to start an official course soon and open this up to the public to better utilize our machines
and program. We are currently in discussion with our Local/State Government regarding opening a
registered and affiliated polytechnic center. We hope to have this project off the ground within the
next 4-6 months if everything goes according to plan.
All of our computers use the latest software (Windows 7) and
thanks to the support of Typequick Australia, we have some of the
best typing software available on todays market. Our hope is that,
through the skills learned in this center, our children will be given
greater career & study opportunities.

Some of our boys in the Computer Lab

Page 25 of 42

SEWING CENTER
Thanks to the support of the Youth Expedition Project team from Singapore National University, we
have been able to construct our new Sewing Training Centre.
This center provides free training to local village women and empowers them to be able to generate
a regular and secure income for their households. Classes run by a local tailor operate both as a means
of instruction and also income generation for the students as they stitch simple items for shops from
the local market; pillowcases, bed-sheets, bags, sacks and curtains, just to name a few!
Classes run daily and currently there are around twelve village women who are attending in addition
to two of our staff ladies who also go along to learn. The tailor does an extremely good job and we are
very happy with the progress of the center.

Sewing classes underway in the Vocational Training Center

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF OPEN SCHOOLING

This year we have begun the process of becoming
affiliated with the National Institute of Open
Schooling. This affiliation will allow us to issue
nationally recognized certificates to our children
and others who complete training programs in
areas such as carpentry, typing, home-studies,
sewing, baking and electrical work. This is a huge
step forward for us and something that we hope will
soon become a reality.

Page 26 of 42

AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS

Page 27 of 42

AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS
Our agricultural projects play a big part in why we are able to do so much. Not only do we grow much
of our own food (we even make our own cooking oil), but we also are able to sell excess production
to generate much needed funds that can then be channeled into other areas. In this last year almost
all of our day to day expenses, including our staff and workers salaries were paid for by our agriculture
department through the sale of various produce.

MAIN FARM / GENERAL CROPS

We are fortunate to have a huge amount of land (about 50 acres) in which we can
grow crops. We grow a multitude of different things on this land but our main crops
are wheat and paddy (rice). We are normally able to get two separate rice crops in
each year and one crop of wheat. As well as this we grow a lot of mustard, dhal
(lentils) and soybean. Our farm is managed by a team of people and is a hive of
activity every day. A small video one of our volunteers put together of our wheat
harvest can be found on our website here: www.indianorphanage.com/wheat

Part of our wheat crop is harvested by hand

DAIRY FARM
We have around 45 cattle in our dairy which are raised to produce milk for our children; those who
dont drink milk get it in their morning porridge and chai (tea) throughout the day. All of our
impregnation is done by a local vet artificially. Our milk production is quite good and extremely cost
effective and the nutritional value for our children is obvious.

Page 28 of 42

TANAKPUR
We have another section of land that we have access to that is located in Tanakpur, a small town
about 12km away from our main compound. This property was previously used to run a school but it
was closed down over a decade ago. Since that time, the property has been mostly un-utilized and so
we have started using it to grow produce such as fresh vegetables, dhal and wheat.
There are major problems with rogue cattle, pigs and monkeys raiding crops, but even though the
returns are minimal they are still returns. Our hope is that we will be able to develop the property in
the future in a way in which it can be utilized to its maximum potential.

TRACTORS AND SPRAY TANKER

Our three tractors and spray tanker have been as busy as ever this year. Some of our income has been
as a result of sending these vehicles out into the local market on hire. More and more farms and
orchards in our area are turning towards the pressurized spray tank option rather than the traditional
backpack sprayer as its coverage is greater and the time taken to spray is reduced.

