Sweet Angel School, Kurseong

Attached to St. John’s Parish, Sweet Angel School was first established in 1997 by Mrs. Angela Mala Chettri in a 10” x 10” mud and stone room with 3 poor children. With the growing needs of the children unable to be sustained in such confined quarters, Sweet Angel School moved to rented premises with three rooms and 2 toilets.

In 2002, Bishop Stephen Lepcha of Darjeeling had the Salesian Sisters hand over St. John’s Primary School, which was attached to St. John’s Parish, to Mrs. Chettri.

Jimmy Keir had been baptized a Catholic at the age of 10 at St. John’s Parish. Remembering that they needed help, GFF donated INR 110,000.00 for the renovation of the Parish. On reviewing the accounts for the project Jimmy discovered that INR 41,000.00 of the donation had been allocated to the Sweet Angels School to meet the educational needs of 15 poor children and to provide health check-ups for 60 children.

Intrigued by the allocation of funds, Jimmy visited the Sweet Angel School in 2006 and found some 50 little “Angels” being schooled by Mrs. Chettri who had been running the school since its inception but who had not being receiving a salary. Jimmy learnt that even the teachers were on only half the usual pay.

When Owen visited in March of 2007 he saw for himself the circumstances of the school and the children. He immediately provided funds for the sponsorship of 70 students including mid-day meals, school building repairs, a library, furniture, sporting goods, fuel for the school vehicle and sewing and weaving machines for the “Self Help group”!

In 2008, Mr. David Phillips, a friend and business associate of Owen’s, provided a new vehicle to the school for transport. On a subsequent visit with Jimmy, David was so enthralled by the children that he accepted the sole and on-going sponsorship role of the Sweet Angel’s School.

The school has gone from strength to strength and as at February 2010, the Sweet Angel School now caters for 150 children – all a credit to Mrs. Chettri and her hard work and determination.