Summer 2008
GUITAR AID OFFICIALLY A CHARITY!
Not only have we the full weight of the Charity Commission behind us, but also the support of the Inland Revenue, in the form of Gift Aid. Anyone sponsoring a guitar, with gift aid, would allow us to give a padded guitar bag & a set of strings completely free! We have had several Trustee meetings & the feeling is very positive that we will see Guitar Aid moving forward as a result of this recognition. Later this year we are planning a celebration to mark the giving of the 2000th guitar, as well as gaining Charity status. We will give you details nearer the time.
K.G.F. INDIA
Early in 2007, I was approached by Pastor Roy David, who proposed to the West country AoG, that they should adopt Guitar Aid as their designated charity for the year. As a result of his efforts and enthusiasm, the region raised over £4000 for the work of Guitar Aid. It seemed only natural to ask him where he thought our work was needed most. India was his reply, so to India we went! We arrived at Bangalore to be greeted by Pastor Monovah Nickelson, who placed garlands of flowers around our necks to welcome us. This process was repeated several times during our stay. We drove 2 hours east to a town called KGF. This stands for Kolar Gold Fields. Most of the 300,000 people were dependant on the Gold mine for their livelihood. Seven years ago it was shut & has not reopened since. This has left an already poor area, in a desperate economic situation.
ORPHANAGE IN INDIA
Pastor Monovah is responsible for a Church of about 600 people, an orphanage of 110 Children and a Bible college of 50 students, training to be Pastors. A few years ago, he had been given a guitar , then it had been taken from him. “God will replace it with many more.” Someone said to him. Here we were, years later, fulfilling that prophecy! The children from the Orphanage put on a special show for us. This included, singing gospel songs, dance and mime. They performed this as if to an audience of hundreds, what a privilege to be there. After the performance, they all lined up to receive sweets that we had bought for them in the market. Such a small gift, but received with much appreciation. Such was the welcome we received, and the appreciation of the instruments we took, that I am sure we will visit India many more times.
Gaining Charity status, means that we can claim the tax back from anyone who signs a Gift Aid Declaration. We have included these with this newsletter. If you have given in the past, or may give in the future, we would love you to fill this in, so we can keep it in our records. This increase in your giving from the Inland Revenue, would be a great blessing. Earlier this year, Liz, Becky and I spent a week at the Orphanage in Romania, doing various activities with the children including face painting. We are now planning our next trip to Eastern Europe and we hope to visit Romania, Hungary, Croatia, and Moldova. If you would like to sponsor an instrument to go to one of these countries it would be very much appreciated.