Education

Over the past 33 years the Glenn Family Foundation has helped many people with their education.

The Philippines

From 2006 to 2008, 20 children in the Philippines received scholarships to enable them to study, while grants were also made for the setting up of a new school library with computers, as well as new sports facilities.

Nepal

In 2005 the Foundation contributed to repairs to the toilets and equipment for the science lab at St. Joseph's school on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Today the school is flourishing and has extended its classes to Standard 9. The Foundation's contribution supported the good work being done by the Pestalozzi Association Helping Advance Development (PAHAD) in Nepal. Its aim is to educate the children of poor families.

PAHAD is registered as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Kathmandu and the GFF has supported it annually since 2006.

India

In India, where there is serious need for help with children's education, the Glenn Family Foundation has provided much assistance including: the provision of sports shoes for children; the provision of computers, sewing machines and water pumps for a school in Anandapally Village near Calcutta; the building of a Hall for Girdang Primary School; much-needed repairs to the Lower Chotta M Busty School and the provision of funding for a computer centre at Nanette's Vocational Centre in Darjeeling. We have assisted over 15 village schools to date, a matter of much importance. The GFF fervently believes that education is of paramount importance and to this end, we have repaired each of the Government primary schools in the villages that we have developed, providing: desks, benches, stationary, text and story books, DVDs, safe drinking water, improved toilets and have sponsored the upgrading of teachers.

St Joseph's School at Mungpoo, near Darjeeling, was popular because it was the only English-medium school in the area. Run by a Jesuit priest, it was also unique in being built entirely of treated bamboo. A bamboo extension to the school was planned but, with help from the GFF a new, more permanent building in brick and wood was erected.  The Foundation and the local Rotary chapter worked in partnership on this project. The GFF also provided funds to help establish new vocational programmes in the school such as beekeeping, biorganic farming and mushroom growing.  

Cluny Women's College in Kalimpong was built by Sister Declan Fahy of Ireland, whose vision was to empower the young women of Kalimpong through education. Sister Declan worked with the Sisters of St. Joseph Cluny for more than 50 years. The College offers several courses, including a Bachelor of Computer Applications which helps local people enter the job market. Initially, in 1995, the GFF supported the College through the provision of much-needed computers, printers, beds and a generator.

In 2007, Sister Declan showed Owen Glenn her plans for a multi-purpose hall for the College - a project that necessitated extra funding. Owen agreed to a contribution to allow the project to proceed - with the proviso that it be completed within a year and be called 'Declan Hall' to honour Sister Declan's service and dedication to the people of Kalimpong and the welfare of the hill people.

Declan Hall is used for examinations, College and village meetings, assemblies and indoor sports, as well as hosting many plays and musical performances.

Sweet Angel School at Kurseong was started in 1997 by a dedicated woman named Mrs Chettri who taught three children. As this number grew, she struggled to house them adequately. In 2007, when Owen Glenn visited, he provided funds through the GFF for the sponsorship of 70 children, including midday meals, school building repairs a library, furniture, sporting goods, fuel for the school vehicle and sewing and weaving machines. The school has gone from strength to strength and now caters for 150 children.

St Anne's Convent in Kalimpong has a hostel which houses 320 girls from distant villages and which subsidises students from various ethnic tribes. The GFF also provided books to set up a library for these girls to assist them with their education.

St Philomena's High School in Kalimpong has also been a beneficiary of the GFF. Run by the Cluny Sisters, it caters for poor families and teaches about 2,000 girls. About 320 of these are boarders. The school's hall was in serious disrepair so the GFF underook a complete refurbishment of its leaky roof and eroded foundations. New furniture was also donated as well as 10 computers which enabled the establishment of a computer centre.   

Nanette's Vocational Training Centre in Darjeeling is located in the heart of the Darjeeling Market. Its activities include tailoring, cooking, typing and other life skills. The GFF provided funds to set up a computer centre, helping young people to better  themselves through education.   

St Michael's School and Convent in Darjeerling has been the recipient of books for its libraries.

United Kingdom

The Glenn Family Foundation recently pledged a GB£5,000 contribution to the Kevin Spacey Foundation, an organisation founded by actor Kevin Spacey which aims to enrich the lives of children through involvement in the performing arts.

The pledge will go towards helping the Kevin Spacey Foundation enable 1,000 students from disadvantaged backgrounds to experience a drama workshop at their school and watch a free performance of Shakespeare's Richard III. The children will then be able to engage in a question-and-answer session with the actor himself.

The pledge was made by Founder, Owen Glenn, at the conclusion of a performance of Shakespeare's Richard III at London's Old Vic Theatre, where Spacey played the lead role. The performance marked the start of a series that will deliver the adaptation of Richard III globally, as part of The Bridge Project.

Individual Grants

In the past, children have been helped on an individual basis by the GFF. Computer tuition costs were met for one girl in China-Macau and assistance was given to a disadvantaged child in the USA. The GFF also paid for school fees and uniforms for the three children of a mother in Swaziland to enable them to continue with their education.