FISH TANKS
We have two large tanks on the mission that we use to grow fish. After some
major work early in the year, both tanks are now functioning very well. We
deepened both to around 6ft and also strengthened the sides of our northern
tank which had corroded away after years of use.
We have now started farming four different species of carp. These fish are used
to provide our children and staff with a semi-regular supply of meat. We put
together a small video based around our fish tanks first harvest this year and
put it up on our website here: www.indianorphanage.com/fish

Some of the fish from our fish tanks

Page 29 of 42

WORKSHOP
We have a small workshop on the property which is used to maintain our vehicles as well as for
fabrication purposes. Our workshop boys can and have made everything from window frames and
furniture right up to a hydraulic dumping trailer. We also look after our own plumbing and electrical
work.
We have a variety of tools in the workshop: a metal lathe, welders, grinders, drills, compressor you
name it. Because of our ability to produce so much on our own, our construction costs are reduced
significantly. We have plans to expand our workshop and open it up to the local public as an income
generating project. We hope that through opening up our workshop in this way we can move closer
to our goal of self-sustainability.
Some of our older boys also obtain training through the workshop, learning to
fabricate and also maintain, repair & service vehicles/pumps. Our current
workshop in-charge is a young man named Sunny who grew up in our hostels.
Sunny recently completed work on 120 desks for our School Desks For Orphans
campaign www.indianorphanage.com/desks

Sunny, one of our Older Boys, helps to manage the workshop

Page 30 of 42

FRESH PRODUCE
Over the last few years we have strategically reduced the amount of fresh produce (specifically
vegetables) that we grow on the farm and rather have turned our efforts towards a larger generation
of our base crops (wheat or rice depending on the season). Excess of these base crops is then sold and
the money is used to buy fresh local produce as required.
This has made our lives a lot easier as we can just focus on 2-3 crops at any given time (rather than 812 if we were planting different vegetables). Our fruit orchards are still in full swing; we have an
estimated 130 fruit trees around the mission of various varieties: mango, papaya, lychee, guava, pear,
plumb, banana & custard apple.
Mid-May sees the peak of our fruit crop start as lychees come
into season. Lychees are a tropical fruit and a big favorite among
everyone here on the mission. We have around 12 lychee trees
here on the mission that provide more than enough for
everyone during the heart of the season.
Shortly after the lychees are done the mango season begins. On years when we have bumper crops
our children can eat as many as 15 mangoes each per day and there are still hundreds to spare. We
make preserves, pickles, dried mango, mango curry and mango chutney but no matter how hard we
try the cows still end up getting plenty to eat themselves.

Dhiraj doing his best to pick some mangoes

Page 31 of 42

VOLUNTEER PROJECT

Page 32 of 42

VOLUNTEER PROJECT
A huge part of what we do is to encourage and inspire others to live not just for themselves but for
the betterment of others. Our free volunteering project has grown in leaps and bounds thanks to our
website, social media and networking. This last year we have seen a large number of volunteers and
visitors to the mission; just over 85 people volunteered with us between April 2013 and March 2014.
Volunteers help in a variety of areas throughout the mission. We are a community and we live, work
and play together as a family. There are opportunities for teachers, child care helpers,
practical/maintenance persons, nurses, accountants, you name it! Some of our best visitors have just
joined in that community by doing simple things like teaching our children to use a computer, read
stories, draw, paint, swim, dance, sing, play guitar/keyboard -the simple things often make the biggest
impact.
Many volunteers come from within India as well as from abroad and more often than not visitors
express a desire to return to the mission. Our kids are extremely accepting of everyone who comes to
spend time with them and friendships are often forged that last for years.
This year we had 3 young men come to help us with the electrical work in our school, a huge
undertaking thatwithout their helpwould have been a very big challenge for us. During their time
here many of our Older Boys and some of our staff had the opportunity to learn from them.
We had a visit from EMI to assist us in planning out our new water
system. Seven years ago we implemented a high pressure water
system here on the mission to replace around 10 independent gravity
fed systems that were around the place. The new system worked very
well for the last 6 years but due to some design flaws, sediment buildup
has almost completely blocked many of the pipes. The team from EMI
came out from Delhi to investigate the problem and help us to come
up with a long-term solution.

