 AGRICULTURE
ICMC constantly looks
for opportunities for self-sufficiency. Over thirty acres of land
are cultivated with rice, vegetables and dahl. Thirty dairy cows
provide milk for the children. The agricultural workers have been digging
four wells and by the grace of God there is enough water due to
heavy rain. ICMC will be able to cultivate rice more this year. A
small 3-acre dam at the foot of the Yercaud mountains holds the
rain water running down from the mountain top during rainy season,
with stocked fish.
Future plans include a white pig farm, a goat farm, more vegetable,
fruit and peanut planting, and purchase of more land for
cultivation.
 HEALTHCARE
Consistent
healthcare for 1,600 children is always a challenge.
Currently, there is are "sick rooms" at the Promised Land, with two
onsite nurses. A nurse was recently hired at the rural Eden
Garden location for the 100 boys there. Because of more
resources, the nutrition and living conditions of the children have
improved, which contributes to better health for the children.
Current projects include an immunization program, hiring more
qualified medical staff on-site, continuing to improve living
conditions, sanitation, good health habits, and nutrition. The
eventual plans are to build an on-site clinic at the Promised Land
that would also be accessible for surrounding villagers and would
long-term turn into a hospital.
EDUCATION
 St Basil School:
Established in 1989, the 300-student English-medium primary school
caters to fee-paying children in Salem. It supports the school,
administrative staff of ICMC India, and orphans to attend.
St. Neva Miller
School: (Pictured left) Located at the Promised Land, the English-medium
primary and high school is open to fee-paying external students from
the surrounding villages, with about 70% orphans attending.
St. Graham
Staines School: Located at the Promised Land, the Tamil medium
schools educate almost 500 semi-orphans who also live at the
Promised Land and are supported by sponsors from developed
countries.
St. Grace Lilian
Teacher Training Institute: Opened in 2006, this government
and privately funded school of higher education is certified and
operating. Revenue from the 2-year school for a Teachers
Certificate will help support ICMC from fee-based students as well
as providing scholarship seats for qualifying orphan high school
graduates.
St. Grace Lilian
College of Education: With plans to open in 2007, this government and
privately funded school of higher education is awaiting
certification, pending inspections. This one-year school gives a
Bachelors in Education degree in addition to the Teaching
Certificate from the Teacher Institute, providing more opportunity
for the fee-paying students and scholarship orphan students.
Sponsor a child
to be a recipient of these projects.
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