Sponsored school seriously damaged by large earthquake

Sunday 25 September 2011

On 19 September the Himalayan town of Darjeeling and its surrounding area was hit by a 6.8-magnitude earthquake, the epicentre of which was in the nearby Indian state of Sikkim. Several people were killed.

The photograph was taken during one of John’s visits to St Mary’s School and is of young students in the school assembly hall.

An hour’s drive along a road badly damaged by the recent annual monsoons is St Mary’s School, deep among the tea estates. John Casson has been sponsoring the school through his company Securewest International for the past ten years.

The school’s new primary section building, which provides facilities for 150 pupils and was opened only eighteen months ago, has been badly damaged. Fortunately, no one was injured and the building has been declared safe to reuse, although major repairs are needed.

‘Almost ten years ago to the day since we started supporting the school, and this happened – an earthquake to mark the anniversary,’ said John. ‘Thankfully no one was killed. I have just received the estimate for the repairs, and they will be about £18,000 – a large amount in this area of India, where there is 75% unemployment and poverty.’

John is launching an appeal to help raise the money. If you can help in any way, please contact him.