2020

Lockdown - Covid-19

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2019

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Sunday, October 20th : Solidarity Indian meal. A delicious Biryani chicken prepared by Carti and Santhi. 87 people attended the meal.

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Monday, May 6th : Father John SAGAYA came to meet the members of the Association.

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Wednesday, May 1st : Helen and Ghislaine sell sprigs of lily-of-the-valley for the happiness of the Tamil children

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Friday, April 12th : Exhibition sale at Arradon.

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Friday, March 15th :  A conference about the castes in India today.

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Thursday, January 17th : Ordinary general Assembly. The association has 86 members. It supports the schooling of 48 young people.

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2018

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Exhibition sale : Saturday 24th November

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Solidarity meal : Sunday 15th October

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Solidarity race of SFX's High school : Monday, March 26th

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Exhibition sale : on Wednesday, March 21st

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A conference about India today - film and debate : on Friday, March 16th

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Theater : "la pièce à côté" by Termaji on Sunday 28th january

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Ordinary general Assembly, January 18th

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2017

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Exhibition sales:  on Saturday, November 25th in the parish hall of Vannes’ Cathedral

                                             on Monday, November 27th on the market place of Auray.

                                             on Thursday, November 30th in the Super U gallery of Arradon.

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What do these exhibition sales represent?

 

Since 2009, our association has been ensuring the schooling, from primary school to University, for 46 young orphans from Tamil Nadu. On a recent trip we could meet most of them, which was so joyous and emotional! Some had completed their studies and started working in accounting, computing, education or mechanics. Thanks to your free participation in these exhibition sales you enable the association to continue its work with these young people.

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Radio Larg  on Wednesday October25th

With Christophe and Bernard, the association participated in a « Radio Larg’“ programme . An opportunity which enabled them to relate  the action of the association and to recall  their  meetings on their recent trip to Tamil Nadu.

 

​The forum of associations on Sunday September 9th

Once more, the association participated in the forum of associations. A chance for meetings and discoveries. A nice looking booth held by numerous volunteers showed the different actions carried out by ABH South India.

 

A storage bag for your yoga mat 

A great thank to Hélène, Cécile and the « little bees » of the Wednesday workshop for this original idea, for the time spent to make these coated fabric bags with the greatest care for the benefit of ABH South India.

A great thank to Nathalie, a yoga teacher at Arradon and Pontivy, who spontaneously passed on the information to her pupils and invested in the success of this project.

A great thank to those who responded favorably and acquired these bags to protect their floor mats.​

An individual initiative and a collective action, the result of which is entirely dedicated to the schooling of eight girls and young women in the village of Panchalam, in the North of Tamil Nadu, whose families are in a particularly precarious situation. The Panchalam care center, run by the congregation of the sisters St. Joseph of Cluny welcomes patients with AIDS and leprosy. Those patients’ children are supported by ABH South India. The 125 bags enable to pay for the schooling, uniforms, housing and food of these 8 children during a school year.

In Tamil Nadu the school year begins on June 1st, this aid comes at the right time. A big thank to all those who participated in this project.

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Two evenings –film and debate- on March 9th and 30th

The benefit of these evenings was paid in full to support an action undertaken,  under the responsibility of Sister Karuna, to help the widows of Tranquebar in Tamil Nadu.

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The life of Dalits today

 The Dalits that used to be called the untouchables are considered impure and polluting and are therefore excluded and isolated from the rest of society. This documentary shows the difficulties they are facing and the actions taken to change attitudes and improve their living conditions.

 

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India, the country who didn’t like women

A gripping documentary, revealing 4 situations women have to face: female infanticide, domestic violence, rape and widowhood. About 50 people attended this evening organized by ABH South India, as part of its cultural activities in order to discover the various aspects of Indian society. A film that shows how heavy and deep-rooted tradition and attitudes are in a patriarchal society that clings to its power.

