Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Thanksgiving

We are pleased to invite everyone to join us for an authentic Thanksgiving meal!

Where: Portland Alehouse, Calle Salamanca, 10
When: Saturday, November 26th
Time: 1:30 PM
Price: Adults 13 and up: 18 euros
          Kids 3-12: 10 euros
          Kids under three are free

*Please note that this price includes most drinks, however alcoholic drinks will only include up to the equivalent of 1 glass of beer or wine per person.  Any additional alcoholic drinks can be purchased for a reasonable price at the bar.
The menu will include:
Turkey
Honey baked smoked ham
Potatoes and turkey gravy
Dressing made with ham and mushrooms
Sweet potato balls
Cranberry sauce
Peas
Carrots
Bread
 
The menu does not include dessert so we ask that each family bring a small, typically American or traditional Thanksgiving dessert to share.  Vanilla ice cream for the pies will be provided.

Please let us know if you think your kids might need a child menu option. We are assuming kids will be eating from this same menu, but if you would like yours to have a kiddie menu option let us know ahead of time so that it can  be arranged.

We need to know if you will be attending by Thursday. Although everyone is to pay at the door, we need to know your attendance ahead of time, Please RSVP to americanclubvalencia@gmail.com.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Autumn fundraiser

We were all very disappointed we were unable to celebrate Halloween together.  However, Andy would still love us to get together at his farm and it will also be a great way to raise money for his project in India.  Please see the previous entry for details on this project.  To raise money he will be selling Hamburgers and all proceeds will directly go to Rural Association for Integrated Development (R.A.I.D). 
Below you will find all the details for the event and it will take place rain or shine!  We hope to see you all there.
Join us for an  
Autumn Fundraiser

When: Saturday, November 12thth 2011 at 6:00pm

Where:  Andy’s Farm
Directions are as follows:

From Castellon take AP 7 towards Valencia and get off at the exit for Ademuz /Feria (the first one after Bétera).  Bear immediately to the right towards Ademuz. And keep straight on the autovia towards Ademuz and Lliria.
Exit at Olocau and Marines (Exit A25). 

From Valencia take the CV-35, the Pista de Ademuz, straight to Lliria.
Exit at Olocau and Marines.

From both directions (Castellon and Valencia) once at the turn off mentioned above follow that road (passing on your right the Parque San Vicente) and also passing Marines on your left where there is a roundabout with a petrol station. Keep straight on towards Olocau.  You will pass the polideportivo on your right. At the next roundabout turn right towards Más de Capellá and follow the dirt track for 1 km until you come to the farm on your right. There is a big drawing of pigs on the wall.

Very Important:  We are very thankful and fortunate that once again Andy MacLeod is hosting the party this year at his farm.  Andy´s farm is completely disease-free
so it is very important that we obey his 2 requests:
·        We must stay in the designated area for the party. No wandering off to see
the pigs.
·        Everybody must wipe their feet, children and adults on a non-toxic sponge
pad before entering the farm. Therefore, do not wear sandals, Your feet will
get wet.
  
                                                       What to Bring: 
  • As we mentioned Andy will be cooking up some delicious burgers to raise money for a good cause.  We will be having a pot luck dinner as well.  Please bring a covered dish of any item to be shared per family of 4/5.  You are welcome to bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert. If you are inviting anyone to the party please make sure they bring a covered dish as well.  Please provide a serving utensil for your dish if needed.

  • We have bought chocolate and galletas for smores. Anyone wanting to make smores please bring marshmallows.  They can be bought at the Carrefour.   

  • Please bring a bottle of soda pop, a brick of juice and or water.  Please bring all drinks chilled to share. If you wish to drink alcohol you are also welcome to bring your own.

  • Because we have limited chairs you may want to bring your own and are welcome to bring a folding table as well to be used.

  • Although not a Halloween party we would love to see all in costume.  Prizes will be given for best adult and child costume.


Price:  In addition to the price of the hamburgers there will be a 1 euro charge per person in order to cover the basic expenses (plates, utensils, ice, ect...).   We will have a box provided for that purpose and please ask that you remember to drop your 1 euro there. 

RSVP by e-mail at americanclubvalencia@gmail.com  We will need to know not only how many will be attending but if you will be bringing a side item, appetizer or dessert.  


We look forward to seeing you all there!

RURAL ASSOCIATION FOR INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT (RAID)


RURAL ASSOCIATION FOR INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT (RAID) is a charitable organisation that was established in 1986 in Hosur, a region near Bangalore, which is part of the State of Tamil Nadu in South India.

In 2001 Mr Leonard Ramsamuj a British National who lived in Crouch End, North London, bequeathed a sum of money to be used for the development of marginalised sections of society in India, particularly for development work among women and children. His bequest was donated to RAID who managed the projects listed below.

Between 2001 and 2007 RAID managed two projects, Ramsamuj Centre for Development of Children (RCDC) and Ramsamuj Women’s Empowerment Programme (RWEP).

