"Always look for the 'gold' in people and in life" My Grandpa
Today started like most with our morning visit to Assisi. Megan and I should have saved the balloons and bubbles for our last couple of days as no matter what we do the children are always looking for them now. However, with Sheeba's keen direction we made it through with songs and dancing and some colorful streamers. The best part is we noticed that some of the children who were either scared or nervous have warmed up to use and it's great to see them smiling.
After lunch we spent a short time at the Grace School which is always a joy but always too short. We then headed to the government store for some last minute shopping before we depart. Our evening visit to SEAMS was as lively as ever thanks to jump ropes Diana and Megan brought. The children (boys and girls alike) enjoyed having contests to see who could jump the most times.
We had the fortunate experience to visit Roshan's Parti and Tata (grandma and grandpa) and have a delicious dinner. We also had the sincere pleasure of meeting some of the rest of his family such as driver Stephen's gorgeous wife and children. We even got to meet Rani's family which was a real treat. It was a terrific visit and a wonderful way to bring my final week here in Chennai to a close.
I have been so blessed these past two and a half weeks to meet so many kind and genuinely warm people here in India. I can say that it's been very easy to find the gold in all of them because it shines through so clear, bright and beautiful.
Candy
“Happiness is a how; not a
what. A talent, not an object.” - Hermann Hesse
Another wonderful day for team #106... This day didn't top yesterday
but it was close...
Rani did something different with our scrambled eggs and some of us
definitely enjoyed the change... Megan and Candy headed off to Assisi
while our star teacher Dianna shaped the minds of the Grace School
In the evening, we all headed over to SEAMs like we have everyday since
we started. We all broke out into our individual learning sessions and the time
past by very quickly. Then the eight of us all packed into 2 rickshaws and
finished the night with a wonderful dinner at the neighborhood restaurant!
Dustin
Quote of the day: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The team started the morning with another delicious breakfast of rice cakes, peanut chutney, eggs, & milk tea. As the schools were closed Monday & Tuesday for the Pongal Festival, everyone headed to
We were all relieved that Chris was feeling better & out of his Benadryl haze. Candy however was feeling a bit under the weather, & so stayed behind for some rest & a much anticipated cooking lesson from Rani & Sheeba. The rest of the team walked over to SEAMS for the afternoon. The atmosphere there was much more relaxed than usual & it was a treat to spend time just "hanging out" with the kids.
A quick stop at the house & the team was off again, this time to the beach. Today was the final day of the Pongal holiday, Kanum Pongal, so the beach was quite crowded. Actually it was like
Upon returning home we had a delicious meal of korma & poori that Candy had helped prepare.
It was a long eventful day well spent. I am looking forward to return to the kids at Grace & to hear how they spent their holiday.
Diana
“Work harder, not smarter” Dustin Homicki
Friday the 13th started quite ominously. Dustin and I headed to SEAM’s after breakfast, while Candy, Diana, and Megan went to
When the mason arrived we got to work pulling up steel beams for the roof of the new library/computer room. Then we set to carrying up tremendously heavy fiberglass roof panels. Once that arduous task was completed, Dustin and I took a well deserved break while the mason mysteriously vanished. Later we found out that those heavy beams were the incorrect length and he was off getting them welded for the right size. We’re used to the mason’s seemingly inane attempts at communication for our direction, but in his absence we decided to carry on by getting rid of the large brush pile on the roof next to our construction site. SEAM’s lovely neighbors had decided a bordering tree was a nuisance and cut off most of the limbs, leaving the children with no lines to hang their clothes.
After lunch we made our way back to SEAM’s reenergized, this time with Diana to help us. I for one was particularly glad to have a nurse around since Dustin was using an electric reciprocating saw. Happily, the disturbing omen from the morning did not cast a shadow over the afternoon’s work. We finished clearing the brush pile, put up new clothes lines. The evening’s work went wonderfully. We revealed the top point earners for the week, and the girls, who previously had the worst rooms, came out on top. It was a fantastic sight to see them all jumping up and down out in the yard after realizing their victory. The children were overjoyed when we distributed candy based on their week’s performance. It’s quite gratifying to see the amount of change occurring at SEAM’s. One day at a time, it really is getting better and better.
Chris
"Be the Change you want to see in the world" Gandhi
Well it’s Day 4 and it looks like everyone has settled into their routine. Candy and Megan prepared for
Today was all about sand! So one load at a time we hauled the sand to the rooftop where the local construction crew was waiting. Chris and I usually enjoy good conversation and music so the day goes pretty quick...Earlier in the week; I've scratched my head and tried to figure how this project was going to play out. But after only a few days things are really starting to come together. It’s a different style of construction for sure but we hope to have a roof on by this weekend.
Back at the guesthouse, Rani put together another wonderful meal for us and Sheeba added some awesome fried chilis! I never wanted the meal to end but I knew I still had an afternoon shift at SEAM's.
Megan joined Chris and I for the afternoon and it was more of the same thing! Sand, sand, and more sand! The pile is shrinking and it’s always nice to have an extra hand.
In the evening, we all headed back to SEAM's to finish the day off with our one-on-one English sessions. This is usually the best part of my day. I'm working on creating a profile for each kid so that current and future volunteers will know were we left off. Once I figure out a system I will be sure to share it with the rest of the team... Towards the end of the night my eyes were getting heavy and we headed back to the guesthouse for dinner and some much needed rest! Candy and Megan headed off for some shopping.
Dustin
“Experience is a hard
teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards.”
The day started off with a
lovely breakfast of eggs and papaya.
Very delicious! We discussed as a
group our schedule for the day and talked about the needs of some of the
children at Seams.
It was decided that we would have a wash day next week to shampoo the
girls’ hair which I very much look forward to.
Sort of like playing beauty parlor with the girls for an evening. J
Megan and I arrived at Assisi
We breaked for a lively
lunch filled with laughter and it was great fun learning more about my fellow
volunteers. After lunch Dustin, Chris
and I headed to Seams and it was great to change things up a bit and work
outside with the guys. Shoveling and
carrying sand was hot, sweaty work but Chris provided us with some tunes to
help pass the time.
Later and after a much needed shower, we headed
off in a rickshaw to see the beguiling and beautiful Bharathanatyam
dancers. The rickshaw ride was both fun
and exciting but also a little hard on the sinuses and the buns. However, it was well worth the experience and
Diana and I made it home in one piece. J
All in all just another
interesting, challenging, emotional and growth filled day here in India
Candice
No comments:
Post a Comment