A visit from an Indian Harley Davidson motorcycle gang

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WEBSITE / SOCIAL MEDIA

A huge part of our volunteering process takes place online. We have endeavored to streamline the
process of volunteer applications by making the entire process in browser and through our website.
Potential volunteers are invited to fill in an application form, attach references, photos & resumes and
then submit their applications to us for checking.
Our staff deal directly with volunteers, eliminating the need for 3rd party organizations which we have
found often do not screen volunteers appropriately and occasionally charge huge administration fees.
This ensures that we only have visitors interacting with our children who are going to be the best
influences.
Through social networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter we have been able to connect
with the world like never before. Our Facebook page has over 7500 likes that is a lot of people who
are interested in what we do.
We also developed a new website for our school (www.maxtonstrong.com). This new website will
also operates as a portal to allow staff and parents to view students results, manage attendance,
communicate with the school and even pay fees.
Thanks to the help of volunteers we have also had a major overhaul to our orphanages website this
year (www.indianorphanage.com). The new website uses a content management system called
Wordpress and is significantly easier to update. We have also incorporated our own internal mail
system, volunteer applications and staff/volunteer blog into the website. Our hope is that this new
system will help to spread word of our work.

Our new website design

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YOUTH EXPEDITION PROJECT

One of our most memorable and notable volunteering trips
was from a team of 24 students from National University of
Singapore. The students came under the banner of Youth
Expedition Project and assisted us in some general repairs
and the construction/painting of our New School Facility
which is mentioned previously in this report.
While many members of the team painted the outside of the school others helped with landscaping,
construction of window frames and other odd jobs. During this time our older children worked
alongside the team and as a result many strong friendships were crafted.

The YEP Team helping prepare window frames for the new school

The team also conducted cultural exchange programs in which they taught our orphan children about
the culture of Singapore, teaching the kids games, songs, activities and even cooking for them. The
trip was so successful that we now plan to make it an annual occurrence and have different teams
come out from the University each year to volunteer with us.
Opening our home up to groups like the team from Singapore is a great experience for all of us,
especially our children. They are given an opportunity to interact with new people from different
cultures and this all helps to broaden their world view.

Page 35 of 42

DISASTER AND FLOOD RELIEF

Page 36 of 42

DISASTER AND FLOOD RELIEF

There is very little in the way of relief agencies in our area and so when disaster strikes people turn to
us for help. This last year, we saw horrible flooding in our area which claimed many lives. Our team of
volunteers assisted not just in providing food, accommodation and rescue but also post-disaster
support through means of construction/repair, removal of fallen trees and disposal of dead
animals/livestock to prevent the spread of disease.
Because of our proximity to the Himalayan mountains, monsoon rains and bad drainage, our area is
highly susceptible to flash flooding. Water levels can rise as high as 2m in just a matter of hours. It
doesnt even have to be raining here for the area to flood as rain is collected as it comes down from
the mountains.
In June this year, our state experienced Indias worst natural disaster since the 2004 tsunami.
Throughout the mountain area around us, heavy rainfall caused devastating flooding that left more
than 5700 dead. Many homes were destroyed and washed out roads meant that relief teams were
not able to get into some areas until several weeks later. During this time, our organization banded
together with local businesses in Banbasa to form a committee to provide relief to those in need.
Our Board Members Eugene George and Clifton Shipway worked hard to fill a truck with supplies,
rations, tarpaulins and clothing. The supplies were handed out to individuals affected by the floods in
some of the most remote regions, including people who had lost their homes, livestock and even
family members.

