Home and Awake

It is Monday morning, March 1st and at 03.25 I thought "blow this...I'm getting up!". So now 2 hours and 1 cup of tea later, I have been getting my day in order, diary, emails, reflecting, LOVING the silence! Yes Frances, I can really relate to that! The new Indian carpet is in the hall, the bedspread, soon to be front door curtain is awaiting measuring and inspiration, the kitchen voile door curtain is the perfect colour match, just needing the curtain rail at some point when we get a chance to go to B&Q or somewhere! So you see I spent my money on useful things! (defensive).

I am still dreaming that I am in India and then waking up confused...weird feeling!

What I am loving...

Cold milk with cereal!
Fresh fruit and veg, last night we ate veg stir fry with jelly and satsumas!
Feeling the rain and breeze on my face
Seeing my friends again (not that you aren't...but you get my drift!)
Mugs of steaming tea and coffee
Lush green grass and spring bulbs poking though
Fresh eggs from my chickens
Silence and reflection
Not having to drink bottled water and apply hand gel...

What I am missing...

My Indian friends who are either working or living in the slum communities day in day out and all that that means...
The big welcoming smiles and open hearts
Colour
Banter!
30 degrees!
Wearing Salwar Kameezes
Hearing the stories

What I am challenged about...

Yeovil Prayer support group?
How can we be more helpful to Asha in the future?
Learning Hindi
Developing a South West Network
Informing others about the work

Home and rested

Hi everyone well we made it home, a few detours via Gillingham but well done Roger for finding the way.
Thank you so much Dick and Julie for the opportunity it really was a most amazing experience. I would call it a complete onslaught of the senses, visual ,sound , smell and emotional, what a great trip.
I am sitting in the living room at home, and do you know , I can hear absolutely nothing !!!!

Home again

We're back in rainy England but it's good to see our cats who seem to have missed us as they're both sat on me!! The whole 2 weeks in India was an amazing experience with so many different diversities that we saw and were a part of. We will definitely be going back and already have plans afoot!! To see a tiger so close in it's own environment was one of my dreams come true - hence a speechless, weepy Pauline!! The people we met were lovely throughout the 2 weeks and I have come away with a high regard for their sense of community and living together. We experienced city life, slum life and rural life and feel very privileged to have been able to do so. Thank you to Dick and Julie, our intrepid team leaders, for showing us the India that you love. You did a brilliant job in leading us around and organising the trip. Pauline xx

Home

Home now, after delay all went well, and we got home about 00:05.  Nice to be home, but also missing Delhi!.   What an amazing two weeks.      Many thanks to Dick and Julie for sheperding us all.   

flight home

sorry to hear your flight delayed enjoy duty free with crocky - don't let him get near the drink - it could all end in tears, crocodile tears. Safe flight, and journey home, looking forward to seeing you all. Wonderful that you were able to go back to Ektar Vihar, answer to prayer. Janet xx

Delhi Airport

Aaaargghgh................Flight delayed 2:15 hours, now expected to leave 16:00.   Could be a late night!

Lots of last minute books. with enough tuk-tuks for our very own convoy methinks.

Crock Wock has made fresh appearances, handing over passports to Passport Control, and tickets at the Check In desk.  They seem to have a sense of humour.

Delhi Traffic

This video shows the Dehli traffic, but is not as frantic as it can be. However look out for the lane changes, under/over taking, Harry the monkey, ladies riding side saddle on motorcycles, crocodiles, beep beep of horns etc,etc, etc ... just enjoy the chaos .... we did :-) & :-O

Westward Ho !

Well here I am, still intact, sitting in a lovely high roof top patio in a rather middle class area of Delhi. Everyone else is still packing, we are due to be picked up for our final experience of the Delhi traffic melee as we head for the airport and home. DO NOT want to leave this climate, surprisingly wind, cold and rain do not appeal, but SO looking forward to a roast dinner, and NO CURRIES !
In short, the 'safari' was a good experience, coupled with lovely fresh, unfume filled and non gritty air . I was especially touched by the wonderful staff. Transport here, early, got to go!!

Crock has a fan

wildlife

Tiger photo credit R Allen.


Scratching post, sharpens the claws.

Pug marks, footprints to you me and Roger Allen.

Crocky on Safari

Final Night in India

Well, final night.  11:07 pm local time.  Today has again been packed, mostly at the last minute.   It was intended to be a free day for sightseeing and last minute spending, not likely when you put Asha and India in the timetable!   This morning we were asked to present a Computer to one if the College Students (funded by the monies raised), great privlege, preceded by a visit to Ektar Vihar Slum to be welcomed.  All went well, particularly as the Police Commissioner also sent three armed policemen to ensure it did!  Julie met up with Reena, who was delighted to see all of us.

Lunch time brought an invitation from Freddy for Dick, Julie, Sue and I to attend a Reception in the evening at the New Zealand High Commisson, along with Kiran and two College Students.  The High Commissioner had arranged a sale of Art by two Indian Artists (who had based their pictures on a recent visit to New Zealand), with part of the proceeds going to Asha.  His wife has been teaching English with Asha for about 18 months.  A great evening, and a privilege.

The afternoon saw a trip to Old Delhi.  The Asha Jeep was parked in the underground carpark.  Not just any car park, an Old Delhi Car Park.  Most of the cars looked as if they had been there for years, and all the roadways had cars double parked, nose to tail, in them, blocking in all aother cars.  Thankfully it all went well, and we did eventually emerge.

Roger, Lorraine, Stuart and Pauline have all returned from the far reaches of the jungle with excited tales of Tigers, Deer, Elephants etc etc, determined to make a return trip. 

Freddy reports Louis as alive and well, thoroughly enjoying every minute of being with the long term volunteers.

Ian and Frances survived their train trip, full of tales of the Indian Railways.  Will they make a return trip in the future…………..

Dick and I both have reports to write when we get back, reviewing the areas we looked at this week, and Kiran would like mine in a format to present to the Home Minister for India, better check the spelling carefully.

Well, signing off for the evening, getting a bit sleepy.

Nigel.

Everyone beginning to regroup.

Having learned the lesson of remembering to keep your fluids up or end up feeling weird, nauseatic and detached, I now find myself feeling more human after a cup of tea, two mango-flavoured biscuits and 1 1/2 hours sleep. The price I paid was having to send my apologies with Dick, Sue and Nigel as we had been invited to attend a function hosted by the New Zealand High Commission, this evening. They will be able to explain more later, but it appears that part of the proceeds of the evening will go to a charity and they have selected asha. Four of the students from Asha have also been invited. No doubt I shall understand more when they return back...whenever that may be!

The Tiger lot have now joined us, but as I was doing my weird thing, I haven't heard any details of their trip except what I have read on here! Breakfast will be animated! Nigel and Sue managed a coffee with Frances and Ian at the Cottage Emporium this afternoon (they have returned from Jodpur and are staying at the YMCA for the last night. We'll meet them at the airport tomorrow.)whilst Dick and I searched for a suitable bedspread to convert into a front door curtain. We got exactly what I had in mind so now all Dick needs to do is create a rail, I shall do the sewing which should be minimal. Before Nigel makes the comment that he had to wait for us to finish....I hasten to add that all remaining purchases were gifts and NOT for me... (A little defensive is she not?)

We shall be picking Louis up on the way to the airport, he seems to be staying in a superb flat with some other longterm volunteers teaching English in Seelampur. It will be good to hear how his week has gone.
Yesterday I managed to meet up with Reena and her children at the Asha Polyclinic as we were unable to visit her in her home due to the prevoius episode. I think it actually worked out better as we had at least an hour together, exchanging gifts, praying together and generally attempting communication although hugs and smiles spoke volumes. We had bought a number of items for the family which included two pairs of shorts for Ashish (almost 3yrs)(which came down to his ankles, but still looked fine as trousers!) and a London double decker bus, which went down well!

For Sakshi (18 months)I made a dress, which I think she would trip over at the moment! She'll grow into it! We also bought her a small soft teddy which was an instant hit! I had forgotten how small the Indian children are, they both looked a year younger size-wise. It was lovely to see them playing with their toys whilst Reena and I talked and Sue and I took photos.

