“Life is like riding a bicycle.
To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” – Albert Einstein
Today is Friday, August 10, 2012.
We had a great volunteer experience in India Porur
Today is my last day of teaching the 3rd, 4th,
and 5th grade. The children
now get up and start class with physical exercise for 5-7 minutes and I will
have to get them to stop for our lesson of the day.
Today 3rd grade – my lesson plan was - small creatures in
the garden. Some examples were
butterflies, honey bees, centipedes, earthworms, and ants. We also discussed diseases caused by some
insects like dengue and malaria.
My second class- grade 4 – was presented about the home planet –
different parts of the earth- the sunlight- sunrise-sunset; seasons of the
year; number of days of the year; leap year, etc…
My 3rd class – grade 5th – was presented on World
Health Day – April 7th- in Union School Puthakulan . We covered subjects – the brain- sense organs
– like eyes, ears, nose, taste.
We end each class with singing and the children love this. I have really enjoyed trying to teach each
grade and they are very loving children.
One little girl in the 3rd grade gave me a “happy friendship”
day note. Her name was Bharathnahi.
This week, two new people join our group – Gretchen and Amanda. Gretchen is teaching at my school in the
afternoon at Grace and Amanda is taking care of the children in daycare at Assisi
This week Haeja moved over to Grace school and she really is good at
teaching them and they really love her.
Melissa and Amanda are still doing a great job with the day care and
they love them a lot.
Today at Seam’s – I will start off with the group physical exercise and
then demonstrate face washing to all children.
This is our last day at Seam’s and they are giving a special dinner
tonight for all. Thanks to everyone.
I have enjoyed my 2 weeks here in Chennai and thanks to all of you for
all your help in making our volunteer trip so great. A special thanks to Stephen and Sheeba for
being great hosts and leaders. Last but
not least, thanks to Haeja for typing my reports on the computer.
Thanks to all,
Emma
“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean.
But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” - Mother Teresa
Much to the team's surprise, today was a holiday for many of the
schools due to Krishna 's (one of the Hindu's
gods) birthday. Instead of our usual assignments, we all went to Assisi Assisi Saint Thomas after he came to India Sheba Sheba India
Melissa
"if you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion,
aand avoid the people, you might as well stay home." James Michener
Today, Wednesday, August 8, started out early with a trip to the flower
and vegetable markets. Chauffeured by
our faithful Stephen (brother), we
experiended a genuine rush hour of traffic.
I will never complain about Chicago
Returning home, marveling
at Stephen's ability to avoid collisions, we were ready for breakfas of rice cakes, chutney, and hard boiled eggs. Everyone went off to their various
assignments. I have become accustomed to
spen ding a quiet morning making plans and reading before I head off to Grace School
At SEAMS, the children were
given a lesson in tooth brushing.. I continued working with Rajesh whom I really
like. He is working on his pronunciation
and just building his self-confidence in speaking English.
The day ended with a
wonderful traditional supper prepared by Stephen and Sheba
The day presented us with a
wonderful variety of experiences, as has every day , which reinforces the
quotation. What is the point of travel
if we do not immerse ourselves in everything.
Gretchen
"Traveling can be a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers
and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things – air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky – all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it."
Cesare Pavese
Our day began with another of Rani's delicious breakfast's of omelette, couscous, tomato chutney, tea and mango slices.
Melissa and I set off for Assisi
We also had story time later in the morning, and I was amazed by Catherine's ability to keep a captive audience with most of the children for a good five minutes as she told the story of four cows. Melissa and I told stories too, of the Three Little Pigs and The Boy Who Called Wolf, with Catherine and Sheeba translating, to slightly less success in keeping the children's attention.
We returned home to have lunch with Emma, Haeja and Sheeba as my mother embarked to Grace. Since it was just the ladies at lunch, we got to learn about the rituals and ceremonies that accompany the advent of young girl's monthly cycles, which was conveniently wrapped up just as Stephen returned. Haeja and Emma reported a good morning at Grace, with the only notable feature being a power outage at 11 a.m.
While my mom was at Grace having the children interview each other in front of the class, Sheeba, Haeja, Melissa and I took a walk to the pharmacy, ATM and grocery store. We were able to secure anti-itch cream at the pharmacy after some discussion with the pharmacist which was greatly assisted by Sheeba's translation skills and Melissa's nursing skills.
