October 2014 notes from Jean

Karunai Illam Trust 0 1894

Notes from Jean since arriving at Nilakottai in late September 

9 October 2014 

On the 24th September, the film crew; Gerard and Jan and I arrived in Nilakottai to show the film to the children. A screening in our school across the road was arranged for the next day: the 25th which happens to be our Anniversary Day. It went very well indeed, the Illam people...

Aunty and the Star People

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Filmmaker Gerard Smyth has completed this outstanding full-length documentary about the life of Jean and her work with the children. It is screening in the NZ International Film Festival in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Nelson, Hawkes Bay, Tauranga and Hamilton.

Building Progress Update

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The new Girl's Hostel Building in Nilakottai, Tamil Nadu, is now in its final stages of development. The building is looking great! Some great looking pictures are shown below, and more pictures are available. Next steps are to equip the building, including dining hall, purchase of vessels, and to get ready for the girls to move in.

Rieko Woodford-Robinson Prints For Sale

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For a brief time we have a wonderful collection of Giclée prints for sale donated by local Wellington artist and long term Karunai Illam supporter, Rieko. Influenced by pop surrealism and the Old Masters of the 17th century, Rieko's work has gained quite a following within Wellington.

Prints are available for sale in the online

First Flash from the Monsoon

Karunai Illam Trust 0 1683

It is six pm here and the first flash of lightening of the monsoon evening has just occurred and thunder is beginning to rumble. The sky has been sort of whitish all day which made me think we may not get rain tonight - but after all perhaps we might. We have had three days of night showers which is encouraging and the little red velvet 'rain puchees' are coming out.  Everywhere there are large puddles of water red brown pools in red land. Dazzling in the morning...

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