So here I sit, sipping tomato soup...with a definite "bite" to it, feeling a little better although it took me ages to get into the packet which was foil wrapped and sealed...In the end I remembered a sharp piece of metal I had snagged my dress on earlier....sliced open and job done! Remember to ask me about a similar tale re trying to open other Family Planning items from packets....with razor blades....

So much to say, but I don't want to hog all the news! Only one more thing though (!) the children at Tigri have all written back to the children at Birchfield. We are so pleased with their efforts, all written in English...impressive eh? I think the school will be delighted. They even reciprocated by doing two formal group photos!

So home tomorrow, very late...seems strange to be leaving, but it has definitely been a worthwhile trip!

Harry the monkey

Group pic with Taj Mahal in the background

Many pics and vids

For everyone who wants to have a look at some pictures and videos from the first week, please look here: www.facebook.com/anemdo (you need to have a Facebook account)
- reactions to Harry the monkey
- pictures of Taj Mahal
- and more...

Crying Crocodile.

Crocky Wock has had such marvellous time in the jungle at Corbett national park that he was sobbing his little heart out this morning when we left. He really wished he could stay, but with tigers being so endangered we couldn’t leave him unsupervised regardless of his promise of how good he’d try to behave.

We believe this WAS the right decision as we suffered a mysterious DOUBLE puncture soon after leaving the park for Delhi. Both wheels went flat, and I think those were crocodile teeth marks on the tyres. So much for turning over a new leaf Crocky.

Loraine has now become blase about the whole Tiger thing, oh yeah really, yes really. She was the first one to spot the Thurs Tiger which was about 25 feet away from her and this is the Loraine who’s sitting in an open jeep. Pauline just goes speech less and weeps. Go figure .. women are just weird. Roger hasn’t got himself eaten yet, surprisingly. I’ll also leave it to Roger to explain how or why he didn’t see the elephants, but you’d have thought that something that big couldn’t vanish that quickly.

We’d finally sorted the ‘Roger flap’ conundrum. He was strictly confined to a compound by an electric fence (solar powered no less) and surrounded by wild animals that would make a tasty snack of him. At last Loraine was sure of his location; which was generally at the campfire with a beer in the early evening or splashing at the pool in the afternoon. Ah we were all happy wildlife and agree with Crocky, we all want to come back here.

Stuart and the old crock.

From the ladies team!

While Dick has been doing medical stuff and Nigel has been doing banking stuff Julie and I have been using our strengths- chatting to people! We have been to 3 different slums, stood in doorways chatting to beautiful but shy ladies,  admired children in all different shapes and sizes and generally been made really welcome by so many different people. The women in particular are really friendly, giving us hugs and chai!

We visited one place where Asha have only worked for 4 years and we heard about the CHV having to go out to help deliver babies at all hours. (She has helped over 100 births!) We all sat in their 2 room house and when we asked where they all slept there were roars of laughter! Answer- on the bed platforms, on the floor- in fact,  on every available space! We rounded the corner to find everyone cutting plastic with big scissors. this turned out to be the straps or ‘steps’ for flip flops. Bit shocked to realise it takes a day to fill a big bucket. For this they get 30 rupees (about 50p). We also turned round to see the baby with the blade of the scissors in it’s mouth. The slums are a dangerous place for children. we have seen several with bad scarring from burns and cuts. One little boy fell in a pot of boiling rice when he was a few months old- now he has no hair on one side- but a great grin.

This afternoon Freddie took us out to a new settlement, a long way out from the centre of the city. In August 2006 the government flattened a slum with a few hours notice. First the people were all homeless and had to live on the streets. Then Kieran and Asha persuaded them to accept the governments resettlement plan. They bought plots 10 ft by 20 ft out on empty land. Now it is growing into a community with wide streets, fields beyond, a breeze and no slum landlord to cause trouble. They own their own plots. Some have built brick houses, others a simple shack, but there is a good feel to the place. Freddie was so proud of the place- so much better than what they had before. a new community. We met two sisters who have an embryo church meeting in their house. new life in the new community!

Tigger

There are unconfirmed reports of Tigger sightings close to Pauline and Lorraine.  More information to follow as soon as the News Desk has detail.

Answer to Prayer

Did you read the post “Back at Asha” ?

What an answer to prayer, Praise God. We receive a call late this evening asking that we (Dick, Julie, Sue and I) go to Ektar Vihar Slum tomorrow to see the “Slum Lord”.  He has had a complete change of heart and wants to apologise publically in front of everyone, and to those that he forced away earlier in the week.  Apparently he has upset a lot of people with the treatment that the group from Asha received. 

Nigel

checking in and checking out

Well we are attempting to check out of this lovely oasis of calm at the Inn Season hotel, but !!!!!!! they don't seem to be able to let us pay by credit card, so ian has had to hop foot it down to the atm machine which they say is walking distance. ok he is just back now and seems to have collected a tuk tuk driver on the way.
We will shortly be off to Mandore Gardens , sounds very peaceful. and the this evening we catch the train back to Delhi , so wish us luck and pray that we get on the right train or we could end up in Bombay !!!!!!!!

See you all when we get back to Delhi , we hope to see the old town tommorrow so will tell you all about it then.

Lots of love Frances and Ian

Mice and stuff

Met Asha’s pet mouse (see Dick’s post) earlier in the day, when it ran behind my netbook and along the worktop/desk on the Asha Office.  Seems a friendly soul, and not the least interested in computer wiring.

We also find that if you leave Pizza on the desk for more that 10 minutes (still in its box) then a trail of (very small red ones) Ants develops as they start to devour it.  They also itch and bite!

Yesterday morning was spent visiting another Slum with Raneesh, and meeting more of the beneficiaries of the Loan Scheme.  Plenty of examples where employment is being generated through the scheme which is excellent. One lady now employs 26 women, instead of 8 previously, in a catering business that provides food for weddings, birthdays and parties.

On a walk into the heart of the slum we found ourselves walking along a “High Street” of open shops, all piled high with fresh fish in all sizes, with furious bargaining going on as we passed.  A “wealthy” slum where the living conditions are by far the biggest challenge.

The slum occupants are generally all Bengali, and most have the same surname “Mandel”.   Bit like Smith at home.  Lanes tended to be closed in above, up to three storeys high.  Visited a home Screen Printing (Stationery) business which was carried out on the roof (covered over with plastic).  You could easily walk across the top of all the buildings, and avoid the lanes below.

Met with Anil Aggarwal at Asha in the afternoon.  Anil is Chief Manager (Marketing) for Punjab National Bank, and the Lead representative for the Asha Micro Finance Scheme.  Really supportive, and very keen to see the scheme grow.  Very happy with how it works at present, and appreciative of the way Asha select borrowers.   More to follow.

My week back with Asha

Jaipur was great! Time to relax in that oasis of a hotel... but it is also good to be back with Asha doing specific tasks that are my "shape". So, on Tuesday, I linked up with Soni again and went in an auto rickshaw down to Kalkaji slum, far south of the city, I noted the difference having an Indian with you makes to the fare: 1/2 an hour or so ride for 57 rupees (about 80p)! I sat in on the antenatal clinic being run by a nurse to do a "quality control assessment" for Kiran. I made a few observations and found Lily, the nurse, and Soni were keen to learn and asked me what I thought. I noted that Lily immediately changed her practice to reflect what I had suggested!

In the afternoon we met with Kiran and both Nigel and I fed back to her what we had found, We then discussed the possibility of setting up a southwest UK Asha supporters day conference based in Yeovil - so watch out for that...

Yesterday I sat by a computer to prepare a seminar on Diabetes which I will do this morning with all the doctors and nurses. As I prepared my Powerpoint I was only slightly perturbed when a mouse scurried across the desk behind the screen and started playing around in the bin at my feet! I mentioned it to Paul who was sharing the office, and he just said: "Ah yes, Alex" (who has just left Asha after 3 years...anyone want a job?) "used to like the mice!"

