It’s been an amazing trip – our first team from the North West.  We’ve met some inspirational people and children who are doing great things despite their very difficult circumstances.

Here are a few final comments from the team which sum up their Saphara experience:
Brilliant experience; loved every second of it. I’ve done things I never thought I would do and have memories that will last a lifetime. Jonathan – Rainey

This trip has been amazing! So many great experiences that I will never forget from working with the children in Kaplani and Donk to visiting the slums and listening to Dr Reeta’s inspirational talk in SNEHA. Getting to share them with all the other fantastic team members made it all the better. Rebecca – St Mary’s

What a shock and yet an incredible experience for my eyes, nose and heart. I will never forget my time in India, and am still in awe of the things I have seen, and the memories with the inspirational children that I now treasure. Alice – St Mary’s

The trip has been really attitude adjusting. It’s been tough physically, emotionally and mentally, but absolutely worth it. One of the best experiences of my life and I don’t think I’ll ever forget the people I met and spent this time with. Paóirse – St Mary’s

I will never forget all the smiles that I was greeted with and how enthusiastic and amazing each and every child was! I was also inspired by the love that Dr Suzanna showed towards the children in SNEHA School as she referred to them as her own children who she loved! Amy – Dominican

This trip has been the most amazing experience which I will treasure for the rest of my life. The people I’ve met, the things I’ve done and the sights I’ve seen will never be forgotten. It’s something you have to experience for yourself, not even a great photographer with a great camera can capture the true beauty or the memories that we will keep in our hearts forever. Chloe – Dominican

I don’t usually use very emotional language, but I can honestly say that I have had the time of my life. The sights, sounds and smells have been totally engrossing. Andrew – Rainey

This experience has been truly life changing. The people who we had the fortune to meet have been so inspirational and made us feel so welcome. Never will I forget the hundreds of beautiful, beaming smiles from all the children. Anna – St Mary’s

Can’t put into words how amazing this entire experience has been, couldn’t ask for a better group team members, teachers and leaders. Saphara really does change lives in India, I’ve met new friends and made some amazing memories I won’t forget throughout my life. Ross – Rainey

I cannot believe how influential both the people I’ve met and the places I’ve seen have been to me. There is no doubt in mind that I have been changed for good, changed for the better. I will never forget the journey we as a team have been on, we have become closer than I’d ever imagined. Richard – St Mary’s

Really I can only use one word to sum up this experience….. Indescribable! I have learnt a lot from this trip, may it be from the teaching in the schools, to the culture of India or from the many amazing individuals I have met. The friendships and memories that have been made on this adventure has been unbelievable, which I will cherish forever. Rachel M – St Mary’s

If the heart is longing for an experience that is both eye opening and life changing, look no further than a Saphara journey. Our plan was to help and empower some of the most underprivileged yet brightest children in the world; however, the most radical changes came from within each team member! To the students of Kaplani, Donk and SNEHA schools, thank you for all the love which has made this journey truly unforgettable. Sean – Rainey

I’ll never forget my journey in India, the inspirational things I’ve seen and the amazing team members I shared it with. I really have had the time of my life. Orlagh – St Mary’s

This trip has truly been the most eye-opening experience of my life; the poverty was terrible and it was everywhere but the children we met in those places were so amazing you forgot that they lived in a slum or that they lived with little food or in many cases without parents. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and I will never forget the smiles of the people I met there.  Ben – Rainey

I cannot possibly begin to describe the past two weeks. I will never forget the affection, generosity and love that all the children have shown me. They have inspired twice as much as I could ever inspire them. I also am amazed by how close the team have become – thank you. Ellen – Dominican

To say the trip was eye-opening would be an understatement. To see such poverty and yet happiness go together is incomprehensible but heartwarming. I’m truly thrilled to have been part of a great team to make even a little difference. Rachel C – Rainey

The trip was magical and thought provoking – how those kids could be so happy when they had absolutely nothing was impossible to explain. I would recommend this to everyone. Peter – Dominican

Our Indian adventure has been amazing and eye-opening experience. It was a privilege to work with the kids in the school so eager to learn each day. The poignant moment for me would have to be the slums which was beyond my imagination yet the children were so happy. I’m so grateful to Saphara for this opportunity. Niamh – St Mary’s

Our last day was spent sightseeing in Agra. We visited the magnificent Taj Mahal in the monsoon rain.

After drying out over lunch we were treated to a journey back in time through Agra fort.

We all had a superb day! More will follow tomorrow.

Big Hugs to all at home, Catherine, Linda and Ruth x

With our teaching over we were given the much needed excuse for a lie in and took full advantage of it. After a late breakfast we made our way to the Lotus Temple, a spectacular piece of architecture where we were all given the chance to reflect on all the work we have been committed to over the past two weeks. The beauty and the silence inside made it a place of serenity and a great way to start our day – helping us to think about our Journey with Purpose with Saphara.

We were yet again treated like celebrities with our photos being taken left, right and centre. Afterwards we travelled to a market where we spent only a short time as the heat was overwhelming. A final McDonalds set us up for an afternoon of last minute shopping in the Cottage Emporium. With a few rupees set aside we headed to The Imperial Hotel. This luxurious 5-star hotel allowed us to observe the contrast between poverty and riches in India, although we fully enjoyed living like the upper class, even if it was only for a little while!

We are looking forward to a night of entertainment which will be followed by an all-nighter, though we suspect that Christine and the other teachers have other plans for us given our 5 am start tomorrow to visit the Taj Mahal!

Love Room 402 crew (Sir Edmund Hillary Suite): Niamh, Rachel M, Orlagh and Rachel C xx

Today we completed our last day at the wonderful SNEHA and the final day of teaching all together. The classes were a mix of cyclones, shape making, photos and hugs goodbye. The children were as welcoming and loving as usual. Many of the team were mobbed by the children in the playground, asking for a photo to be taken of them!

It was a really successful day of teaching all round, everyone giving their all for our very last day of teaching in India, especially in the conversation classes with Class 12, our peers, who we really enjoyed talking to about each other’s culture, socialising and dancing! We also had great fun trying on the woolly hats knitted at home on the tiniest children (thanks everyone who knitted esp Catherine’s mum!)

Then we got a chance to see the new classrooms built by Saphara fundraising – it’s great to know that the kindergarten class of over 70 is going to be able to split soon into 2 much more manageable classes.

After lessons we all gathered in the staff room to listen to Dr Reeta’s inspirational story about how she founded SNEHA. The story was amazing, and by the end of it, we were all assured even more, that what we have been doing, and will continue to do, is really making the difference to the many children. Dr Reeta and Dr Susanna’s love for the pupils of SNEHA and the dedication of all the teaching staff has strengthened our commitment to the cause and made us feel even more proud of the good work we have done.  A small concert in the school library, including traditional Indian dance, tin whistling and cheer leading, was the perfect way to end the day.

We said our final goodbyes, before being dragged into the Vikrams by Christine after a few too many “just one more” photos! For a change, we went to McDonalds for lunch followed by a drenching in the monsoon rain whilst running to a shop for some snacks for the train.

We then made our final visit to Hotel Relax to get changed out of our soaking clothes and grab our rucksacks. The train station in Dehradun was far less chaotic than Delhi – the world’s largest train station!! We are currently on the train, on the 6 hour journey back to Delhi. We are sad that the teaching part of our Indian adventure is over, but we are very excited for our weekend of being tourists! We are all extremely tired and are very much looking forward to our beds at the Legend Inn tonight!

Lots of love, Anna and Alice xx