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An ordinary General Assembly on January 19th

During this Assembly the projects for India have been specified particularly  the continuation of the schooling of young boys and girls , the support to widows and the building of toilets in a primary school in Kalugumalai. And to complete these projects, many actions are planned here in Vannes and in the surroundings. You will be kept informed as they are carried out. Theater, Concert, Exhibition-Sales, Lecture-Debates, Charity Walk, Pastry Class. Don’t forget to have a look at the diary. You ‘ll find the information in the “2017 projects “page in the “who are we?” section.

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The General Assembly special session on January 19th

complemented  and modified 2 points in the statutes of the association.

Article 3: the new headquarters of the association is at the House of Associations, 31 rue Guillaume Le Bartz 56000 VANNES.

Article 11: the association supports neither travelling nor accommodation and food expenses for its members. All the members are unpaid volunteers.

 

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2015 - 2016

 

The Indian Meal on September 18th 2016

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 On this sunny Sunday of september, in Carnac, we were some twenty guests to meet around  a dinner table set outside as the weather was mild on this late summer day. This Indian meal, with a wide variety of flavours which delighted our taste buds, was prepared by Carti and Santhi. With their usual skill and kindness, they prepared chicken Biriani followed by a sweet dessert. During the meal, while people talked of this and that, some discovered ABH – South India Association and the actions it is  committed in this year.: the schooling of 38 young people, support to 15 widows and construction of sanitary facilities in a primary school of Tamil Nadu. The guests were joyful when they separated  later in the afternoon. The profits made from that meal make possible the schooling of one more child. A great thank to Carti and Santhi and to all those who took part to that meal.

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St François Xavier solidarity  race on march 21st 2016

On that day, St François Xavier secondary and high school students, ran or walked in solidarity with the schoolchildren of RENGASAMUTHIRAM. In so doing, they indirectly helped to improve the sanitary conditions of the children of Tamil Nadu.

Principle and aim of this walk :

Before the walk, each student decides of a number of kilometers that he intends to walk. Then, he visits people and asks them to participate financially for the benefit of different associations. Each  kilometer is credited  of a value in euro by the sponsor who will, at the end, multiply that amount by the number of kilometers actually walked and checked.

 

Spring exhibition sale on Friday, march 18th 2016

The spring exhibition sale for the benefit of young schoolchildren of Tamil Nadu was held in  the Super U. gallery

Different  items created by the «  little bees » of the Wednesday workshop and other volunteers, as well as objects coming directly from India were displayed.

This exhibition was a success as usual.

 

India, what are you doing with your water ?

On Friday, january 22nd, 2016, we attended a very informative conference about water in India,  at 8,30 pm at the Diocese House. This conference was illustrated with numerous documents.

Three speakers, Armand, Bernard P. et Bernard C, answered the question : « India, what are you doing with  your water ? » and discussed this current subject using the following topics :

• the natural and cultural relationship between India and water

• the water cycle

• water in India, quantity and quality

• health impact

• remedies and solutions

A great thank to the speakers who made this conference exciting, to Helene for the visual aids and various documentaries, to the forty listeners for their presence and generosity.

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The concert in St Peter’s church of Arradon has been held

 

Yesterday afternoon, in the wonderful neo- gothic St Peter’s church of Arradon, we attended an equally wonderful musical moment with the evocative title of “Joy in Heaven, Peace on Earth”. This concert was given free of charge by St Peter’s choir of Arradon accompanied by the parish choir of Ploeren.

The many singers of these two choirs, conducted by Christine Marois for Arradon’s choir and  Annick Neumager for Ploeren’s, interpreted various liturgical songs from their own repertoire or added their voices to sing more songs, mainly classical ones. A special mention to the “children’s choir” who is also a fine vocal group.

We were also unanimous to appreciate the musical accompaniment which permitted to raise the concert to a very high level. Nicole Roch’s performance on the violin was extraordinary, so were Enora Renault and Azélie Gonon on their traverse flute, Hélène Chevallier on her recorder, Yves Delorges on his organ and Eurielle Renault on her diatonic accordion.

 

The well known quality of both choirs brought together about two hundred listeners who appreciated the quality and diversity of the melodies that were interpreted.