Anyway, yesterday I had the joy of going back to TIGRI!!!!! I sat in on the ANC there too. I met most of the women, and Pinky, the 14 year old lass who danced beautifully for us at the opening ceremony was also there. I was well looked after - 2 cups of chai with biscuits! Onker saw to that.

And now for breakfast...

Spent the last couple of days getting a clearer picture of the day to day work asha does as well as visiting other slum communities where Asha is working. Learned more about the 3 month computer syllabus which gives the children/youth an excellent start in Word Processing, Excel. Desk Top Publishing, Internet and I'm sure I've forgotten something else.... This is being rolled out in many communities now and is proving very popular as you can imagine.

A syllabus for teaching English has just been written, so that all the children will learn the same course instead of relying on Volunteer's own ideas and abilities whenever they arrive for a week, a month or 3 months. Of course there is opportunity for flexibility within the framework, but I'm sure it will be more helpful for all concerned.

We have met many more lovely, welcoming people.

Tomorrow I am hoping to meet Reena (my pretend Indian daughter!) After the incident at Ektar Vihar this week, we have been unable to visit her home as planned. After 3 attempts, Dick has finally managed to meet up with Mukesh, her husband, at the Asha Polyclinic next door, but Reena and I haven't seen each other at all. I am hopeful that tomorrow will be the day, so armed with the family gifts I shall try again! Poor Reena will be SO frustrated, last time we met in August, we only got a quick 15 minutes.

Tomorrow Dick is giving a seminar on Diabetes for 3 hours with many of the Asha healthworkers as well as the Doctors, not sure what we will be doing yet. The afternoon will be spent visiting a slum colony that was relocated after it was demolished a couple of years back. These people now have land rights and can live without further threats. We will see how the community has become esablished.

At the moment Nigel is out buying a lens for his camera, with Freddy. Sue is concerned about how much he will spend....Dick and I are concerned about our stomachs, Come on Nigel, we're hungry!!!!!!

Am enjoying reading about what the others are getting up to...wondering about Lorraine and tigers, but convinced Pauline will be in her element!

Jodh Ho!

Well we arrived safely. The 1st hour out of Jaipur was like the M5 in Gloucestershire. 3 lanes each way, flat, boring with occasional roadworks. Michaelwood services was excellent with good coffee and clean loos. Stopped for lunch at Pushkar, a sort of Indian Glastonbury where the great unwashed all go to get even filthier in the lake, but it wasn't there! After lunch taxi took cross country route. Driving was even more exciting than Roger's. Overtaking on blind corners or with trucks charging towards us with the inevitable hooting. Road full of potholes and speedbumps and sometimes no surface at all. Arrived very shaken if not stirred. Hotel had lost all trace of our booking, but managed to find a suite for us. This was more than we had expected, but still cheaper than the YMCA. It's also the biggest hotel room I've ever slept in. Gardens are nice and the pool is heavenly. Jodhpur is fun, the Mehangargh fort is very very big. The city really is painted blue. The streets are even more chaotic than Delhi and Jaipur. Thankfully there's no mosque in hearing distance - but I'm convinced I'm going deaf.

It's very very hot.

Ian and Frances

Another side of Delhi

From Sue

We are staying in a B and B in an enclave of middle class housing. We have 2 rooms on top of the building with,,,,heavenly treat…. our own kettle! There are trees all around and plenty of birds. I’m writing this before dawn and the crows have just had their wake up call. Can’t hear a mosque from here. Looking forward to Breakfast here . It is wonderful with fresh fruit included- such a delight after no ‘5 a day’ for ages!

Yesterday Louis and I went to the slum where he will be with James,  Finn and Emma, longer term volunteers from Bath. It was so different going in a small group- np greetings or cups of chai, just straight in to more formal ‘chalk and talk’ teaching. My head is now full of questions- How do you choose what to teach then? How can methods be more interactive? How is it taught in other places eg via TEFAL?

How many newly arrived people in Yeovil are struggling to speak English? Is there more we could be doing as a church to make them welcome? (Maybe this is why I have neen awake since 4.30!)

Good news, fellow travellers! We drove through areas of Delhi that have complete pavements, parks, trees and clear roads! no I am not hallucinating. North East Delhi is really attractive! The sun was shining, the temp about 30, and  an advert for chocolate proclaimed‘Seeing things differently’.

(Someone is snoring so loudly he sounds as though he is sleeping in our wardrobe and, no, it is not Nigel. Must be downstairs)

Can anyone help me? what is the collective noun for a group of people on the intenet? Every time we come back from anywhere out come the netbooks, find the nearest wifi then people start blogging! Our very own ‘Miss Annette  Book’ now has friends!

We have seen a new side to Dick- his determination to succeed. Whether it is to fit 4 large people, 4 huge suitcases and assorted backpacks into a taxi with a boot the size of a mini, or to find a good restaurant, patrolling darkened streets of Delhi armed with addresses on his phone. He emerged from the gloom saying – No food but it was worth the walk to see another unusual sign.

Well, the alarm clock has just gone off so I can officially ‘wake up now’. Whose turn is it to make the tea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sue

Back at Asha

Back at Asha HQ this morning (23Feb), with a plan to visit the slum next door (Ektar Vihar) with Raneesh, (Loan Officer for Asha, to look at some of the businesses Asha has arranged Loans for through the Micro Finance Scheme they have set up) and Dick, Julie and Rani (some of you will know Rani), who were to visit the womens group.  As we enter the slum a large group of young men collect together and “invite” us to leave, with much shouting, pushing, chanting and yelling, pushing Julie, Dick and Rani backwards.  Raneesh and I are just behind and see all this happen.   We all decide to gracefully depart, and are followed to the entrance, with the shouting continuing.  No harm done, and whilst a little frightening, there appeared no intent to hurt anybody.  Rani later explained that this was local Slum Politics, possibly reflecting the impact Asha has been having.  Very sad, the Womens Group were in the Community Centre awaiting their arrival.  Asha has been working in this slum for 20+ years and the Slum Lord can be a changeable character, approving or disapproving of Asha apparently as the mood takes him.  Please pray for him.

This event leads to Julie, Nigel, Rani and Raneesh visiting another slum at short notice, where we are introduced to several individuals who have been granted loans to start or expand their businesses, and also to individuals being supported at private schools and University.   These were gathered together on our arrival to come to the Community Centre serving the Slum to meet with us.    These businesses include two Beauty Salons, Three General Stores, Costume Jewellery and Sarees (Yes, Julie did buy another one, and I bought one for Sue!), and also providing a Loan for a Goods Carrier (large Auto Rickshaw), and a Loan for a motorbike for a main earner to travel independently around Delhi, combining a correspondence course with evening work, to earn money for the family.  We then walked round the slum and visited the businesses they operate.  Pictures to follow!

All very interesting and positive, a testament to their hard work and desire to improve their living standards.

Had long chat with Raneesh, they have a very robust and effective process for agreeing loans.  Discussed all this with Kiran later in the day, who would like a written evaluation of the scheme with recommendations for improvement, summarising our discussion.  A really positive outcome.   Part of this should also be to see what the Banks think, so I asked Kiran later in the day if we could meet with one of the Banks whilst we are here.  Kiran has a strong network!  A meeting was immediately arranged with a senior Marketing Manager based in the HO of Punjab National Bank tomorrow (24th) afternoon at Asha HQ.  Kiran tells us he is very much in favour of the scheme so it should be a very positive meeting.  PNB is one of the largest Banks in India.

Sue has had a great time today observing teaching English as a Foreign Language, more to follow. 

Went out looking for a meal, deja vue, went to Pizza Hut, and for change then next door to Costa Coffee!  As one for whom rich Indian Food has shown itself very recently to be a new concept to the parts that make themselves felt, this was very welcome!  

It's Life Jim but not as we know it!!

Me, Stu, Rog and Lorraine are staying at Jim's Jungle Retreat in the northeast of India. The journey by taxi from Delhi was long (7 hours) but it took 2 hours to get out of the Delhi! The usual mayhem on the roads on the way - truck, tractors, horse/oxen cart, motorbikes, bicycles, rickshaws, buses and strolling people. These all add to the flavour of the potholes and some dual-carriageway which seem to suddenly disappear into a dusty rutted track where all the transport vies for the best route through. We occasionally went through a village or town that always boasts a colourful market and has it's own particular theme of produce. One we passed had masses of vegetables for sale - much licking of lips as I'm having vegetable and salad withdrawal symptons! But having had the Delhi belly it's wiser to be cautious.