Under RCDC a children’s home for 20 was established and under RWEP a project for 17 women who were chosen from the local community. These women were assisted in securing a loan from the bank to purchase land and were supported in building a small house for their families.

It is pertinent that all of these families came from two particular castes of people – the Kuravars (nomads who earned their living doing body tattoos) and Erulars (snake charmers). Both these caste of people had over the years lost their livelihood due to changes in the way society was developing and also changes in law relating to snakes becoming protected species under Indian law.
RWEP was a successful project and achieved the aim of establishing 17 houses for the women over the years, some of whom have now built an extension to their original one roomed house. An outreach worker employed by RAID continues to provide support to these women in establishing self-help groups, literacy programmes and health programmes.

Up until 2006 both these projects were solely funded by the interest from the bequest of 102.000€ (£88,000) made by the late Mr Ramasmuj. However, in 2006 the original house where the children were living became unfit for habitation and new land was bought and a home built for 20 children, with the support of money raised from several private donors and a small bequest from the late Mrs Ramasamuj. In 2008 the new building was opened. In 2009 a second floor was added creating space for 10 more children. This was done with the support of one private donor who undertook to support these 10 extra children for a period of 10 years.
Prasanth Siruvar Illam (translated as Prasanth Home for Children) was established in 2009 as a home for 30 children between the ages 5-18.Almost all the children are from one parent families where they were exposed to domestic violence, alcohol abuse or too poor to be able to afford to send them to school.
The Children’s Home is managed by a committee made up of unpaid voluntary workers, whose president Mr Yesupadam lives on the premises. He is supported by a live in warden and a cook and also by two outreach workers.
                               
Children attend the local primary and secondary schools. Parents and Guardians are invited to the home to visit their children regularly.

Total annual cost of maintaining each child is around 300€ (£265). There are no extra administrative or other costs, so all money donated goes directly to the project. Annual accounts are audited and freely available as RAID works on a policy of total transparency.

So far no extra funding has been needed, other than when the land was purchased and the building extended to include 10 extra children. However, recently it has become apparent that further funding is necessary in order to continue to support these children and offer them a reasonable standard of living and to help them through further education.

A number of specific requirements are now urgently needed:

  1. At present children sleep on rush mats on the tiled floor. Over the last few years the climate has become successively wetter and some of the children are now suffering health problems for this reason. It is hoped to provide bunk beds and mattresses as soon as possible. Each bed will cost 92€ (£80) and each mattress 30€ (£27). The total cost for all children will be 2440€ (£2130).
  2. At present each child has a small box or suitcase in which to keep their clothes and personal belongings, which are housed on shelves in the bedrooms. Many of these are broken and need urgent replacement. It is hoped to purchase a small tin trunk for each child, which can be stored underneath the bunk beds. Each trunk will cost 8€ (£6.50), the total cost being 245€ (£213).
  1. Raid was previously owner of a car which became unroadworthy and had to be scrapped. At present Mr. Yesupadam uses his own private and very small car in cases of emergency. He is, however, by law, unable to claim any expenses for its use, a considerable problem since he is also unpaid. A new vehicle is urgently needed to transport the children when necessary and it is hoped to purchase an eight seater “people mover”: A suitable petrol driven car will cost 6850€ (£6000) and a diesel driven car 11450€ (£10,000). In India diesel fuel is roughly half the cost of petrol, so clearly a diesel car would be more cost efficient.
  2. In 2013 two children are hoping to start university which will cost 535€ (£465) each per year. By law the children must leave the home when they reach 18 and it is hoped to establish a fund to ensure continued support in their future life, be it further education, marriage, employment or housing.
In summary, apart from the normal running costs of the home, a further 14.000€ (£12,500) will be urgently needed over the next two years. If you feel you can help, at whatever level, be it a one off donation or a commitment to regular giving, your donation will be very gratefully received. Please be assured that 100% of donations will be used directly for the project – none will be deducted for administration, advertising or any other extra cost. For corporate donations photographs of the project can be provided, including company logos if required. If you would prefer to assign your donation towards a particular purpose this can be arranged or if you would like to support a specific child in their further education and maintain contact with them, this too will be possible. All donors who provide names and contact information will be regularly updated on the progress of the project and the use of their money.
Donations can be made by transfer to the following accounts:

Spain: Andrew Stewart Macleod (RAID) 00303105980000557271
UK:     S.C.Jacob (RAID) Sort code:55-50-21 A/c 69499624

Cheques:
“Andrew Stewart Macleod (RAID)”          “Shantini Jacob (RAID)”
       Dr. A S MacLeod                                      Ms. Shantini Jacob
       Buzón 109                                                  82 Vallance Road
       Urb. Pedralvilla                                                 London
       46169 Olocau                                                   N22 7UG
       Valencia                                                            England
       Spain

If you would like to talk to us we can be contacted on:
Valencia (Andrew) 615307813-macleod.pigtraining@gmail.com
London (Shanti) 07939093459-shanti@pobox.com

Please do be sure to let us know your contact details so that we can keep you up to date with the project.