Flooding destroyed hundreds of bridges and roads

Page 37 of 42

LEPROSY MISSION

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LEPROSY MISSION
Leprosy is a bacterial disease that can lead to terrible deformities in patients. The disease itself is one
of the least infectious diseases mainly because nearly all of the population have natural immunity
against it. Nevertheless, stigma against the disease due to its disfiguring effects causes its victims to
be isolated and shunned. Patients are often cast out from their communities and forced to live in
separate colonies. The disease is now readily treatable and if done in the early stages of infection,
disability and disfigurement can be avoided.
According to the World Health Organization leprosy currently affects over a quarter of a million people
throughout the world and over 70% of these cases are in India. There is a huge reduction in numbers
thanks to treatments that are now available. Many NGOs are working steadily in India to totally
eradicate the disease a dream which is fast becoming a reality.
The Good Shepherd Agricultural Mission provides a home to seven different families suffering from
leprosy. Each patient has been treated, and though their leprosy is no longer infectious, their
disabilities are permanent. As a result, they are still cast out from their communities and society.
The mission provides these people with a home, rations, security and power/water. Two years ago we
completed construction of a brand new facility to provide them with a comfortable and clean place to
call home. Much of our farm produce is given to these people to allow them to live lives of dignity and
security. Inspite of our efforts, many still head into the local markets each day to beg from local
businessesas often there is very little else that they are able to do.

Leprosy can destroy lives

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LIST OF EMPLOYEES
The following is a list of employees & regular workers as of March 31st 2014:
AARTI DHYANI
ANISH SINGH RANA
ANJU ADHIKARI
ANOKEY LAL
ASHOKWATI SINGH
AVINASH KUMAR
BABITA CHAND
BENJAMIN CHAND
BIDIYA RAM
CHANDINI RENCONTRE
DEEP CHAND KAPRI
ESTHER KASHYAP
FRANKIE GEORGE
GANESH VARMA
GEETA TIWARI
GIRISH CHANDRA JOSHI
IRENE SINGH

HEMA LAL
INDIRI GEORGE
JANKI SINGH
KOMAL PRASHAR
KULLU SINGH RANA
KUNLI RAM
LAKSHMI DEVI
LUCY CHAND
MAHIPAL SINGH
MAYA CHAND
MICAH DAVID
MICHAEL JAMES
MUNA RAM
NEESHA RENCONTRE
NITESH CHAND RAJWAR
PARWATI DEVI
PHILLIP CHAND

PHYLLIS GEORGE
PURNIMA PAFFETT
RAJU RAM ARYA
RAMESH RAM
REETA CHAND
RENEE BASTIAN
RHODA CHAND
SHEPHALY RANA
SHYAM CHAND
SUDHAMA PRASAD
SUNITA CHAND
SUNITA JOSHI
SUNITA LAWRANCE
USHA KHOLIYA

LIST OF VOLUNTEER STAFF, VOLUNTEERS AND ADVISORS

The following is a list of official volunteers and pro-bono staff/advisors as of March 31st 2013:
INDIA
VIOLET STAGG
ANIL GEORGE
PEGGY GEORGE
ELSIE MARK

SUNIL MARK
STELLA SINGH
ROCHELLE MARK
SILVESTER THOMAS

AUSTRALIA
JOHN POXON

TREVOR WILMOTT

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

KATHLEEN SINGH RANA
SCOTT WUNDER

DAWNA WUNDER
JOHN MARSHALL

JOEY SINGH
JOHN BASTIAN
ARJUN SINGH RANA

CHRISTOPHER ENGLAND
ROHINI ENGLAND

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OUR LOCATION
The Good Shepherd Agricultural Mission is located in North India, right on the
border of Nepal, approximately 300km east of India's capital city Delhi. The small
town of Banbasa lies to the north-east around 1km away, and it is a further 10km
to the larger town of Tanakpur and the Nepal border.

Page 41 of 42

The Good Shepherd

Agricultural Mission

Home for the homeless

Hope for the hopeless

Head Office: Strong Farm, PO Banbasa, Dist. Champawat, Uttarakhand, INDIA 262310 Ph:05943263032,
9897637032, 9557111756 Fax: 05943263901
Email: office@indianorphanage.com Website: www.indianorphanage.com
School Website: www.maxtonstrong.com
Detailed accounts with schedules & Audited Report are available at Head Office. Also available online. The
Government of India has recognized The Good Shepherd Agricultural Mission as a non-profit organization.