From one Village to Another

From One Village to Another

Supporting Blind and Disabled Children in a village in India supported by Chelwood Bridge Rotary Club together with the PPSCT (Pensford Publow and The Stanton Community Trust )

In January 2026 the Postmaster of Pensford Village Post Office, Umang Patel, and his younger son Darsh took the opportunity while visiting family in India to visit the Blind and disable Children's School/shelter, Andh Apang Vikas Mandal, an organisation dedicated to supporting blind and disabled children. In the village Mogri in Gujarat india.

Umang and his family have for some time been wanting to find a way that would benefit the organisation for the long term and their research led them to proposing the installation of a 14.56 kW solar panel system.

This initiative offers a significant long-term benefit. The solar system is expected to generate monthly savings of approximately £300 in electricity costs. These savings will be directly redirected towards improving the quality of care, education, and support services for the children.

In addition to the financial benefit, the system has an estimated payback period of just over three years and will continue to provide sustainable savings for many years thereafter, while providing an environmentally responsible solutions. 

Within three weeks of receiving the go-ahead, work has began. An idea generated by a family living in Pensford has become a reality in a Mogri village in India. 

Follow the progress to its completion at www.chelwoodbridgerotary.com

The Installation  Commences

The following picture shows

Starting from left Two ladies are Vaishali’s cousin First in pink t shirt Rashmi Patel,  second one is Vaishali’s Aunty Anandi Patel, Both are from Bristol and happen to be in India at same time coincidentally while we were there so after knowing about this organisation they were keen to visit the AAVM with us.  Then children’s from AAVM with me, The Gentleman who is standing behind children’s on right hand side is running organisation his name is Mr Hemant Patel.  Last one In Orange T shirt is my Son Darsh.