We thank them for their invaluable presence and their extraordinary generosity that will allow us to go on and achieve the goals we have set to help the children of Tamil Nadu, South India.

We also warmly thank both choirs, without whom this would be much more difficult to achieve.

 

The concert in the church of Séné was held on December 13th

 

It’s in the magnificent church of Séné  that we could attend, together with a large audience, the remarkable vocal performance of the two choirs who had come to sing for free.

Those two choirs, conducted by Maïté Grasset for “Kan Avel” of Séné and by Bernadette l’Haridon for “Harmony” of Plescop, had a great success and filled everyone with enthusiasm.

Although different, these two choirs, having a varied and high quality repertoire,  managed to pass on their love of singing, their desire to share it with us and a constant motivation, which delighted the audience.

Composed of numerous experienced singers, the talent of these choirs and of each of their members makes vocal groups of the highest quality. Vocally, they are self reliant, which allows them to cover varied musical genres.

After playing eight songs each, from their own repertoire, the two choirs joined together to offer us a beautiful final which was a great success.

This final simulated a heavy downpour and a thunderstorm, incredibly true. Only the lightning was missing!!! This concert was appreciated by all and logically ended with a deafening applause.

We are very grateful to all the singers and their conductors for the quality of their performance and to the friendly, numerous and generous audience for their invaluable presence.

 

The Christmas exhibition

 

The Christmas exhibition sale was held in the parish hall of Vannes’ Cathedral on Saturday the 28th of November. From 10 am to 6.30 pm we welcomed many visitors who appreciated the diversity of the objects brought back from India as well as the many gift ideas created by the Wednesday workshop and more volunteers.

Thanks to your generosity, the revenue generated by this exhibition sale, will help to support ABH South India’s action to carry out the projects undertaken.

Support the studies of about 40 secondary and high school boys and girls or students.

Save the primary school of RENGASAMUTHIRAM in risk of closure.

212 children are educated in the school of this rural village situated in the north of Palayamkottai. Together with the support of the solidarity walk of St François Xavier, ABH South India relies on you to build the necessary sanitary facilities which are desperately needed.

 

Each euro is important…

A mother earns 1.20 euro for a day’s work.

To feed her family, with 1 euro she can buy : 1 kilo of rice or 2 kilos of pulses or 1 kilo of sugar or 1 litre of oil.

 

 

 

2014-2015

 

What was discussed at the annual meeting of ABH South India on october 8th 2015?

 

 

-The projects that have been successfully completed in the year:

The schooling of 25 secondary and 6 tertiary students

The support given to 36 widows of Tharagambadi,

The drilling of an artesian well for the school of Kasavan Kundru.

-The activities carried out in Morbihan to finance these achievements:

The regular work of the Wednesday workshop,

The Christmas markets of Séné and Vannes,

The Indian meal,

The conference and film: the forgotten woman,

The solidarity walk of the schoolchildren of Quiberon and St Pierre Quiberon,

The flash sale in the shopping center,

The selling of lily of the valley,

The forum of associations.

 

-The finances of the association. We’ll remember that:

The running costs of the association represent 1.5 per cent; yes… that’s right, 1.5 per cent of the annual budget.

The association has funded the following up of the students’ tutoring for 2 years,

The amount of the annual membership fee per person has been set to 10 euros by a large majority.

 

-The projects for the year 2015-2016

Emphasis has been placed on educating young people, which will ultimately enable them to get a diploma and then a job and so, improve their living conditions as well as those of their families. ABH South India will then go on tutoring at least 25 students.

In India, widows are a very vulnerable population. These women are rejected by their families and society. ABH South India will continue its efforts to support them.

We are expecting a number of proposals from the diocese of Palayamkottai and from the sisters of Tharagambadi community. We will keep you informed in good time.

