XML building - velocity 1.4

[Anagha]

Hi,
I want to build xml by replacing existing XML text elements with some other
text.
I built the Document with SAXBuilder and put the root element in the
context.
My template is like this :

#set ($rootelem = $root.getRootElement())
$rootelem

#foreach($elem in $rootelem.getChildren())
    #set ($newelem = $elem)

    #if ($elem.getName().equalsIgnoreCase("serviceInstanceId"))
        got it
        $newelem.getText()
        $newelem.setText("OTHERTEXT")
        $newelem
    #end
#end

When I merge with the template, I get the text of the existing node
correctly( $newelem.getText())
After setText when I print the $newelem I expect the new text (OTHERTEXT) in
the element.
But I get the empty element. I never see new  text element in the element.

Any help is appreciated.

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Thanks & Regards,
Anagha