Achieved by this team from December 29 - January 1;
184 Hours of class room instruction in conversational English and computer skills by13 volunteers and 184 Hours of preparation time.
24 Hours of childcare by 4 volunteer
24 Hours of construction at Seams to build the Stage 2 of the Dormitories and we fixed the roof in this team
1 Schools, 2 Children's Home and over 115 students impacted
December 30, 2009
The days have developed a certain routine: yoga at 7:30am, breakfast at 8:15am, j-date discussion at 8:30am and placements at 9:15am. we headed out to SEAM for a field trip to a theme park.
My newly learned yoga deep breathing observer mindset quickly kicked in and I was surprisingly calm amidst the chaos of organizing 36 kids for a field trip. After repeated head counts and queue formations, the pastor said a prayer. I wasn't sure if the prayer was intended to invoke the spirits to keep the kids safe or the volunteers sane. Finally, after 45 minutes, we boarded the bus for the theme park. Not long after we set off, the kids were singing and dancing in the aisle and my western sensibility was quite accepting. It was refreshing not to hear repeated admonitions to children to "be quiet", "sit still" and "keep your seat belt fastened".
We arrived at Queensland without incident and were met by a theme park version of a Walmart greeter, albeit stranger looking, furrier and much more aggressive. Undeterred, we proceeded to accompany the kids to the various rides and theme park activities. Before long I realized that everything you need to know can be learned in a theme park. In no particular order:
- Bumper car rides are the required driver's ed for obtaining a driver's license in India.
- If you are confused and don't know where to turn, there is always someone to give you direction (House of Mirrors).
- If you are afraid of dark and scary places, there is always a friend you can stand behind who will protect you (Fun House).
- You only ever need to learn to count to 36.
- A picnic lunch of rice with friends is better that any gourmet meal at a 5 star restaurant.
- You can soar above your fears with the encouragement of others (Cable car).
- You can never be lost when there are people who love and care about you.
So another day has gone by - another day with lessons learned, perspectives changed and blessings bestowed.
Quote for the day:
Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood. (Emerson)
December 31, 2009
NEW YEAR"S EVE
There is no value in life except what you choose to place upon it and no
happiness in any place except what you bring to it, yo
urself.
-----Henry David Thoreau
At seven thirty a.m., Lori, Lucia, Kathy, Ellen, Candice (our financial manager) and I met up on the roof for yoga. As we stretched into our poses, our neighbour, the cow, who lives two houses away cried out in her mournful plea, across between a deep "Moo" and a groan. We followed our teacher through the poses, as a gentle breeze caressed us. It's the best time of day to be on the roof.
At breakfast, we again reflected on yesterday's unanimous vote that Candice should go out with the nature-loving historian, who is seeking a "nice Jewish girl", and he lives in Brooklyn, how convenient! We briefly reviewed our objectives for our work in Chennai. We decided we had met all the goals. We then launched ourselves into the day.
Roma, Kimberly, Stephen, Candiice and the triplets packed ourselves into the van for St. Thomas Hospital. We drove by the usual activity along the road. The goats, cows and occasional pig, the homeless dog all searching for food in the recycled/ compost sites along the edge of the streets. The people, working and going about their business, live harmoniously with the animals.
Carmel Julice met us in the admission area to begin our tour. In the CT Scan room, the scanner was modern, only the bed appeared a little hard. The cost for a CT scan is one to two thousand rupies for those that can pay and free for those who cannot. We removed our shoes outside most units that we entered. The marble floors reflected the lights on the ceiling, they were so clean. Onto the ten bed ICU where there was an impressive array of modern equipment: ventilators, cardiac monitors, along with sophisticated oxygen delivery systems. Most of the nurses were able to tell us about their unit. We were priviledged to witness the admission of a dialysis patient who seemed to know the routine. His left arm had several sclerotic areas, where the fistula had been placed for repeated treatments. Two nurses worked skillfully. One placed an IV into the venous part of the catheter, which is under the skin. The other nurse placed a large needle into the arterial side. The nurses showed us the filters and pump, which controls the rate at which the blood is removed and returned, all clean back to the patient's body. Lucia, Roma and I watched attentively, examining every bottle of medicine that was used, while the others had probably had enough of dialysis talk at the bedside, moved away to talk with the multi-lingual interpreter.
The renal MD spent time with us talking about herbal and traditional methods of treatment for renal failure. Lucia, our herbalist, had lots of questions concerning types of local herbs available for treatment.
Our next stop was the pediatric hospital. we learned that the most common ailments in pediatrics are respiratory infections, dehyadration and diarrhea, malaria, and some dengue fever, Ellen and I parted from the group briefly, to visit the psychiatric floor, Ellen's speciality, and had a tour. We were impressed by the entire set-up. We returned to the group and as usual, Stephen demonstrated his endless patience, waiting, no doubt wondering what had happened to us.
At the end of our tour, Sister Rexline insisted on having cold drinks and pastries in her office. Sister Rexline, an MD, worked with Mother Theresa and manages the entire hospital.
Ellen asked her, "You were pursuing a dream?" Sister shook her head and said, "No, through the grace of God."
If someone were to ask me would I ever want to have this experience again in India or another country, I would respond, "Absolutely."
Cindy
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