Fred Kahl’s Legacy Lives On…

Hazel Nash, at the inauguration of the 'Fred Kahl Health Centre Facilities'

The new ‘Fred Kahl Health Centre Facilities’ were inaugurated at Udayan on 16th April 2019, as a tribute to the late Fred Kahl, a man of wide interests and a generous heart, who had a committed concern for our children.

His wife, Hazel Nash ONZM (Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit awarded to her by Queen Elizabeth II) was here to open the facilities, along with Kathryn Spink and John Coo from City of Joy Aid, UK, who had together raised most of the funds for the project at a gala dinner at Eton College in memory of Fred.

Fred stayed at Udayan on two occasions. During his visits in 2013 and 2014, he became a favourite with our children due to his friendly and supportive nature, and the Udayan senior girls even taught him to dance!

Fred and Hazel had previously, with help from the Juniper Trust, improved the vegetable garden at Udayan by making it monsoon proof and more productive. That garden now provides our children with nutritious, homegrown food. It was at Fred and Hazel’s initiative also that Eton parents and staff gifted soft-toys, cricket sweaters, rugby shirts and even Manchester United football shirts for our children.

Fred’s last visit to Udayan, before Christmas 2014, cemented his relationship with the home and his interest in our children’s welfare. Sadly, however, his failing health prevented him from returning to India.

Recalling that Fred had recognized the need for improving the health care facilities at Udayan, when he died Hazel felt it a fitting memorial to try and introduce such improvements.

Hazel Nash and City of Joy Aid, UK, are now helping Udayan with the health and hygiene facilities and programmes for children at Udayan, starting with the upgrade of medical facilities (the painting and refurbishment of the medical and doctor’s rooms and sick bays), along with the restoration of Father James's cottage, which has been restored and set up as an isolation sick bay.

Udayan is very grateful for all the love and joy that Fred Kahl brought to the children of Udayan, the ongoing support and passion of his wife Hazel Nash, and the generosity of their friends and associates who helped make this project a reality.

The newly renovated 'Fred Kahl Health Facilities' include an isolation ward for sick children.