Dear Sisters, friends, colleagues and anyone who reads our Shared Lives Website. Hello to you all, I wish you, on behalf of our Shared Lives Fundraising group a very PEACEFUL and HAPPY NEW YEAR.

As most of you will know the building of the new Don Bosco Educare Centre School was completed on the 16th December. The building of this school is part of a worldwide effort to enable the children of Delft to start their education, under the leadership of Sister Antonia and the teaching Staff. We are not only PROUD to help but feel very humble that we have been given the opportunity to enrich the
Children’s lives, as well as our own

That's the first part of my letter over, now let me say: Since Ian Johnson has been our PATRON things have changed. Our two musical events have been top class with sold out notices at both events, but the MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA held on the 4th November was such a wonderful night that the audience begged for more and so we will be having another Concert this year, along with lots of other events including (THE GARDEN PARTY) on the 2nd June. It doesn't matter how busy Ian is, he always has time for the children (even when he was working in Ethiopia in November the E-Mails kept coming!)

As Chairman of 'Shared Lives' I am amazed at the kindness of people from all walks of life and from all around the world. It seems that once people realise they can help, then they’re off doing the most wonderful things for the children in some way (yes!  I'm thinking of you Monica & Freidrich Koppmeier from Bocham.)   I'm also thinking of the Ward Family- Mum Veronica, Kathryn, Bernadette, and Jonathan - who by the way saved up his wages and worked as a volunteer on the Educare Centre. Jonathan came back a far more mature young man, chastened by the conditions he encounter in Delft, he wishes to thank Padraig McIntyre for his time out there and for his friendship.   

Compared to 'Streetwise' who's members actually constructed the school, our roles are different, we raise money to pay for the poorer children’s education, we help to pay for furniture, and all manner of things that make a school teaching 170 pupils, warm and welcoming and be able to function to the best possible standards, It's a gift!.

Lastly what exactly is a gift, is it given or received? Are we the gift? Are the children in Delft God's gift to us? I do know that to continue to work as we do with a good heart and commitment these questions will be answered in the fullness of time.

If anyone has a good idea or would like to raise money in any way PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DO SO.

I send you all my LOVE & GOOD WISHES for 2012

Harvey Forsythe