 

Father John Sagaya came to meet the members of the association 

 

On Thursday, july 2nd 2015, about 30 people were at the diocese house to welcome Father John Sagaya who  had come to meet them. After explaining his ties with ABH South India which he co-founded, Father John, who is currently the director of the national biblical, liturgical and catechetical center of the Catholic Church of BANGALORE, detailed the impact of the assistance provided in Tamil Nadu by our association. He particularly evoked the financial support given to thirty secondary and tertiary students. This assistance complements the efforts required of families for school supplies, uniforms, registration fees and the contribution to the costs of food and accommodation asked to some of them. Father John also pointed out how equipping the dining room of the SARANALAYAM center that welcomes the street children had improved meal distribution. He thanked the members for their involvement and for their donations. He also mentioned  the very special effort of the schoolchildren of the Christian school and high school of Quiberon and St Pierre Quiberon who, thanks to their solidarity race, funded the drilling of an artesian well to bring water to the school of Kasavan Kundru. The work will soon start. After answering the members’ questions very willingly, Father John was warmly applauded and we ended this nice evening raising our glass to friendship.

 

The solidarity race at Quiberon on May 7th 2015

 

They’ve done it, a big cheer for them!

 

All of them were there,  children and teenagers from St Joseph’s school of St Pierre Quiberon, St Clement’s school of Quiberon and St Anne’s high school of Quiberon. How enthusiastic and glad these young people were when they took the start in mild weather for the one kilometre race along the beach of Quiberon. A solidarity race in which everybody did his best to run as many laps as possible. Throughout the race they were encouraged by their teachers and the many volunteers who provided the safety, the control of the participants and a snack to repay each one for his efforts. People standing along the track watched with amusement all these young, proud to participate in this spontaneous solidarity to support two projects, one supported by Pharma Lanka association in aid of young people from Sri Lanka, the second one supported by ABH South India association to help the school of Kasavan Kundru in Tamil Nadu drill a borewell. Remember that the principle of this race is that by sponsoring a participant, this one is committed to run a number of kilometres in one hour. Each kilometre is credited with a certain value set by the sponsor. The giving of prizes to both associations will be held on june 19th. Thank you very much to everybody.

 

Personnal initiatives benefiting the association

 

A flash sale

Shortly before the Easter weekend, Odile who’s come back from Tamil Nadu recently, took the initiative to organize a flash sale for the benefit of the association. After contacting  the manager of Super U store, she set up her booth in the shopping center for two days. Marie-Annick, Jacqueline, Guylaine, Anne et Hélène joined her to welcome all interested people. They offered for sale craft items made at home or during the Wednesday workshop. This flash sale will contribute to achieve current projects including the drilling of a borewell for the school of Kasavan Kundru in Tamil Nadu.

 

A sprig of lily-of-the-valley

This year, the lily-of-the-valley was there in our gardens on May Day. Hélène took the initiative to stand in the street to sell “ a sprig” of happiness for the children of Tamil Nadu. The generosity of the passers-by will contribute to pay for schooling the children of Palayamkottai.

 

 

Solidarity race at Quiberon – « drilling a wellbore for a school in Tamil Nadu »

Presentation of the project to the schoolchildren and their teachers.

 

For the solidarity race of the schoolchildren of Quiberon planned on Thursday, May 7th 2015, Hélène, Soussila, Armand and Jacqueline went to the peninsula of Quiberon on Thursday, april 9th, to present the project of drilling a wellbore for a school of 163 pupils, at Kasavan Kundru in Tamil Nadu.

The ABH South India team was accompanied all day long by Sister Christiane, a member of the association. She had contacted the headmistresses and headmaster before.

In the morning we met some children of the nursery and primary schools of St Joseph’s school at St Pierre Quiberon and of St Clement – St Anne’s school at Quiberon, then, in the afternoon we met the pupils of St Anne’s high school, that is a total of 8 groups. Hélène had prepared a slideshow with photos of the village, the school, the classrooms, the children in their uniforms and of their present water supply system.

We answered the children’s various questions which, according to their ages were very spontaneous. The children noticed that little Indians have neither the same equipment nor the same comfort as in France to study. They were surprised to see them barefoot in class, wearing uniforms, without any furniture in the primary classrooms. It was also a good opportunity to make French pupils realise how precious water is, even though it appears so natural for us.

