India Service Program Blog

Thursday October 20, 2011

"How lucky are we, to have known someone who were so hard to say goodbye to" - Anonymous

Last day in our program.

Garza and I started our day looking forward and grieving the goodbyes to come. Both of us prepared ourselves to say farewell to our students at Grace school and the beloved children at SEAM. We were greeted at breakfast, by our team leader, Raja, Sheeba his cheerful wife, our dear and fellow third volunteer, Jean, and little Mr. Roshan.

We finished our spiced Indian breakfast and readied ourselves to spend our final morning at Grace. Stephen was waiting outside of our guesthouse in the small Tata, which had been our transport for almost twenty days. We arrived at the school and the uniformed students were waiting for their foreign teachers to give out their last lesson and wisdom sharing. Instead of having the usual class, we decided to have some healthy fun. Playing Simon says, I spy, guess the drawing and handing out harmless chocolates to all of our pupils. We received countless goodbye letters, which only brightened our day and exponentially increased the difficulty to say farewell. Garza and I were going back after lunch so we told them we weren't parting ways just yet. We came back home, and enjoyed our last lunch at Porur, where Jean told us about her great and havocky morning with the toddlers at Assisi Illam.

Back at Grace school, Garza and I thanked all of the teachers, gifts and addresses were exchanged, as well as handshakes and hugs of goodbye. As we were walking out, the whole school alumni trapped us in a warm and tight hug, and even thought it wasn’t hard to step outside of the school it was hard to leave their embrace. Their happiness and gratefulness was a mirror on us, as we shared their feelings of gratitude and knowing that we learnt as much form them as they had learnt from us.

The team re-gathered, and the Mexicans started to show the symptoms of a hard goodbye, finding so difficult to detach to something so close, which grew on us on three so short weeks.

We took a deep breath before leaving to the South East Asia Mission, were we knew saying goodbye to our new little brothers was going to be heartbreaking. The evening started off, with the playful games that had come up in previous visits, kabdi, the derivation of cricket, SEAM karate against the two young and enduring volunteers, tossing the little ones in mid air, and so many more. The bell rung and the children lined up in front of us in their usual formation. The farewell ceremony was moving from the beginning, where they sang a couple of sad toned songs, followed by some energetic dancing where we were invited to join and tried to imitate their Indian dancing. Both parties sat down, and two of the youngest members of our now called family, handed Garza and me a thank you letter with all of their names and some touching words. The end had come, so after a few tears, long hugs and words to remember we parted from SEAM, looking back over our shoulder to all of those faces who had marked our life. Even though we were sad to depart, we were proud to do so with a smile on our faces.

The last supper.

Our team, but what we can very trustfully call our friends, went for one last dinner with all of its present members together. Jean wore her beautiful Indian dress, which gleamed white and contrasted with its black shapes, we really didn't expect such a fancy goodbye. We shared our thoughts, emotions and feelings before our departure and thank yous went both ways. A pair so lucky to be a part of this team.

I believe there is an equation that fits our meandering experience, where attachment will equal how difficult it will be to say goodbye and let go. All of those strong feelings which became a part of each one of us are exposed when it's time to depart and say goodbye to those you grew so fond of. Today it was that time, and even though sadness was deep within us, we became part of something greater than ourselves. With our spirit held high over giving those in need a part of ourselves that will make a difference, small or great, but a difference nevertheless.

Carlos

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Wednesday, the middle of the week, but in terms of our tenures here at Global Volunteers we are all on the short side.  “G” and Carlos are flying on to other parts of India on Friday; I’m flying on to Kochi on Saturday.

At the day care center this week, when no one was crying, I looked at the little ones as individuals – seeing their different personalities mirrored in the way they play (alone or with one other or in a group); noting their outfits (some of the girls dressed in sequins and puffy skirts and the boys in matching shirts and pants but others with smudges of dirt here and there; some strong willed and able to fight their own battles while others need help (the little girl I have nicknamed “Tsunami” is one who doesn’t need help).  With all of them thrown into a single room, they are a fascinating mix.

The students at Grace, I sense, come from more similar backgrounds.  Their uniforms also give them the appearance, at least, of a similarity.  There is one student that stands out, however – a challenged girl.  She is an older student in age but the youngest of all in mental capabilities.  Yet, at times she yearns to be included - at others, she is content to explore in a way she understands.  Surrounding her are very capable and enthusiastic students. 

The kids at SEAM follow yet another pattern.  Living as orphans or half-orphans in an institution set up for their well being, they are a big family – playing together, eating together, doing homework together.  There is little space for an introvert, but I know to search in a quiet corner for Sweetie.  She prefers to listen to music on the radio to watching TV; prefers to read to playing games.  She works studiously at reading to me, apologizing when she makes a silly mistake. 

Yes, there is always one that catches a special place in our hearts but there are many we will remember for their enthusiasm, their energy, their motivation.  I have dreams for all of them.

