Namaste!

Back in Delhi with it’s population of 18 million inhabitants, we revisit the toot tooting and whistle-blowing chaos of everyday life. Rising high above this hullaballo is our first stop, the BAHA’I LOTUS TEMPLE, a marble haven of calm and serenity which we enter silently in single file to spend a few moments of quiet reflection. The Baha’i faith rose out of Islam professing one God through all Gods or as Karen put it “a mishmash religion”. An interesting point is that the lotus flower is both a Hindu and Muslim symbol. Next stop the SAROJINI NAGAR MARKET, the locals favourite and only 15 minutes away as the crow flies. However, our drivers Pinku and Pradeep had other ideas and found us a traffic jam, huge even by Delhi standards. However, this did give us the opportunity to discuss the various merits of Holywood’s ever growing number of coffee shops and which should be selected as a venue for a reunion and where Pauline could put into practice all the Norn. Irish vernacular she had picked up this past week. We also spotted offices of TATA, one of the biggest Companies in the world making steel, cars and amongst other things, (Tetley) teabags! The market as you can imagine was buzzing – wonderful arrays of colourful clothes and materials and most every type of household gadget imaginable. Clearly we were now in fired up retail mode so giving Pinku and Pradeep strict instructions to drive directly to the CENTRAL COTTAGE INDUSTRIES EMPORIUM where we spent a very enjoyable couple of hours selecting silk, wool & cashmere scarves, jewellery, leather bags, ceramics and other gifts for our nearest and dearest back home stopping only briefly or not so briefly for refreshment at Cafe Coffee Day. (Going for a ‘quick coffee’ or a ‘quick’ anything just does not happen in Delhi).

Our final stop for the day was the IMPERIAL HOTEL. What a contrast to our experiences up in Dehradun and Mussoorie: finest teas and exquisite patisseries as we sat on the jasmine-scented veranda commenting on and reminiscing about all that we had seen and done and all the wonderful people we had met in the various schools and rural communities over the past week.

Christine’s vision to open our eyes to see and our ears to hear the voice of those who far too often are not permitted a voice in our fast-changing material world had clearly impacted upon us.

Rosie

Today has been a day of journeying, from the Hanifl Centre up to the MGVS office and back, then from Mussoorie to Dehra Dun and finally back to Delhi. Quite apt, given that Saphara means ‘journey with purpose’.

The day started bright and sunny, and as we walked up to the MGVS office we had another stunning panoramic view of the Himalayas in the distance. We walked in the clear mountain air past brightly coloured shops with quaint slogans.

It was such a privilege to join the MGVS for their devotions. We sang together, prayed together and shared reflections together. Surender told us about his journey and it was clear just how his background as a village boy and his work experiences had equipped him so well to do the work he and the team do now in the rural community. We were so pleased to be able to give Surender a cheque for 2000 pounds to help equip the science room at Kaplani school and provide goats for the another community cooperative.

After lunch provided by the MGVS team, we took the very long and very winding road down to Dehra Dun. At Dehra Dun we called to see Dr Reeta and Hari Rao at SNEHA school. Reeta had been unwell when we left earlier in the week and had invited us to call in. We met with the teachers again and shared chai and food. Reeta and Hari came with us to the railway station and even onto the train to say goodbye.

Then we settled down for our six hour journey to Delhi. It was very relaxing; just reading, chatting, sleeping, eating and watching rural India pass by in the late afternoon light.

And here we are back in the bustling vibrancy of Delhi after the meditative Himalayan calm of Mussoorie.

Karen

To round off yesterday we went on a Himalayan stargazing walk. The sky was very clear and we were able to see Venus, Mars, The Plough and Seven Sisters.

Early this morning we set off heading for Saklana Patti Valley. It was a 2 hour journey and we had a few stops en route to take in the amazing scenery. We climbed to 9,000 ft and were lucky enough to see the snow capped Himalayas before descending into the valley. MGVS provide water pipes to the Saklana Valley and we visited a local school to see their water filter system in action.

We enjoyed our picnic lunch with the local women’s farming co-operative. They grow organic produce for a variety of local and overseas markets. This has proved such a successful venture that the men have now set up a sub co-operative but this is also managed by the women – of course!

Our next stop was with another village, where MGVS have introduced a hen breeding co-operative. The women on last year’s Saphara trip had given funds for a new goat business and the village women were keen to show us these goats and to tell their story over a cup of chai. The women were very welcoming and keen to share with us just how much their lives have been improved by this work and support.

After a long and windy trek back, we were all weary but uplifted by the day’s experiences.

Joanne & Vivien

After a cold shower & hot porridge for breakfast we left the centre at 9.45am heading to the first visit of the day at the new and old Kaplani schools.

On the way, we passed many beasts of burden loaded with churns of buffalo milk – makes a change from the milk float.

Most of the 50 children who attend the school walk over 2 hours each way to get there and home again – what would our children think of this?

After greeting the children in our best Norn Irish/Bucks accents the pupils then joined us under the wonderful blue skies and entertained us. Garhwali cultural songs and dances were performed, giving us a flavour of their culture and heritage. Unfortunately the children and the soaring vultures then had to suffer our rendition of ‘Our God is so Big’! When the children recovered, we invited them to illustrate the banner as a reminder of our visit.

The children are excited about the move up hill to their much needed new school. Saphara has already left its mark in the new building by providing a science lab.

Surender from MGVS invited us to their offices at Landour, where he gave an overview of the range of their work. The work they are involved in ranges from starting up health clusters, food co-ops, self help groups and saving schemes. They provide advocacy and empowerment skills, mainly for women (YES!).

After more chai and with the help of a guide, the ladies on tour walked home. After lounging in the final warm rays of the day, a few of us enjoyed a massage and yes, yet another lovely curry meal (Pauline’s favourite).

Pauline & Anne D

The day started with a wonderful and energetic assembly at SNEHA school. Imagine 900 kids aged from 4 to 18 singing songs with lots of action on a sunny morning. Banging of large drums, everyone touching their toes (except the Saphara ladies!) and a few 4 year olds contorting themselves to get their picture taken.

We were then treated to some wonderful dancing, which included a Nepali courtship dance, Kathakali fire dance and a fairy dance that even included Jingle Bells!

We were privileged to have morning chai with all the teachers, 6 of whom are sponsored by Saphara. The team was delighted to present co-director Hari Rao with a cheque, part of which will help to renovate and equip a room into a science lab and support some improvements for the staff room.

It was with reluctant hearts that we left SNEHA, wondering if the rest of the trip could get any better and we then left for Mussoorie after a quick stop at the local McDonalds for lunch. Maybe Christine will need to have to get us all touching our toes tomorrow morning!

After a winding journey we reached Mussoorie in time for an afternoon walk in the amazing Himalayas to see among other things Tibetan prayer flags, monkeys and a wandering cow.

Anne McR and Elma