We stopped at a "services" on the road for refreshments - we called this one "Taunton Deane", others have been "Fleet" and "Brent Knoll"!! Me and Lorraine found the switch for a light and noticed the wiring hanging from the ceiling but that's as far as the amenities went - so we made do with a little daylight through a small window and a hole in the floor.

PART 2 I'm highly excited now as I have been up close to an elephant and fed her bananas and chappatis! She is a teenager (17 years) and quite naughty. I think I have died and gone to heaven! It's brilliant and we are going on a safari Wooo tomorrow. Hope to see lots of animals and birds especially the tiger. It's so coooool!

Pauline x ( Lorraine will be fine we'll look after her).

Now we are 4 !

By Lorraine (last will and testament)

Typing on pearl while being driven in an AC taxi (Purves and Allens) to Jungle Jim's, tool two hours to get out of Dehli ! Cars are definitely lower in the Indian drivers pecking order and the coach and minibus we have previously travelled in !
Lots more sharp braking and slalom driving in which I've wondered on several occasions if we would actually fit through the gap ! Lot of pot holes, cows, horse drawn carts, buses, tractors, people etc to manoeuvre around. Which leads me to speculate how one passes a driving test here .... even, is there one ?

Eight hours later we are at Jungle Jim's. Pauline is highly excited and I am quite frankly terrified.
It emerges that we are going on a safari tomorrow (5:30 am til 6pm) any one who loves me ... please pray ... lots. (I don't want to be remembered as cat food :-) )

English weather

Hi everyone - just to make you feel better, the weather in Yeovil at the moment, is snowing with rain following! Ooohh for the sun of Delhi - enjoy your holiday/following asha and see you all soon. Love to all Janet. xx

It’s fun to stay at the YMCA, (sing along all)

Once again the team has divided and divided again.

Yesterday afternoon we left Francis and Ian at the *VERY* nice hotel in Jaipur as we clambered onboard our chariots they call autorickshaws here. I just keep thinking “BEN HUR” … I Just keeping thinking “Chariot race” !

Then aboard the big bus, but not before marvelling at the creative 415v triple phase wiring distribution board, sort of spaghetti meet killer power all nailed to a wall ….. oooh that’s what 63amp fuses look like. Apologies for those who don’t find high power electricity interesting, but it’s a bit like finding a tiger, interesting but dangerous.

Talking of tigers that’s on the agenda for later in the week !

After a *Very* long bus ride back from Jaipur to Delhi (approx 7 hrs – only took 8 hours to fly UK to India) we arrived and the team split again.

Dick, Julie, Nigel and Sue in one direction and Roger, Stuart plus wives and  Louis returning to the YMCA for the night.

As I write this in the breakfast room of the “Y” we are preparing to split again as we leave Louis and head north to the jungle and hopefully TIGERS !  ….. Crocky is sooooo excited.

Kulfi and spaghetti

We decided to go to the LMB restaurant in Johari Bazaar to try to find some real Kulfi. It's renowned as their speciality. Its also one of mine but I've never found the real thing and I wanted to compare.

So we tried some. The taste is the same. Theirs is smoother - mine is nuttier. But theirs is covered in spaghetti!!!!! Its really weird but sort of works ok. So what I really need is some proper moulds to make it in.

We decided to walk back to the copper chimney restaurant through the old city. The shopping was brilliant. Several saris, kutas, bangles, table cloths and wall hangings later we finally found them.

We now have 6 kulfi moulds. I hope they work otherwise I've wasted 60 rupees.

PS It's raining heavily in Jaipur. But I don't think it will fill the lake at Amber.

Ian aka Attila the Bunny

Jaipur Coffee Shop and other bits

Not many proper Coffee Shops in the Starbucks/Cafe Nero/Costa league..  In fact……………none.    Pauline is missing this important facet of UK life, so when the man on the street says …i take you good coffee shop…..Pauline became very excited and keen to follow……..…sad really………we should have known……….first we have to visit the brothers linen shop, much rupees later, including Sue getting a free bag because she spent so much, we are encouraged to continue to the coffee shop……..via another linen shop then to the coffee shop, which is a jewellery shop with two seats, and a promise of coffee to come…..we move on.

Returned to Hotel via rickshaw, some pictures in in an earlier post …   ..………..to get ready for the bus trip back so now sitting out on the grass drinking tea and eating………….

…………..Julie has just announced that she is going to pop over to the shop one last time…..saying…….I havent bought much, just what I need, ……… as she rummaged in her bag for her purse………

Streets of Jaipur

 

Busy, noisy, dusty, colourful, full of life

Elephant Riding Part Two

Oh what fun………………

First find your rickshaw, I mean elephant

 

Climb on

Sort out your bag, and wonder if you did pack that extra battery

Swop hats for the real experience

Couldnt miss this one, has he seen a Roger Flap? or is just that he has seen us?

Just to set the scene really.  absolutely stunning.

Can I go again?

The "Roger flap"

India is just too weird, at the YMCA we were saying that there ought to a "Roger flap" similar to a big cat flap since he sends so much time in other peoples rooms.

We come to Jaipur and find the rooms are fitted with exactly these faculities.

See photo.

From Bianca & Geoff

This is a very heartfelt thank you to all of you in India and to those of you who are now back in England - Daisy has come home with many, many exciting, funny, sad, heartwarming and heartwrenching stories.
The common thread that ran through all her stories was just how much you all cared for her.
We feel fortunate that Daisy has not only had these experiences, but that she has been able to share them with such lovely people.
Thank you Bianca & Geoff x

Hi everyone! - seems very strange to be writing this to you so many miles away in cold Yetminster. Plane journey home yesterday was fairly uneventful, several loads of turbulance notwithstanding - did say not to have that extra large coke! IGI is a very surreal experience compared to LHR, very calm and serene. We were a little later taking off than planned due to the late arrival from England of our plane, but we managed to catch up a bit in the air and arrived at 17:50 - see comment about coke!

Friday's inauguration ceremony was lovely, with the students giving lovely speeches, singing and two lovely dances. The ladies joined in with Indian folk dancing and got us up to join them as well, but not before we did our party piece, and I must say that the Yeovil and Liverpool Choral Society (see right) did the Von Trapp family proud with their rendition of Doe a Deer.

The journey home seemed very short, and a much better way home through Salisbury and Shaftesbury and through to Yetminster than going the A303 route - might try this again in the future. Thank you very much Bianca for collecting us at Heathrow and taking us home, it was very much appreciated.

On a more serious note, it was wonderful to come home and sink into a really lovely, warm, luxurous bubble bath, with a marvellous cup of filter coffee, a few light scented candles strewn around the bathroom - just perfect.

I have found that I have not missed the honking as we drove into YCC this morning. John, Peter, Charlotte, Joe and I went for lunch today and I did suggest to John that I could drive home Delhi style but for some reason this suggestion was turned down - can't think why!

Seems that I have not been the only Turner family member painting this week - John has been busy turning a very blue boys room into a magnolia guest room and Elmers cousin has decided to take residence there.

Thank you again Julie and Dick for all you have done for the team during this trip and I hope that next week goes well for you with Asha. Missing "the team" and the laughs we shared. Looking forward to seeing you all when you get back. Just about to have a cup of tea and five mintues. Love Janet xxx

From Ian & Frances

Hi All hello from sunny Jaipur temperature in the 30's hope you are all nice and warm in yeovil.
Went up to see the Amber fort today and rode on an Elephant !!!!!!!!!!!!! Not sure they were very happy. Resisted the temptation to buy a 850.00 pound carpet , couldn't get it in my suit case.

Love Frances.

Ian here, resisting people trying to sell me things not really a problem. I really don't like worshipping a shrines to Gods I don't understand, and frankly worhipping the great God of Stuff really turns me off.

