Christmas greetings

Wishing you a very happy Christmas and God's richest blessings for 2007. Christmas celebrations come early in Vellore with parties galore. There is also the habit of middle of the night carol singing! I was privileged to sing in the college carol service which was very moving - and a bit panicky as we were short of practice. Hamilton, our team chaplain was the conductor, and did a great job. The picture shows him with me and Grace and Fellina. Hope you like the sari! I have been eating lots of chicken biryani - the traditional Christmas fare - as well as the many sweets on offer. These are gulab jamen - and dripping with condensed milk and sygar syrup!! We are looking forward to a busy start to the new year. The hospice will admit the first patients around the second week in January. there is still much to be done but it is exciting. Also we have plans to do some nurse training in the education unit and will be joined by Judith Smith and Ismay Palmer from the UK. The first 1 year Fellowship in palliative care for postgraduate doctors in India has been confirmed and will start in March. Adverts have gone out and we are busy with the curriculum. The time seems to be flying with so many challenges and opportunities. I feel very much part of the team here and so glad that Cairdeas can be involved in this way. Our vision is to see the growth of palliative care in the developing world. Supporting raining programmes in Vellore can have a major impact and my thanks to all of you who are supporting and interested. I was struck again by the need in this country when I met a girl of only 25 who had travelled from Nepal to Hyderabad to get help for her cancer. On the way (several days by train) she was abandoned by her husband who took all their money scraped together for treatment, leaving her with a 4 month old child and 2 other children at home. The need is so great but at least this girl was cared for by people with expertise and compassion. At this time of year when we enjoy the celebrations and the gifts and the fun - spare a thought for those far and near who are vulnerable and hurting this Christmas. It is a time of hope when we remember the promise of that first Christmas - a Saviour who would bring peace on earth and goodwill towards men. Thank you again for all you support - I will keep you in touch with what the New Year brings!!