Friday, January 18, 2008

Global Volunteers India Team Journal - IND0801a1

January 17, 2008 Ginny

The day started with a great breakfast as usual. All of us went to our separate assignments. Jan and George are the best prepared of all of us and I just follow their lead. Jan and George had every one of the 35 SEAMS youngsters brushing their teeth ( 2 happy birthday versus), washing their hair, their faces, and scrubbing their fingernails followed by cleaning their nails then each was given a nail clipping. Jan and George did a superb job teaching them about personal hygiene. Ginny conducted a math/science class with the older boys which went better than usual. They begin exams next week. Stephen bought all the children treats (oranges and candy) which was followed by their lunch. Forgot to mention that breakfast was at 10 am for the children so everyone slept in. I left a copy of the song Ruby for Ruby to memorize. She is doing well on her time nine tables which I have been hounding her everyday to memorize. We returned for lunch and Lucy and Elyse were given an early day at it showed on their faces. They were like little kids getting a snow day in Worcestor (of course I would feel the same way). After lunch a dash for the internet to let our friends and family know every detail of our day. At 2:45 we headed for Assisi Illam to pick up Roma, Anne, and Joanne. From the look on Anne’s face I can with certainty attest to the fact that she would like to have at least ten more small children in her care everyday. In fact I would suggest that she start a day care center at her house. In actuality, Anne has expressed concern about Augustine. We all could see what a bond she has formed with him in a couple of weeks. We visited three sites relating to St. Thomas who came to India in the first century bringing teachings of Christianity. The first site, St. Thomas mount, included vantage panoramic view of Chennai. Little Mount, a cave where the second bleeding cross was located and the well. The third site was the National Shrine of St. Thomas Basilica where he is buried below a church. Only three saints are buried below churches including St. Peter in Rome. Then the beach where people assembled on the last day of Pongal with family, friends and to make new friends. Our group became the new friends as we headed for the water and shook so many hands. I had read in the morning paper that 5,000 more police were to be assigned there today. And there they were, every so many feet preventing people from going into the water. Soon we saw at least 3 mounted police and as anywhere in the world they did a marvelous job pushing the crowd away from the beach. Our last stop of the day made late by the traffic wich was horrendous coming back from the beach (hats off to the real Stephen of the family for a job well done) was to Assisi Illam. Sister Rose had prepared a huge banquet meal for us, as she does for every volunteer group. The little ones were fun to watch and we played with them. You can tell they have formed attachments with Elyse, Anne, and Jan. I was jealous because I usually can get any child into my arms soon after meeting them. I think I’ve lost my touch.

Thought for the day: “Travel is fatal to prejudice” –Mark Twain

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