After a little rest, we embarked to SEAM and were greeted as usual with a swarm of handshakes. Emma and Melissa began by leading the children in a series of physical exercises, which they seemed to thoroughly enjoy. Melissa, Haeja, Emma and I worked with the younger children while my mom worked with Rashid on his pronunciation and interview skills. At dinner, we learned about how Rashid came to be atSEAM, which I think left us all in awe at his resilience.
And now I am off to bed, as four of us are off to the Flower, Fruit, and Vegetable Market tomorrow at 6:45 before breakfast. Quite an early start, but I'm sure it will be worth it for what promises to be tantalizing experience for our senses.
Amanda
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a
miracle” – Albert Einstein
Happy Monday!
First of all, what an amazing weekend we had! It was filled with ancient, charming and
incredible stories about the Hindu
Temples
Also this weekend, we had two more ladies join our volunteer
group. A mother and daughter team –
Amanda, who’s getting her Master’s in Psychology lives in Minnesota and her
mom, Gretchen is a teacher from Chicago (one of my all time favorite
cities). To welcome our new addition to
the team, Stephen , Sheba
So, for my 2nd week here, I asked to be placed at Grace School Assisi
Wow! Talk about manic Monday! Not in a bad way, though. I’m referring to how the upper-kindergarten
kids welcomed me. I felt like a rock
star! My nervousness, then, slowly went
away and it was smooth-sailing from there.
We talked, we sang, we counted, and we jumped up and down. My agenda was the same for the 1st
and 2nd graders. By the way,
Emma was next door hanging out and dancing with the 3rd, 4th,
and 5th graders; while Melissa and Amanda were playing with the wild
ones at Assisi. Gretchen was preparing
for her afternoon class back at the guest house. It was a productive morning,
indeed.
Monday evening at SEAM’s Children’s Home, we were greeted with such joy
and excitement, as usual – it never gets
old! Amanda and Gretchen were introduced
to the kids. We all tutored three
students each between the hours of 5:30-7pm.
Mission accomplished!
Haeja
“Everything you can imagine is real”. – Pablo Picasso
Today is Friday, August 03, 2012 and Emma is having a wonderful
experience with all the loving children.
They now come up to me and hug or wrap around me.
I am teaching the 3rd, 4th, and 5th
grade. Today, I started my 3rd
grade with a physical exercise for 5-7 minutes.
They like to do this now. My
lesson plan was “Germination” of seeds – peas, tomatoes, cabbage, mustard,
medical plants (Tuile, Thumbal Keezhanetis and Malabar Nut). We had a book demonstration of plant in soil,
water, and sunlight to germinate the seeds.
Second phase was special senses
of animals. Name of animals in a
picture: elephant, lion, monkey, deer, rabbit, tiger, parrot, snake, and bees.
Activities:
· ant’s ear – you
walk by a dog and he raises its ears, you and other children eat under a
tree. Which animal comes to get your
food? Dogs, cats, & birds.
· Senses of animals
· Animals can see
most colors
· Ox and crocodile
can only see black and white
· Honey bees cannot
see red
· During the night,
the eye sight of a tiger is six times of a man.
The roaring sound of a tiger is 3 kilometers away. The tiger can turn ears in all directions and
can hear swaying of leaves and other animals walking. It can feel the vibration of the air through
its whiskers and by this can find prey and walks about at night.
Grade 4th & 5th class:
Today, I noticed the flag pole in assembly hall and the flag pole had
no flag. Answer was only – fly flag on
Mondays. Why? I don’t know.
Today, we ended each class with sing around the mulberry bush. The children are getting more attentive and I
really enjoy them.
I had four girls at SEAM Children’s home. Finding objects in one picture that wasn’t in
the other one. Each girl liked this
exercise very much. The boys schedule today
was to have their hair washed.
Emma
“To do what you love and feel that it matters... what could be more
fun” -Katherine Graham
It is hard to believe that we have been here almost a week. We have
experienced and learned so much in the little time we have been here. The team
has settled into a comfortable routine. Today Haeja and I went to Assisi with
Stephen and Sheba. Roshan, their 4 year old son, did not have school today so
he also went to Assisi. I really enjoy playing with the children. They love
looking at the books we bring. Today we also helped take the children's clothes
(from the Assisi's Children Home)off the clothes line and fold them. One of my
favorite times is lunchtime. Some of the children need assistance eating and I
have fun helping them. Emma went to Grace School again. She said there was a
guest and so things were a little more disorganized. In India, you quickly
learn to go with the flow.