Armand was able to explain some Indian customs, particularly, the way they drink out of a tumbler without bringing it to their mouth. Soussila showed her sari.

The children of Quiberon will be motivated to run, walk, rollerblade on may 7th to raise as much money as possible  in order to provide our young Indian schoolchildren with basic comfort.

A great thank to those who welcomed us so nicely in the 3 schools.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learning to cook Indian food

 

Three groups of 6 people of the association, who registered for the course, were invited at our Indian friends Emilie and Manicaradje in St Avé, to learn Indian recipes.

After having a good cup of Indian tea with milk, as people enjoy in the late afternoon, together we prepared a whole wheat dough to make CHAPPATIS (thin flatbread that wrap meat and its sauce). The ball of dough is rolled and flattened several times, shaped in triangles or circles and baked on a large frying pan.

While the dough was resting, we had time for the CHICKEN KORMA. The chicken legs are cooked with various spices and home made KORMA powder. Everybody loved it.

Then the dessert came: KESARI. It is a pink and fragrant semolina pudding which delighted our taste buds.

What a nice and friendly gourmet break, so rich in discoveries!

Thank you to our gracious hosts who were happy to introduce us to the wonderful food of their country.

 

 

An evening devoted to the situation of widows in India 

 

At Vannes art centre, the association organised an evening to open the eyes to the plight of women who have lost their husband. On the basis of a research work carried out by Sousila DELICES, Armand DELICES and Manicaradje TANABAL began their speech very clearly. In India, widows are considered as responsible for the death of their husband. Their situation is all the more dramatic as they live in villages, uneducated and have no income.

 

A Christmas market in the parish hall of Vannes’ cathedral

 

On a market day, in full town center, the “bees” of the Wednesday workshop displayed plenty of objects, each one more beautiful than the others. Their variety enabled the public to find their Christmas gifts. The following week, the association also took part in another market in  Séné.

 

 

An Indian meal at Auray 

How delicious this meal prepared by Carti CARTIGUEYANE in his restaurant “The Rajasthan”of Auray was! Refined and discreetly spicy, his chicken Bariani delighted our palates. What talent! A huge thank you for making his restaurant available to us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013 - 2014

 

 

Participation in the Pondichery embroidery exhibition

 

 

During last summer the people of Vannes could admire the work of " Indra’s thread" from Pondichery at an exhibition set up on Claire Le Bartz’s initiative with the support of the city of Vannes. Some members of our association helped them to ensure the reception of visitors. The harmony of colours, delicacy of drawings and fineness of the embroideries conquered the visitors who highly appreciated to discover the work of these Indian embroiderers.

 

 

 

The forum of Vannes associations

 

 

For the third consecutive year, the association participated in the forum organized by the city of Vannes. A friendly time during which we met lots of people and many of them showed interest in the work of our association. During that day we welcomed some new members.

 

 

 

The Christmas market of Séné

 

After four previous Christmas sales carried out in private homes or in church halls, the association took part to the Christmas Market in the village of Séné for the first time. On a beautiful, sunny and cool day, we displayed many Christmas items, made ​​by the "Wednesday handiwork group". The dynamism and efficacy of the volunteers who animated the stand made it possible to make a handsome profit in spite of a small public.

 

 

The Wednesday workshop

 

 

Since the association was created, a workgroup has been meeting once a week, on Wednesdays for the present. During these afternoons the participants share their skills, their creativity and energy to make lots of objects such as cards, Christmas items, tart bags and many other things (see picture). This workgroup succeeded in bringing together other willing experimented people who participated from their home in the making of the things that will be sold during the Christmas exhibition sales. This is a high-quality voluntary work that provides substantial income to the association for the benefit of the people of Tamil Nadu.