Haven't yet found an Elephants Foot Umbrella stand, or a Green Eyed Yellow Idol. I'll treat everyone to that on the last night. Looking forward to seeing our second weird observatory tomorrow.

Namaste Ian & Frances

Elephants, monkey’s and bazaars!

Wow it’s so amazing here in Jaipur and so Hot, Hot, Hot!! I’ll not want to come back to cold England!  Sat in the hotel garden with the sound of birds and rickshaws.  The city is mayhem and I’m loving it.  Busy bazaars and colour.  The trip to Amber Fort was spectacular especially my first ride on an elephant.  Fabulous! Saw monkeys hanging around in a tree as they do – we stared at them and they stared at us!!  Amber Fort is so stunning – look out, more ideas for decorating!!!!  (A big groan from Stuart!)  We’re off to the light show soon at sunset.  Missing Harry but he’s got vital work to do….Love to all xx

Sari!

Feel I need to update you on the sari fitting! We all arrived in our Salwar Kameez's and Kurtas (men's shirt) ready for the inauguration ceremony where speeches would be made, songs would be sung and dances would be danced!
I arrived scruffy compared to the others, armed with my sari, petticoat and tailor-made blouse and was escorted into the "Elmer" room, door bolted and the process began. First the petticoat, then the top which fastened down the front with about 6 hooks and eyes. I just stood then like a manniquin. Next came the sari material which was wrapped and twisted and pleated and folded and safety pinned....Lashmi, the teacher was main dresser, but Sunita and her colleague were adding their touches and opinions. I failed miserably on the accessory front...not enough bling by far....Daisy and Sue had parted with bling bangles on loan, however I had no necklace, no toe rings, I had also left my ankle bracelets at the YMCA...in fact I had failed miserably on every bling level...

Then came the makeup.....apparently my eyeliner was not liquid and therefore not acceptable,so I stood whilst I had a makeover....eyeshadow, eyeliner( think Amy Winehouse...sp?), mascara, lip liner, lipstick....coming from all angles...I just kept my eyes shut and my mouth open...

Finally, Bindi was applied and red lipstick in the parting (to show I am married)

Finally, I was allowed to face the world and all the stares! I walked gingerly, but having 4 safety pins in position helped keep everything in its proper place. I was even able to "dance" later and am quite sad to think that the only way I will be able to wear it again is if the entire process is repeated.....

Impressions of Jaipur.

It seems  strange to be somewhere that is not completely flat, after getting used to the plains around Delhi. Jaipur is surrounded by dry rocky hills- often with very dead trees. It hasn’t rained here for 10 years, lakes have dried up and bore holes have to go down 400 feet. Lakes have been drained to provide water. There are more camels and fewer cows in the streets.

It is also a calmer city, even if it stll has about 3 million people in it!

Riding on an elephant today was a frst! having spent last week painting murals of Elmer on the walls of the community centre all last week, it was appropriate to ride on a real elephant! The elephants had painted faces, in bright  colours. We had to go on top of a wall, then clamber across onto the seat. We set off up the elephant ramp to the Amber Fort. Our elephant seemed to  rather slow as the others steadily overtook us. It lumbered slowly up the hill, swaying from side to side. We have photo evidence!

 

the one photo I wish I had was of our arrival in Jaipur. All of us crammed in 4 auto-rickshaws with luggage! I ended up more or less sitting on the handlebars of the rickshaw, hanging half out the door- OK until the driver wanted to turn left! Dick was in the back of the one in front, trying to hang on to 3 large suitcases, without falling out! very like dodgems!

PS Hi to all of you now at home!

Speaking Italian

Twice in two days I’ve been able to have (small) conversations in Italian, even though I’m in India. Yesterday at the rooftop “mediterraneo restaurant”, which is by the way a really weird experience. Starting with the “Duke Nukem” approach through a closed and shuttered twisty maze of corridor of shops in a tower block to a non descript lift. Dan … even your Mum recognised the game play .. any moment we’d need to RPG the octobrain as the lift opens. The lift takes you to a roof top with big satellite dishes and a backdrop of a night time cityscape… classic Duke Nuke .. but now you’d switch to the chain gun eh Dan ?

Once we got to the restaurant it took on a surreal ambience as the beer came in tea pots and I was able to order food in Italian. Crazy !!!

Today I’m sitting in the late afternoon sun writing this blog as two ladies at the next table chatter away also in Italian. I’ve spoken to them it’s their third time here.

Interesting to note that all our rooms have a “Roger flap” pictures perhaps to follow.

Time to blog at last!

I realised today that I haven't been able to read the blog since Wednesday...so I've now caught up! Jaipur and this hotel are a lovely oasis after the busyness of the last week. Working in Tigri slum was for me very special. I think it was my best slum experience yet. This isn't just because I have been able to be more personally involved this time - not ill or spending days off from the team teaching etc.. It was also that this community in Tigri have looked after us and opened themselves to us in a very special way. I feel I have been able to get to know more of them as individuals than before - and that is such a privilege! I think that meeting the students, giving them a tutorial on life prospects and encouraging them in their dreams, and then spending time with the kids in workshops etc has added an extra dimension. Watching the children write letters back to children of Birchfield school has also been special! It was great to visit homes and hear stories, then have opportunity to pray for people in their situations has also been an amazing experience.

Next week, when we get back to Delhi, Kiran has asked me to sit in with antenatal and children-under-five clinics and report back what I have observed. I will also be doing a teaching session with the doctors AND nurses on Diabetes. We will be talking with Kiran about how we can help with strategy for supporting Asha in the UK. Also Freddy wants to take us to see the new settlement in the north of Delhi where the people of Thokar No. 8 slum were settled after they were turned out of their homes in 2006.

So it will be an interesting week - but first we will continue to enjoy a rest in Jaipur...!

Special Tea

Great italian meal laast night.  Some of our number decided a beer would be good, having had a very dusty day in the bus.  Wot…no beer?   But there is ………………. provided you have it in a tea pot with a mug.   Much “Special Tea” was re-ordered during the evening.

Nigel

Hand gel

Hi all, especially team Janet, Daisy, Angelique and Mark now back in cold UK ! Just to let u know the gel u left behind is being WELL used....thank you ! And Frances has taken Daisy's role as Queen.....I'm pretty sure the guide who showed us round Agra fort this morning alluded to her as Queen! This hotel is definitely an oasis of cleanliness and refreshing after last week, to be recommended! We rode elephants this morning and it was a good experience .....so, bring on those tigers!!!! xxxx

Elephant Riding

Trip to the Amber Fort for all except Julie & Dick (who have been before!), and an Elephant ride to the fort entrance.  Much hilarity with hawkers throwing blankets and shawls up on to the elephant for you to look at, and buy or drop back.  The vaguest interest attracts all their friends who then try and sell you anything else.  The guide was great as he prewarned us with the correct price.   Very dry and dusty, with the lake beneath the Fort empty.  It has been empty for several years as monsoons have been very light. 

Planning a trip to see a light show set on the Amber Fort tonight, if we can get a taxi (apparently sparce for such a popular trip). 

Crabtree reporting

Good Moaning. Officer Crabtree reporting in. This moaning while it was still dick, we were woken by the mislom coal to prior. What a wired nose to wick up to. We went to Omber Fart today, where we had a rude on an elephint up to the fart. Jaipur has over three mollion pople, including many slim pople loving in slims. There are many biggers, bigging as soon as we step out of the taxi, but we do not give minny or we would be surrendered by all the biggers on the stroot. The slim at Togri seems a long tame ago in some respocts,but many thongs will stay in our hurts for the rist of our loaves. That will doe for new.Over and out. Officer Crabtree. x

I'm home :(

Hello everyone,

Back in england and last night was down into the minuses :( Flight was good with a farewell curry for tea! Can't believe I am back in England and am already missing the Indian way of life!! Yesterday the car journey home was so quiet we didn't quite know what had hit us - I'm sure your bus journey was not quite so quiet!! I am really missing everybody already and it feels really wierd that me, Janet and Angelique are not last down to breakfast greeted with everybody's smiley faces!

