After a not so great sleep, due to some squeaky pipes, morning came early to some. Breakfast was slightly later, due to a spiffing four hike ahead; this was a relief to many. On route to the vertical drop, a quick stop in a local shop, left a lovely shopkeeper feeling on top! (This was due to more sales in half an hour, than he normally receives within a month!)

Most of the day was spent in a cloud, so unfortunately the breathtaking views were unobtainable. The hike down was very steep but everyone coped particularly well, especially those feeling under the weather. Arriving at Donk, we were greeted by un-ending smiles from the world’s cutest children. A quick game of volleyball with beach balls left the children overjoyed. We split into two groups spending half an hour teaching and half an hour on a tour of Donk. It was humbling to know that only a year ago Donk Primary was near closing, but thanks to Saphara’s help the school is strong and the twenty children are thriving at the chance of education. The children in Donk although very young could recite the English alphabet and numbers up to fifty eagerly, which we all found rather inspiring.

The almost vertical hike back up seemed a very daunting task. However the sight of the pupils from Donk marching ahead of us and the thought of the children from Kaplani carrying out the walk daily, gave us the drive to carry on. The challenge furthered a close bond within the group. After some hot showers and pizza for dinner, the group was totally revitalized. A quick discussion with the Saphara university students left us all intrigued and enthused for an exciting week ahead at Sneha.

Lucy Lou and Dermot too

Today was our last day at Kaplani High School. Lessons were as normal continuing on the theme of the five senses; today we taught about taste. At lunch there was the famous derby football match of Northern Ireland vs. India, which ended as a 0-0 draw despite truly outstanding efforts by Lee Sharkey and Colin Boyd with several valiant attempts from the half way line.

The day ended early with sweets and a leaving ceremony with cultural exchanges of song and dance from both sides. The connection made with the children during the past four days led to an emotional farewell. Emotions ran high with tears shed on both sides. Farewell cards and flowers handed out by the children did not go unappreciated.

We can not stress enough how incredible the children are in everything they do and the team was glad to know today that we have made a difference in their lives.

Colin and Lee

Today was our 3rd day teaching at Kaplani High School (which has to be the school with the world’s most breathtaking view!) We got up earlier than yesterday so that we could see the school assembly. After a filling breakfast of cereal, banana and toast, along with some monkey encounters, we set off for the school. Arriving at Kaplani we saw the pupils standing in rows and saying prayers and singing songs in unison as well as stretching. We all felt this was a great way to set everyone up for the day ahead. Lessons (which were based today around the sense of smell) then began. We were able to teach the pupils vocabulary by using techniques such as a smell table where pupils had to guess the scent and by creating flowers that smelt. After a short break we continued. All the groups were delighted with the improvement in our classes’ spoken English. Their enthusiasm and commitment continues to amaze. The enjoyment that they get from the lessons makes the lesson planning more than worthwhile. Today we made an effort to set the bar as high as possible in terms of the English we are teaching, by detailing the parts of a plant. The pupils were able to learn and remember all the parts without any trouble. During lunchtime, the girls learnt Indian dances and taught some Irish dancing as well, whilst the boys played an extremely competitive game of football in the bright sunshine. The score is still in dispute! After lunch Peter gave a performance of magic, earning himself the nickname ‘Jadoo’ (Magic Man) in the process. Sport lessons were a great way to build relationships with our classes by having fun together.

We then had some free time with the children who taught some of the group how to write their names in Hindi. Then the school day was over and we got taxis back to Woodstock, seeing a lemur on the way. After a spot of lunch and an introduction to lesson planning, we headed out on a short hike, which was a good way to see around us. We then had dinner (pizza and chocolate mousse) and after finishing off lesson planning we’re going to watch Gandhi the movie. Hello to everyone! Ben + Peter

Today was our first full day of teaching in Kaplani and it was an amazing experience for all. We took two English lessons, a P.E. lesson and a Craft lesson. At lunchtime the boys enjoyed playing football with some of the pupils. Our theme was sound, and many of the classes really enjoyed singing the English songs they learnt, including the rainbow song while making a poster of a rainbow, and many others. The pupils were so willing to engage in all our activities that it really helped to increase our confidence for our teaching.

Back at Woodstock we prepared our lunch, before heading our on a walk in the Himalayas with a guide. The sights were beautiful! The walk even included our first encounter with leeches. We broke out the McDonalds salt sachets to deal with the pests, and it has to be said, we were loving it! Matthew won the prize for the most leeches.

This evening we have spent some time doing lesson planning for tomorrow’s lessons, and when that is completed we will relax and enjoy watching a movie.

Ciara and Matthew

Today we got a lie in to the grand hour of 8.45, exhausted and tired we straggled down to breakfast with hecticness of Delhi weighing us down. A quick breakfast, freshen up and out into taxis for the drive to our next location. The drive through Dehradun was uneventful yet eye opening as we saw some richer housing as well as the poverty, we also spotted some shops we recognized such as LG and Nike.

Then we caught a glimpse of the foot hills of the Himalayas – the view of the majestic ranges stretching out for miles was amazingly breathtaking. Up the windy, twisty, mountain road we drove. Up and up we went climbing higher than most of us have ever been before. We stopped half way to have a coke and take some photographs, none of which have done the beauty justice. On the way we saw donkeys, cows, goats and monkeys. One taxi had to stop to let a cow cross the road and another with a motorbike.

Arriving in Woodstock – our home for the next six days, we noticed the change in climate immediately – we were in a cloud! The climate made us all feel a lot fresher and healthier and most people’s sleepiness disintegrated with fresh air. We went straight up to Kaplani School where the eager, smiling faces of the children awaited us. We were introduced to our designated classes and the fun of lessons began. The children where enthusiastic and so were we. However, learning 12 Indian names which we are not accustomed to hearing proved a challenge in itself.

Back to Woodstock after the hour’s introductory lesson we made our picnic lunch of sandwiches, toasties and fruit, with the home comfort of crisps, must say the excitement of making our own lunches was great. Spent the afternoon relaxing and playing games together as a team and then planned for tomorrow’s lessons and had dinner in the canteen before an evening for preparation.

Having a great time, Love to everyone, Becca and Elizabeth!