India Service Program Blog

Wednesday October 12, 2011
"You can't shake hands with a clenched fist" - Indira Gandhi
It was a humid and relatively warmer morning in the beautiful district of Porur. Eugenio and I were late for breakfast as it had been settled from the beginning of the program; while Charlotte, Jean and Raja waited for the drowsy teenagers at the table. Not much was said during the early meal and we got ready for our daily volunteering. Garza and Charlotte headed to Grace School, Jean and I went to Assisi Illam to take care of the toddlers. The morning at Assisi Illam was better than those before, as the youngsters started to trust us a little bit more and weren't that eager for their mothers to pick them up; it didn't, however, mute the noise of those crying looking at the gate waiting desperately to leave the children’s home and go home. Grace school for Garza and Charlotte was also great, as they were making progress with the students. Charlotte teaching fourth and fifth grade and Eugenio with the kindergardeans and second grade. Eugenio gifted a mentally challenged student with a coloring book and crayons which she seemed almost too grateful for. We came back for lunch and Raja reminded us of evening supper at his parent’s house. Jean and I left for Grace School after lunch, while Charlotte and Eugenio had a much deserved rest. Jean took a few students from one class to give them some wise teaching, while I, had fourth and fifth forms again. We played a couple of learning goaled games, and because their behavior was not too horrid, I gave them some nutritious and cavity-causing chocolates. The principal also had a couple and seemed happier to receive them than the children. Barnabas was waiting with his habitual rusted bike at school's end and Jean and I walked with some of the students who where headed someplace with the same direction. The team re gathered at the guest house and we left towards SEAM. The volunteers had a shortened session with their individual students, and left early to take a quick shower before the much expected supper. Eugenio and I dressed in the typical and fancy Indian way, wearing our respective Kurtas. Charlotte and Jean went via autoshaw to Rajas parents home, and when we all arrived, we were welcomed by both his father and mother and Stephen's family. They proudly showed us their family album, looking at the pictures mostly caused either awe or laughter among us, looking at our hosts in their baby forms, childhood and teenage years. The food was excellent, we could not have wished for something more delicious and extravagant. After dinner, they gave us a short tour of the house and Stephen showed us his as well. A photo shoot took place and I had the opportunity to carry Stephen's 7 month old daughter which was a great accomplishment after she openly had rejected Garza. The team had a lovely evening, we said goodbye to our top notch hosts and headed back home.

Our time in Chennai seems to go at the speed of light, as we have reached the middle of the program, and it feels like we just arrived yesterday. We go to sleep waiting for and dreaming of another day filled with awesomeness.

Carlos

Tuesday October 11, 2011

Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime. 

Today we reshuffled the deck slightly – G. and Charlotte spent the morning at Grace Nursery and Primary School.  G. worked with the younger and Charlotte continued with the 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th standard classes.  Carlos and Jean went to Assisi Illam for a couple of hours.  Jean felt that spending time with the day care children at Assisi Illam was a better fit for her.

Rani, our cook, out did herself today.  For lunch we had balloon bread, always a big hit, fried seasoned onions, and a chicken dish.  Umm umm good. 

Early in the afternoon Carlos and Jean spent some time at Grace Nursery and Primary School.  Later in the afternoon we all went to SEAM.  Since the children are all back in school now, we each spent time with just one or two students at a time.  Shortly after Charlotte started to work with Rajesh, his Mother arrived.  I met her – she seemed like a lovely lady as well as very appreciative.  While Rajesh visited with his Mother, Charlotte read with John until Rajesh was available again.  Each Jean, Carlos, and G. was huddled with a couple of students all evening – the names and faces changing periodically.  Raja was directing traffic. Some of the children were disappointed that Carlos and G. were not playing cricket with them.                                                              

Back at the guest house once again, we enjoyed a delicious dinner of vegetable/rice briyani served with a light yogurt and chopped red onion sauce. I must try that yogurt sauce when I return to my home.  Raja treated us with I. C. for the big D.  We all enjoyed the treat. 

Following dinner, Raja reviewed with us, our goals and definitions of an effective team.  Overall we felt that we were achieving our goals – although Carlos said that he and G. could improve on punctuality…..we’ll see.   

Charlotte Mc

Monday October 10, 2011

I always have difficulty starting when I write.  Where is that first sentence?

Writing about India presents an additional dilemma because the country is overflowing – with people, cars, motorcycles, garbage.  All of these are everywhere, and except for the garbage, all are in motion.  With that motion, there is noise – of the vehicles.  The people, on the other hand, are quiet, their movements slow but flowing smoothly.  The people are colorful also with their shining black hair and their enormous brown eyes.  To these features the women add their colorful saris. 

At Global Volunteer’s guesthouse we are sampling also Indian’s cuisine.  Actually, I chose to overlook one dish when given the option, but others have introduced new and flavorful spices to my taste buds. 

It has been a few years since I last participated in a GV program, and Raja’s attention to detail has reminded me of the heavy workload the on-site coordinators carry.  Simply handling the varying personalities could provide enough stress to send these miracle workers in search of a bottle of Prozac.

Here we have the additional pleasure of Raja’s family – Sheba, his wife, and Roshan, their 3-1/.2-year-old son.  He reminds me of Levi, my youngest grandson, and Roshan’s constant chatter in his high, tiny voice brings a smile to my face.

We are a four-person team with “G” and Carlos tipping the see saw between their youth and the senior status of Charlotte and myself.  It is an interesting mix.  I like their innocence yet their sophistication, their inquisitive natures, their openness to new discoveries.  For instance, they both tried the bitter gourd, even though they don’t suffer from high blood pressure.

Yesterday, Charlotte and myself, introducing us to a few rock art sites south of Chennai.  The carvings depict the major Hindu gods, with their guardians, in many different stances.  These figures in themselves are fascinating but there also is the craft itself which is amazing.  How were these craftsmen able to produce such intricate works with such primitive tools?

After that day of sightseeing, I think we were all ready to get down to our responsibilities today.  For me, on my first day, this Monday was jam packed with new faces, each different yet each with a wide smile.  In both the school and then the orphanage in the evening, thee students were welcoming, polite and bubbling over with enthusiasm.  They are the students I am sure every teacher dreams of having in her classroom. 

I have never participated in a volunteer experience where I did not feel that I gained much more than I gave.   I have no reason to believe this experience in Cheenai, India, will be any different.

Jean

Friday October 7, 2011

“Things don’t have to change the world to be important.” - Steve jobs

We woke up as usual. Today’s activities were very similar to the whole week before, we went to the Asssi Illam Day Care center. We started reading books and playing with. After a while Carlos, Eugenio and charlotte where seated and had to listen to the kids sing out load and had to point their body parts, we where very impressed that they where very shie when singing by themselves but in group activities are very loud. We left and time passed faster then usual. we had lunch and took our very well deserved nap to go to the South East Asia Mission children's home. We left at 4:30 and they were all ready expecting us ass always Charlotte taught the students she had been teaching to and where learning a lot. Carlos and Eugenio worked with other younger students and when throw their English books. We left there at 6:00 because Charlotte wanted to go down town to see silk fabrics, and stores.. Everything was full eaves the streets, it was hard to walk without getting pushed or run over, but after all we had a great day. And it was very interesting looking at all that. After a long while in the traffic we arrived home safely and had dinner. had dinner and headed back to sleep

Eugenio