 

 

2012-2013

 

 

The pancake festival of Ste Anne d’Auray: 24 and 25 August 2013

 

The festival in its 5th year was hosted in Ste Anne d’Auray. It was born in 2009 with the project of gathering cultural associations from all over the world together to help people discover the wide variety of pancakes (made either from cereals or rice). We know the pancake in Brittany but we don’t often know that it is the basic food in many countries. Once again this year, the festival was a great success receiving over 10,000 visitors. From South Brittany to India, Bolivia, Vietnam, Egypt, Madagascar, Aphganistan, Polynesia, 25 pavilions were put up to represent the countries concerned. We had a friendly time based on solidarity with exchanges of recipes and cultures. With great skill, each pavilion displayed in its programme introductions to making pancakes, traditional dancing or concerts.

It was a warm and colourful meeting for those who participated especially since the sun was shining.

 

The pavilion of India served 350 delicious meals prepared by our Indian friends and eaten at tables we placed at their disposal in our booth. We could also offer to purchase a great variety of craft items: jewellery, precious boxes, saris … all these items being brought back from Tamil Nadu by some members of our association who went there to meet Father John and continue to help the young we are committed to supporting in their studies.

 

Many visitors got interested in our project and could see, through the different maps and photos we displayed, how precious is the help we provide by sponsoring these young people’s studies so as to help them find a decent job to ensure their future

We have also worked to the improvement of school buildings: building of showers and of an artesian well.

 

Thanks a lot to those who, through their generosity, contributed to make our project go forward and encouraged us … to expand it.

 

And, of course, see you next year!

 

 

The Indian meal

 

On the initiative of some Indian families from our association, a friendly meal with “biryani chicken” was organized at the Indian inn of Kercado in Carnac. The setting was lovely and warm in spite of the cold. Over forty people participated. Everything was delicious. Many thanks to the three Indian couples for their kindness, generosity and talent for cooking!

 

 

The solidarity walk of Saint-François‘s Secondary School of Vannes

 

170 walkers, students and teachers, covered 1210 km. With the support of 554 sponsors, they donated € 4,604 to the association. Fabulous! That is enough to provide a year’s schooling to 25 primary and secondary Indian schoolchildren, supported by ABH-South India. A big thank you to everyone.

 

 

The forum of Vannes associations

 

 

For the second consecutive year, our association participates in the forum of the  city of Vannes.

 

 

2009 – 2012

 

 

 

During this period, for a better understanding of India, the association organised

 

conferences :

-  Christian communities in the South of India  by Father Mayeul and Father Corrignan of the diocese of Vannes.

-  India Yesterday and today  by Father Paschal, of Foreign Missions, Paris

-  Traditions and customs in the Indian society by Mr and Mrs Délices 

 -  Honeymoon in India.  At Vannes arts center, Amandine and Eric Chapuis presented the trip they made from south to north  India, walking along the western coast during their nine months’ honeymoon.

 

films :

The association also organised the screening of films at Arradon’s media library which was put at our disposal for the occasion, free of charge. So, the members could discover or rediscover Richard Attenborough’s “Gandhi” and Danny Boyle’s “Slumdog Millionnaire” .

 

collective initiatives :

Collective initiatives participated generously in the projects of the association, especially the pupils of St Pierre Quiberon schools and middle schools, as well as those of St François middle and high schools of Vannes who travelled many kilometres during their “solidarity walk” organised in aid of various charities including ABH South India.

 

personnal initiatives :

Personal initiatives also increased the potential of the association. Bernard and Benoît travelled by bike to Höchenschwand (Black Forest, Germany) selling their kilometres to the benefit of the association. They covered 1407 km in 11 stages, encouraged by their wives who provided stewardship throughout the trip.

Bertrand walked on the Santiago de Compostela path, covering around 1700 km that he also sold. Doing this, he supported the association beautifully.

From the beginning, the exhibition sales have been quite successful. Every year, they contribute to increase the resources of ABH South India. The objects made by several volunteers of the Wednesday workshop (former Monday workshop) are sold on these occasions. These sales were held at Christian and Catherine, Pierre and Marie- Annick ‘ s private homes as well as in the Parish Hall of St Pius X.