Julie and Dick thankyou again for giving me this opportunity, I have so many treasured memories from this trip and I have enjoyed every single minute of it!! Enjoy the rest of your trip everybody!!!

Daisy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

asha2010

Eveningin Jaipur.
Quiet and clear.  and warm.
Missing Harry and Crocky Wock had an early night.  Seems strange that our friends had still not arrived in the UK as I write this.
asha2010

End of the first week

Busy week, catching up.

Harry has been causing much hilarity throughout the week, Stuart “The Pied Piper” has difficulty shaking off the kids, but I think he enjoys it! Harry has decided to stay in Tigri, they have offered him a good home, and hopefully we will be able to visit again.

Roger continues to keep us all entertained, and the final dinner on Thursday night led to a chilli eating contest between Roger and Louis. We declare Louis the winner, given hints of reluctance from the Allen Camp. All chilli’s were eaten. Following the chilli episode earlier in the week, Stuart is beginning to get his senses back and is thoughtfully waiting for an opportune moment upon which to show true friendship to Roger, we shall see, ring side seats can be bought “at a good price”, dockets will be required! (all on the trip will identify with this).

The Inauguration yesterday was amazing, much singing and dancing (including us, but not me!). Certificates were also given out for passing computer courses. The support and appreciation from the women, and children was quite overwhelming. WE are all going to miss the friends that we have now made.

Today (Saturday) sees 4 returning to the UK as planned, and the rest of us heading on to Jaipur for a couple of days. Five hour public bus trip, no chickens or goats, but free water and newspapers. Completely different scenery, fields, hills, and industrial areas, usual assortment of transport, bikes, motorbikes, small vans for 4, with fifteen plus crammed in and one chap using his mobile, whilst holding on to the back. We are quite convinced that it was only to get a better signal, but as our bus came level, there were at least 13/14 inside a vehicle with 7 seats.

Off to the Amber Fort tomorrow, including an Elephant ride, we hope. Spending the rest of afternoon, 4:00 onwards, having tea in the garden of the Hotel we are now in with three netbooks produced, all updating the blog using very cheap WiFi access, or updating Facebook, or whatever.

The final blog of Harry the monkey.

The final blog of Harry the monkey.

Hey I've got a really useful job now,
I've been invited to stay on and help at ASHA.
But this is going to keep me very busy with little time left for blogging
and what with the dodgy internet connection and all and .... well, you know.

It's kinda sad to see the team leave, I think Pauline had a little tear in her eye, or was it the dust ?
But they've gone now, some back to the UK and the rest to Jaipur in the south for some R&R.
Although with Stuart, Roger and Crocky in tow I'm not sure it will be totally relaxing at all !!
I won't miss that scaly pest; Crocky I mean, not Roger.
The last I saw of Crocky he was still causing mayhem from the minibus window with the kids.

The team got a good send off, with garlands (I even got one), talks, singing and dancing.
I joined in with singing "Doe a deer" and did a bit of dancing too. I think Freddy got it on the camera.
Perhaps I'll be in the newsletter, or maybe not, who knows ? But make sure you get one to check.
Freddy was saying I may have a place helping to reinforce the message in talks on health and education.
A very important job for this humble old monkey.

The center looks very bright and cheery with all the painting and characters on the wall.
Team did a good job there and also just being with people and sharing, which is something I'll continue to do here.

So a fond farewell from your very own big ape, Harry.
It's been a privilege to be with this team and to be your correspondant for a while.

I'll be OK, come and see me some time if you can.
Love Harry xxx

jai ho

sorry, meant Jaipur, where we are now at a very pleasant hotel in a warm city suitable for warmth-loving parrots. Pauline. Good coach trip down. Now on the lawn waiting for afternoon tea. Thinking of you all in chilly Blighty. All for now from the Alien Mobile! X

Harry the monkey joins ASHA

More to follow ......
Team now splitting and elements either returning to UK or heading off to Jaipur.
Bill produced by YMCA was about 10 foot long, no kidding.
The team accountant took hours to lick it into some sort of sense on the computer spreadsheet (well done Nigel .. have a beer) .... ooops that will generate another bill !

KATE .. cat tablets in the cupboard with the cat food. (glucosmine and chonrondite .. ?spelling)

Harry and the monkey business

I dunno what's a big hairy ape if not a part of this team, but today said team minces off and met Dr Kiaran Martin without yours truely Harry !
I mean it's not like I'm like crocky wock, I'm well behaved and even a bit shy.
They tell me she's an admirable lady and quite busy I expect, but probably she's been frightened off by Crocky.

He's no better you know, although he'd launched a "jaws" style attack on Daisy yesterday in the bus it was actually foiled by Daisy not recognising the theme tune at all ! So she lives on.

The hogbens were locked IN their room this morning and had to text for help,
Stuart thought he was last out and locked the door, not realising (he claims) they were still in.
Half way through breakfast the text for rescue arrived, to much mirth at the table.
We've had to take room security more seriously since the "Rogergate break ins" of late.
Some have suggested that he's been spotted wandering the corridors late at night searching the elusive signal for "redAlert" connectivity :-)

Painting finished WHOOP! this includes the glow in the dark outlinings that Stuart was super keen to provided. Was working either in the room where the staff were trying to cook/brew tea or in the (really) small classroom (counted about 19 kids) so basically in the way most of the time. I'm so blessed that people were willing to work around me, or over me, or alongside me etc, etc. Won't see the glow in the dark actually work ... it's daylight when I was painting it ... doh! But I'm sure it will be OK. Given that the electricity can be a little shy at time I'm sure it will get a chance to appear in the dark.
Al Tiude (The giraffe) was completed, he's the height measurement on the wall. One small hiccup, the graduations were done up in metric ... then found Imperial were required.
A quick consulation with Dr Hogben (reasonable rates - but haggle) and a recovery plan hatched. It involves bamboo ladders and ants ... but best you see the pictures.

Such a range of emotions to go through - lovely people and harrowing stories to hear and see. Went around part of the Tigri Slum yesterday to see the work that ASHA do here for the community. Met several families and a 1 day old baby girl. As she is the 6th daughter in the family and a son is wanted, the mum was under pressure to sell her for adoption at the hospital by her husband and family. It's such a sad situation and the mum is finding it hard - she refused to part with the baby but who knows how this will end. The conditions are better than the slums without ASHA's help, but still....

We met with a children's group again this afternoon. They are delightful and so enthusiastic to sing and play. We painted the girls fingernails and played with games and puppets. This morning we met with Dr Kiaran Martin and a large group of students who are taking their equivalent of GCSE's and A levels. The opportunities are opening up for them as they can now get bank loans to go to university if they have the right level of exam results. The aspirations and dreams they have make them very focused and determined. It was very moving to hear their thoughts of the future and what they want to do with their lives. So many dreams that could happen because they have now been given the chance. We take education and opportunity so much for granted in the UK. Here it is a privilege and they are eager to take it.

So the painting is now finished and I have to say that the team have done a brilliant job. Many artisitic skills have come out and the murals are fabulous. I expect many photos will be shown. It has been great fun, very tiring and well worth it. It's the inauguration tomorrow for the building so I look forward to that. A big celebration.....

Elmer

Well just done Pre school this side of world..... 'Mr Tiger", 'Roly Poly' 'Heads Shoulders Knees and Toes', plus a large Elmer collage which went down a treat. And Ian and Frances were stars with the balloon modelling, they were deluged with chidren, I think they have found their true vocations. Great morning listening to the college students talking of their hopes and dreams.

Girly afternoon

Yesterday a group of girls came in and we were pushed in the room with them. They were playing drums and dancing. Off course they wanted us to dance as wel and I was dragged up. At one point all of our team had left and I was still in the room with 15 girls wanting me to dance for them. I tried to get out of there to find some others but the only one I saw was Marc who was painting and seemed very determened to ignore me. 2 girls grapped my hands and another one pushed me back into the room.

It didn't take too long before the others came back and we were all dancing India style. One of the girls liked me a lot and kept sitting close to me, or all over me. Then she held my hand and showed me all the women from the team that were there, asking 'is that your mother?' and every time I told her my mother is in Holland she didn't understand.
The girl decided we needed a photo shoot so she took my camera and I took pictures together with all her friends and also a few with her.