In the afternoon, we went to Stephen's house and ate lunch. His family
is so warm and welcoming, especially his mother. His mother said, “You came to
my house and ate my food. You make me so happy.” She showed us a family picture
album. After visiting, we returned to the guest house to rest and prepare for
the evening.
In the evening, Emma and Haeja went to the Seams Children's Home. Emma
directed aerobic exercises again. Then Haeja and Sheba washed 10 girls' hair
with lice killing shampoo. Emma tutored some of the children one on one. She
said it was enjoyable experience.
Another day is done. I have come to the conclusion that the Indian
people are giving us so much more than we are giving them.
Melissa
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
“Darkness Cannot Drive Out Darkness, Only Light Can Do
That. Hate Cannot Drive Out Hate, Only
Love Can Do That.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Vanakkam Chennai!
This is my 4th day in India – still loving
the food and still in awe about how locals drive around – very impressive!
Anyway, here’s a list of my highlights for Wednesday:
·
Playing “London Bridge is Falling Down” with
the Assisi Illam kids and chasing a few of them around with, I believe, a
beaver hand-puppet. That was crazy-fun!
·
Chatting it up with Sister Rose – She is one
beautiful, yet fierce lady. I found out
that she has 7 siblings, two of which are also nuns.
·
Shopping at the Government Store. This was our first outside “group
activity”. There were so many colorful
and interesting local hand-crafted products such as, earrings and necklaces,
wallets and purses, toys and figurines.
I wanted to purchase so many things but was able to control myself,
since I’m on a budget.
·
And of course, our ever-so-enthusiastic
children at SEAM!! We started out our
evening with Emma leading a brief aerobic exercise. Everyone enjoyed themselves! Then, the three
students that I met with- Sandil, Anand, and Tamil- did excellent with their
flashcards and reading. Bravo Gentlemen!!
‘Til next time.
Haeja
Tuesday, July 31,
2012
“Don’t
Cry Because Its Over, Smile Because It Happened” – Dr. Seuss
Hi! This is Emma from Oklahoma , the Sooner State
I have 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students at Grace school. When I arrived at 9:20 am, the students are
having an assembly and singing songs or listening to directions for the day.
We start with classes at 9:30-10:15 for grade 3. I have four children and they have a lot of
energy. All students dress in uniforms
of skirt, blouse, and tie. Boys wear
shorts or long pants.
Our second day of class was on info about deers, turtles, crows, and
mice; and how they help the people in food, environment, and life.
Today, we did songs and dance with the “Hokey Pokey “ and “Old Mac
Donald Had a Farm”. The children had a
great time.
Then we had a break from 10:15-10:30.
Next, I have 4th and 5th graders.
Grade 4, we covered foods from plants.
Grade 5, we covered science in pollination, fertilization, and
plants.
The children are great and they love to write on the blackboard and
sing. I am amazed at how well they have mastered English and write in English.
I love working with the children.
We have great food and a great leader, Stephen.
Emma
Monday, July 30,
2012
“If
you judge people, you have no time to love them” Mother Teresa
Today was our first full day. Emma went to school while Haeja and I
helped out at Assisi Day Care. The children were full of energy and many were
not very happy. Lots of tears today. Sheba
After lunch, Emma, Haeja, and I worked on lesson plans for tonight and
tomorrow. We decided to take flashcards and books with us to Seam Children's
Home. Once there, each of us worked one on one with a child for 20 minutes.
Then a new child would be assigned to us. I helped each one read a book about
Harold and the purple crayon. It was tough work for them but they succeeded at
reading at least half of the book!!
Now the day is complete. I feel like I already have a lot to process
from this experience but I am looking forward to another day of working with
the children.
Melissa
Sunday, July 29,
2012
“Nothing Is Unless Our Thinking Makes It So” --William Shakespeare
Orientation Day. This morning,
over breakfast, I got to meet Emma, from Oklahoma ,
and Melissa, from Indiana
This is my first time in India
Today, after going over our schedule, assignments, etc…with Stephen, we
got to spend a couple of hours in the early evening with a group of vibrant,
young kids at SEAM Children’s Home.
These little ones were full of life and amazing energy. It was overwhelmingly positive.
Another positive note is that every dish that I have tried since I got
here yesterday has been fantastic. I
can’t wait to try more traditional Indian food.
I have an exciting 2 weeks ahead of me.
I am so eager to learn about the rich culture of Chennai; to spend time
with the children, and to meet new friends.
Haeja
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