Here at the guesthouse we have our own mix, and “G” and Carlos who are in their third week here have witnessed changes in the team weekly.  We are a family too, sharing time together at meals and as we go to our assignments together but also finding our refuges.

One of the most pleasant surprises for me has been to learn something about our neighboring country, Mexico, from the fellows.  And, I feel so fortunate to have Raja and his family help me to understand their country.  Our three countries so different in our histories yet, in this global world, there are threads binding us together. When I leave Saturday, I will do so with a tremendous amount of awareness about India that will help me to understand the wider picture of this country over my travels in the next three weeks.     

Jean

Monday October 17, 2011

"happiness is only real when shared" - Alexander Supertramp

The team woke up to the first day of their last week at the Chennai program. G and Jean were going to their respective duties, Garza and the former went to
Assisi Illam. I was exhausted after the weekend in the jungle and 28 hours on the road with Stephen, so I missed breakfast and the morning activities. I slept in and was fully recovered by lunch. Grace school was inactive for the day as elections were taking place. Garza and Jean had a good morning playing with the day care children as well as the orphans, who didn't go to school, at the children's home.

During lunch, I told them about my adventures and they filled me in on what went on during the weekend at Porur.

After lunch, we all left for SEAM, where we started off with our individual and fond students. They practiced their reading, learnt some vocabulary, and Garza shared his knowledge in maths with multiplications. Some time after, G and myself started a game with the children, where it was two mexicans against all, but we stood our ground. It was a laughter full time, but we were more than tired when it was time to go back home.

We had a lovely dinner and fell like logs on our pillows, as tiredness closed our heavy feeling eyes. Everyone slept and rested before another day of our last week began so cheerfully.

Carlos

Friday, October 14, 2011

Our team is undergoing a shift today with Carlos on a big game hunt – sorry, a wildlife safari – and Charlotte on her way out – out of this volunteer stint with Global Volunteers, that is.  Carlos is expected back on the job Monday; Charlotte, in the morning, will be off on an extended adventure in India.

With Carlos out of the picture today and Steven as well, Raja and I go to Assisi in an autorickshaw.  I use this opportunity to get photo shoots of Cennai traffic as I want to show my friends in D.C. that our beltway is nothing compared to this traffic. 

The Assisi kids miss Carlos’ physicality, and I am not as strong as he.  Nevertheless, I try a few calisthenics with the kids and manage to get a few smiles in return.

At Grace, I take a different approach with my youngest group, interacting with them in small groups.  There is less bedlam even though there are always a number of students on their own.   However, maybe they were just suffering from end-of-the-week blues.

At SEAM, the kids had an emotional send-off for Charlotte, giving her a beautifully designed card drawn by one of the fellows.  Everyone had signed the card on the inside.  Charlotte was quite moved and had an opportunity to express her gratitude to each of the kids as they shook hands with her.  These kids are mannerly and respectful.  They also seem happy, a true tribute to the staff here.

For dinner we went to an restaurant to celebrate Charlotte’s contribution to the team.  It is quite a nice restaurant, and we all enjoyed our meals.

With the support of Raja and Sheeba, I had my first shopping experience in India.  Particularly after seeing the fellows in the handsome outfits they wore when Raja’s parents entertained us, I decided I wanted to get an outfit too.  I hate shopping, but this was an interesting experience.  In the end ,I purchased material that I will have tailor made.  That will be another adventure, I am sure.

Raja has been most patient, guiding us through our various volunteer activities.  But, he also is responsive to our questions about his country’s history, culture, religions, etc.  I have learned so much about his country through him.  In a sense, he is on duty 24 hours a day as we pop in and out of our assignments, in and out of the guesthouse for this or that.  He is always available – or his faithful partner Sheeba.  And, if worse comes to worse, we have Rooshon.

Jeanne

Thursday October 13, 2011

 "The best way to cheer yourself is to try cheer somebody esle up" - Mark Twain

We woke up for our usual breakfast at eight thirty. Jean and Carlos were going to Assisi Illam with the little day care children and I went to Grace school. There were some new kids at the daycare with Carlos and Jean, with some particular girl who bit all of the other boys and made quite a few cry.

We came back to the guest house, where Raja and Sheeba were waiting for us. Roshan was feeling a lot better and had the huge smile back. After lunch, Jean and Carlos went to teach their two classes at Grace school, where Esther, the principal, was a student in both of Carlos' classes. They walked back, this time without Barnabus, and got home safely.

In the afternoon Charlotte was feeling a lot better so we all left for SEAM. Raja, Carlos and I walked there while Charlotte and Jean went with Stephen. At SEAM, Jean taught the two older girls, Carlos helped his two students with their reading and I taught them multiplications. Charlotte had her prepared material with Rajeesh and even though they spent some time reviewing it, Rajeesh, unfortunately had to leave early.

We came back to the guest house for dinner, and afterwards we had the group shots before Carlos was leaving at three in the morning and Charlotte after the weekend.

It was a great day, most of it because of the improvement with the children we were teaching. Once again we look forward to our next day in India.

Eugenio