When I thought the dancing and photo shoot were finally over I walked into the hallway and saw Daisy being dressed up in wedding jewellery. When the ladies spotted me they wanted to dress me up as well. 6 ladies started touching me, dressing me up, girls looking at it all around us. Heavy earrings, heavy necklace and something falling over my forehead. It looked good. Off course the girl wanted another photo shoot at that point, so we took many more pictures.

It was a good afternoon altogether. With lots of new experiences.

Hello

Hi just had the cheque handing over presentation , think the total is about 7080.00 pounds and rising. met Kieran, founder of asha charity. a most gracious lady. love to you all.

A week in the life of .....

Having not been able to get on to the computer for a few days, there is a wealth of experiences to be put to paper but where to start.

Since Monday we have been painting three rooms and a corridor with pictures from Elmer the Elephant - multicoloured and nothing like you would imagine! We have done purple trees and pink and yellow polka dot flowers - and this is not a result of lack of sleep!

We have also had the privilege of being taken around the slums of Tigri and met the people there. They have such harrowing stories but are always welcoming. We met a girl of about 9 years old who has lung TB, she went into hospital for injections and had a sline drip, which unfortunately became infected and she has had an operation to cut out the infection, sadly this became infected and her whole hand is now black, and she is in danger of having her hand amputated. We prayed for her and for her family for healing. We met a 75year old man who is looking after his two grandchildren aged 12 and 7, as his son and daughter-in- law had died. the community around him are rallying round and helping to look after his grandchildren. This sense of community is inspiring.

The children here are always cheerful and ready to greet us with a smile and always wanting to shake our hands. They have been following Daisy around - she has such an entourage it is a pleasure to be part of her court Even in the traffic she gets all the men glancing into the mini bus just to see her. Her Daisy chain grows daily.

Today we met Dr Kieran Martin and heard the inspirational stories from the older children here, who are doing their GCSE and A level exams in March. Because it is so noisy here, they are doing their revision at 4.00am 8.00am or 9.00pm - 12.00pm, very often they will be working during the day to support their family. Despite this they are getting 85% and upwards in their exams. They are all very eager to learn as they know that this is the key to their future. We often take for granted in the UK the opportunity we have for education, it is the complete opposite here, they know that if they do well, then they will have a much better future. It is humbling to hear of their hopes and dreams, and to know that with hard work and application, they will make it.

The painting here is now nearly finished, just a black and white checked elephant to go! The team has done a tremendous job and a lot of hidden artistic talent has emerged. We are going to do a collage of Elmer this afternoon - so expect glue and bits and pieces everywhere. Also the balloon modelling might make another appearance such was it's popularity last time. I think Ian will be dreaming of dogs soon.

We will be going to the inauguration tomorrow, which will mean getting rid of our painting clothes and dressing up!

Harry has been such a hit with everyone. Especially his antics out of the mini bus window in the traffic - he actually spent the night with us last night as he was not feeling very well.

We have had such fun with the children and the helpers here. We have done face painting and nail painting with them, and they have done henna work with us. Yesterday, we even had dancing lessons which was a hoot. We have very achy muscles now from doing the different moves. This has nothing to do with the five flights of stairs we do daily to get to our room.

John - the ear plugs have come in very useful at night as the surrounding area is very noisy. Could do you with you bringing me a coffee though - I have to get up and go to breakfast before I get a cup!

Have managed to do some shopping and bought a few presents for everyone still got some money left but not much. See you soon. Jxx

Calling Earth

Thursday - On Tues night, did another marathon hike into the centre of Delhi on the quest for our evening meal. EVENTUALLY found the elusive and allegedly re-located exotic establishment which, in English, translated into Pizza Hut.... At least the prices were a quarter of those in the UK.
Thursday morning, after more painting,we had a time of fellowship and prayed with some of the people of Tigri. Quite humbling. Various issues of concern. Alcohol causing problems and family disruption here just as in the West. Lorrie and I went for a guided walkabout in some of the lanes, calling on various people, mostly mum's with babies. Plenty to make one think and evaluate the importance or non-importance of the trappings of our material world. Sounds like a song coming on - I'll chat to my fellow pentagarian, Madonna.
Lorrie is chuffed as she finally found evidene of Health and Safety in India! A label on an Indian-made toy that claims NO SHARD EDGES. Might be safe enough even for me to play with.
Stu, Dick and I are suffering Red Alert withdrawal symptoms, but we shall only have to endure cold turkey for another one week, two days, 7 hours and 53 minutes - not that I'm counting!!
Lerv to all in Yeovil and Bristol, etc.
Rog xx

Harry's surprise

Harry's effect on bystanders at traffic lights

Friends at last

Wedding Jewellery

Sue and jewellery................ the women visiting the centre each day are now bringing costume jewellery with them, much laying out of cloth and opening of boxes to entice our team, to which they succum with great glee.   Guys, control the money!!   Sue is getting blinged...... Angelique and Daisy have both now been dressed up for weddings, to the great glee of all, pictures to follow.

Well, I get the prize for the first to have the full Delhi experience - Delhi belly! Who will be next?
The Tigri ladies are doing thir best to improve our appearance- obviously painty tee shirts are not 'a la Mode'. It seems that nosooner do you sit down on the carpet or bench than someone offers to paint your nails, give you a bindi or drape you in jewellry. I now have a complete set of bling- necklace, ankle brcelets, toe rings and bracelets. It was a bit like Cinderella- watching the team trying to force their hands into Indian width bracelets!

on a serios note, some of the people we meet are overcoming such odds. We met one student, now at Delhi Uni, who shared that his father is alcoholic, starting drinking in the morning and then abusing the family. He has not been drunk for the past 2 months. How the students mange to study in these conditions i cannot imagine.

walking round the lanes we met another student in her home. The room at the back had one bed where all 9 of the family slept. A ladder went upp to the roof and this is where the student studied. She also taught some chidren each dayto earn some money- about 100 rupees a month (£1.40). Asha has taken all the girls shopping befor starting uni and bought them salwaar, shoes etc so they fitted in better.

Next home had a room at the front for father-in-law, complerte with hookah pipe. Mum was pregnant and lived with the family in a room at the back. She had not had any ante-natal care and couldn;t be persuaded to have this, her third baby, at hospital. She said the doctors would scold her and beat her.Then father-in-law came in with the 3 year old boy who had typhoid. They said all their money goes on medicine for him.

Update from 15th

Monday 15 Feb
Well, we have spent our first full day in Tigri slum. Now folk have got over the initial impact of first impressions, we walked into the community centre like going somewhere familiar! The painting teams swung into action with people discovering previously unknown talents! Radishan mixed paint colours for us (why did we choose pictures that need so many!!) Louis did a wonderful giant ‘Elmer’ and giraffe, Ian managed a huge globe with India at the centre and the rest of us painted people from around the world, their bodies dressed in flags. By the end of the day it was really taking shape.
We had time to work with children and students too – a careers discussion with students in the morning. We could hear the conversation drifting out of the room as we painted. Roger, Nigel, Stuart and Janet shared about their jobs and our families jobs, then the students shared their dreams and difficulties. All very positive.
In the afternoon the children’s group arrived. It’s really hard to guess their ages as they look much younger than our children. They seemed to range from 8-14. We sang action songs about animals (Thank you New Life Playgroup!) then had crafts. They coloured an Elmer wall hanging (thank you Edd!), had their faces painted, played dominoes and listened to an Elmer story. The children are great at counting in English but are glad to practise their conversation with anyone English-speaking.
One of the girls hennaed Janet, Frances and my hands. It was only after they had squeezed henna onto the fronts and backs of our hands they explained you had to sit there for 1 1/2 hours! Have you ever tried to eat a biscuit using 2 fingers?
Impressions from today- a hugely warm welcome, a place of calm and purpose in the middle of a frantic city, a privilege to be here!

Sue

Vital statistics in the street...

Armed with sari material purchased in Jaipur last summer, Soni, Sunita(two amazing ladies!) Dick and I went to visit the tailor's shop. Here I was asked to choose the style of my blouse from at least 50 designs, this being just the neckline..then another 50 ish designs for the back design. Length Madame? I explained to Soni that I wanted the longest possible as vanity and weight gain, plus rolls of flab were not really pleasant for public viewing...so out comes the tape measure and all my upper bits were measured in full view of the street, who cares eh?! Smiling lads looked on, woman stared...I think unimpressed by this scruffy, paint streaked woman in baggy T shirt and shapeless trousers....yeah yeah, I know vanity, vanity , all is vanity. Dick took photos to record to moment..felt like Exhibit A.

Then we visited the next shop for the petticoat. Now I had imagined just a calico petticoat,plain and hidden....but no, there were shelves of multicolured ones and Soni and Sunita deliberated about which shade and we all discussed it...Dick was offered a chair... The petticoat adds to the colour under the shimmery sari, you see. So length is measure, no problem there...all Indian woman are shorter than me....yes really...

Finished? No next we go next door for the draw string cord and the all important safety pins which I'm told will hold everything together...I do NOT want to unravel...

So three shops later, we return back to the slum. Tomorrow my top will be ready, Friday I shall wear it for the Inauguration ceremony. Sunita will have to dress me for there are many many pleats and folds.....and no doubt much amusement from the other ladies who will be a willing audience!

Harry the monkeys blog

Stuart; woke up to a bit of surprise this morning as I didn't expect to find a bloomin' great ape in bed with us. Yes it was Harry, unless of course Pauline has developed a very hairy chest ! All became clear when Pauline explained he was there to provide insulation from the morning chill and noise .... mmmm but Harry is spending the next night with Angelique.

Well that's one pest expelled from the room, there is of course the Roger Allen who keeps popping up again and again. Pauline met him unexpectedly on her way to the shower, just opened the bedroom door and there he was. He seems to be mostly harmelss so we let him roost on balcony and put him back outside the main door when we go to bed, a bit like putting the cat out for the night. I think it was Nigel that suggested we have a Roger flap fitted to the front door so he could come and go easily. But then we'd have to put a bell on him too so we could hear him coming in.

Harry stayed in the building today and didn't disrupt todays field trip into the slum, but kept the kids amused who visited. I'm sure he was recognised as we were driving into the slums today though, for sure he was being waved to.

I'm sad to report that crocky wock has become even more of a handful. During the story of Queen Daisy's hairslide, he was pausing from his part in the epic tale of "the mind map and Harry the monkey" (featuring Louis - the large tree), in order to eat the odd small child as a snack ! Then he was caught on camera in the return bus sneaking up on the regal Queen Daisy, to the backdrop of the "Jaws" theme sound effects from the Roger Allen, was Daisy eaten ? ... tune in the next blog to find out.

The magic tricks with the ASHA staff are going well, I do one trick and the all dissapear !!
No only joking, they are a wonderful audience and I'm enjoying their time and attention.
Painted a giraffe today with Dick and Nigel, some say using brushes might have been better, but hey they were handy.

Field visit

Just returned. Met lots of mums and children, mum who had just had 6th baby girl last night, much to disappointment of her family who all wanted a boy! We saw all that Asha is achieving yet still found it all very sobering.

Frivellous Part 3

Finding a free source of unsecured internet from your balcony, albeit in the dark, hardly daring to move in case you lose the signal and managing to talk to both Nick and Laura Allen tonight has been an unexpected plus! Only problem now is that I itch...bites have appeared, cream applied, but I may have issues with this tomorrow! Still it was worth it! Last night the only place we could get any signal was on Stuart and Pauline's bed...so a cushion was deployed on the floor and I sat in their room whilst they sat in bed.....it's all good here!!!! To add to stretching the friendship....I appeared from the shower draped in towel, to find Roger crouching in a remote corner of our family room (Dick and I have adjoining rooms with Stuart and Pauline...with interconnecting doors...with gaps..so you have to pick your place to undress with care to maintain your modesty!!) Anyway..I digress..there is Roge trying to access our free internet by roaming around the rooms....lurking in corners....I don't know why no one else can get it in their rooms.....we will charge for entrance soon....Incidentally, when I mentioned the money pouch, I meant flesh COLOURED not flesh covered....disgusting thought...

Everyone has been remarkably normal today...no real incidents except Nigel and the sleeping homeless man....Roger suggested he never became a Street Pastor...it WAS VERY dark and quite difficult to see in the gloom, but we all managed to avoid treading on him....but no...Nigel obviously not....and by the way..no belt yet...but he's working on it....

Janet tells me that sharing with Angelique and Daisy is well and a shower routine has been esablished. Daisy first "because I take the longest to get ready" Daisy's words, Angelique second...then they have to shake Janet awake for her turn....

Barista's coffee house is now becoming a frequent evening habit....although none of us fancy the advertised "Now we have coffee that is flavoured with olive oil and garlic" yuk...

Well now it is midnight, so I will sign off...not bad for someone who turns the light out at 10pm normally!

Bits and bobs

Yes you're right Lucy, we'e all dousing ourselves regularly in anti bac gel and sometimes bottles, crisp packets too....you can get quite neurotic. So did Tali enjoy the cheese and wine? Hope Surey is god Laura? Glad you're both reading the blog, wonder if Sara is LOL ! Have grabbed couple mins on net, we are all suffering net deprivation! Had great morning painting and meeting with ladies! x

Hellooo... finally I have been able to blog! Only day 6!! What an AMAZING time I am having out here, everybody I have met has been so lovely and welcoming. The Tigri people have really opened their hearts to us, with many harrowing stories. The field visit further opened my eyes to the hardship faced in everyday life here however their true sense of community and support structre seems to some how bring a positive to the sadest of stories! Julie and Dick I cannot thankyou enough for this opportunity - you will never be able to get rid of me now!!!

As for the hair, blond is definatley the way forward!! I'm sure you all agree! Everytime I look around there is another camera pointing at me, even in pizza hut last night! However it seems to bring endless amusement to everybody else, I don't know how many times I have nearly been sold for 3 camels!! :)

Anyway... there is painting to be done.. Missing everybody so much, Felicity you better not be sleeping in my bed!! :D Love you all xxxxxx xxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

What impacts you

We have been in India for 6 days now and I've written 30 pages of journal, but this is my first time on the blog. Of those 30 pages only half a page is about out visit to the Taj Mahal, because the things in the slum are much more interesting and impacting on me.
I find it is really good to be in the slum and doing some work here, I enjoy meeting the people that live here and hearing about their lives. Some of the people have such difficult backgrounds and go through lots of hard stuff. But they all look happy and are smiling a lot. Their faith in God is so strong.

Just this morning we had a prayer meeting and we heard some of the things God has done in Tigri. After hearing the testimonies we prayed for some of the people. Some of them are ill, and others have family members who are alcoholics. We prayed for those situation, and we are waiting for God to make the change in their lives.

Painting Hippo's

The monkey blog (by Harry).
Well I didn't think as a monkey I could really add much chaos to the Dehli traffic, but hey ho ..
Nigel has a REALLY good photo of the surprised faces, they just don't expect a bloomin' great ape appearing at the window. The guy trying to sell foam footballs to traffic stopped at the crossing got a surprise too with the "no thanks my crocodile would eat it" dismissal and the sudden appearance of crocky wock from below the window, honest he jumped at least a foot !
Crocky wock has been attempting to just simply eat any of the other small stuffed animals on the bus trip into the slum in the morning ... Roger Allen has the video footage ... all to a wildlife documentary running commentry. Harry is TOO big for crocky wock to eat, but Daisy is a possiblity. Nigel says that he can feel his sanity slipping away in this company.

Harry got to spend the day in the ASHA building today, as the team on the slum visit very wisely wanted to avoid the 'drowning in children' experience, although it must be said that Harry has a rival in the attraction stakes. Someone, who shall remain nameless for now is building up quite a bit of attention.

So the day was spent on the painting project, .. ever painted a hippo ? Takes AGES, the things never stay still and keep wandering off. (photo to follow).

Stuart and Harry