This morning we went to the Irish Embassy and met with the Deputy Ambassador, Pat Bourne. At the reception he spoke warmly about the work that we were doing and gave us an Irish insight into the progress that India had made in the five years of his posting to India. He spoke of the challenges facing India and specifically that of rural development. Pat is leaving India in a few weeks and he assured us that he would speak of Saphara’s work to the person who will replace him.

After lunch at McDonalds we did some shopping and the had afternoon tea at the Imperial Hotel. We enjoyed this rare opportunity to pamper ourselves on this trip.

When we returned to our hotel for dinner the second team from Belfast had arrived. We told them of the highlights of our trip. Later, at our team’s final evening reflection, each member of the team shared how they believed the trip would impact on their futures.

Tomorrow will be a busy day of travelling. We are looking forward to seeing family and friends. We arrive in Belfast around 9pm.

Dear readers

Today’s report is a little late due to travel and lack of access to computer facilities. Thursday was our last day at the Hanifl Centre and marked the end of our rewarding time with MGVS. After final packing we made our way along the mountain road to Kaplani to teach the children there one last time. We did a craft lesson where we taught the pupils in all five classes to make and decorate a photo frame and we gave each one of them a photograph of our team at the Taj. The children had formed a real bond with our students and this was evident in a wonderful programme of entertainment that the school put on for us in the farewell concert. Kaplani children danced and sang for us in traditional costume while we and the other local children sat on carpets in the open air overlooking the breathtaking mountains around us. Our team sang ‘Lean on me’ and ‘Molly Malone’. Claire danced a traditional Irish dance as we sang ‘I’ll tell Me Ma’. Hannah sang a lovely opera piece and the teachers and pupils were captivated by her voice.

After such a wonderful farewell we made our way to MGVS offices where we joined in the teams’ morning prayers. Some of our pupils read reflections and prayers. The MGVS staff prepared a lovely lunch for us – we had smoked chicken to die for. We made a presentation of funds to Surrender, MGVS co-ordinator, and assured him of our continued support for his teams’ work in the rural communities.

We travelled to Dehradun in the afternoon and caught the train to Delhi. Dr Reeta, from SNEHA, came to bid us farewell at the station. Again we were struck by her generosity and humility. We arrived at our hotel at midnight. Delhi had had heavy rain and some of us had to gingerly make our way through some mud to reach the hotel entrance. We all slept well.

The team had a very good day today. We visited a garden project run by MGVS the NGO we are working with here. They came back with us to the centre and did a workshop on how to do development work in rural communities in India.  It was excellent.  We went for a walk this afternoon and for the first time the clouds and mist over the mountains lifted and we had a spectacular view of the high mountain ranges and the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas.

We are packing tonight for our return to Delhi tomorrow.  We will do a craft lesson with Kaplani High in the morning, where we will also take part in a farewell ceremony.  We will then have lunch at MGVS offices before taking taxis back to Dehradun.  We will then take the train to Delhi, which is a real experience. We will not be in Delhi until 11.30 pm and in our beds at the hotel until 12.30.

On Friday we are going to do a little shopping and then visit the deputy Irish Ambassador in the morning.  We will meet up with the second team on Friday night at our hotel.  We leave early on Saturday for the airport and home.  It may not be easy for us to access email until Friday, when we send you our last installment.

It is hard to believe that out journey is coming to an end.  Please pray for our safe return home.

Dominic, Toni and Christine

We thought you might like to hear the teachers’ perspective for a change. Today half our team had the privilege of walking through the spectacular Himalayan Mountains to visit a remote village called Donk. The simple houses and way of life seemed from another era – no electricity, no roads and a two hour hike to reach it. The local charity we work with has built a primary school at the request of the villagers which educates all the children in the area – 20 children
who otherwise would be illiterate.

The two teachers warmly welcomed us and we taught the children English alphabet songs which they sang heartily. After lunch we helped them make finger puppets which they were delighted to take home. This was a very special day for us as the school had recently been threatened with closure and we are delighted that Saphara will be funding the school for at least the next two years. The return trek was steeply uphill and our strapping Irish lads were a bit put out that the little school children managed to out pace them on the journey home!

Christine

The other half of the team opted to teach again in Kaplani High School. Both Headmaster and pupils seemed to enjoy our rendition of the Indian National Anthem and a version of ‘I the Lord of sea and sky’. It was then down to teaching once more.

The girls took three lessons; one about emotions, one focusing on adjectives and a craft class making St. Brigid’s crosses. We were again surprised and delighted by how quickly the young pupils picked up all the activities. Their craft skills were more developed than most of the girls in the team!

The teachers have also been very pleased to learn new teaching methods from our young people. Matching pairs games, drawing pictures and labeling diagrams have all led to pupils’ learning improving. The teachers’ thankfulness for the little we have done was both humbling and encouraging for us.

Toni

Today was our first day in Kaplani school and it was very different from SNEHA due to its size and rural location. We ventured out at 8.30 am, an early start after our relaxing weekend. We arrived in time for assembly and the children sang their National anthem; which we got the opportunity to learn later on.   We were in groups of 3 or 4 and each group focused on teaching one class. Today we covered parts of the body and stretched ourselves by teaching  verb tenses.  This was a challenging lesson  as some of the Indian children struggled at the beginning but we had the satisfaction of many of them getting the idea of the lesson in the end. We hadn’t realised English is the children’s third language so by the end of the day we felt that we had really accomplished something. The highlight of the day for us and the pupils was the PE lesson. Duck Duck Goose is a lot harder 7500ft above sea level- but is every bit as fun.  The children at Kaplani are warm and enthusiastic about everything they do.

After a hard days work we are enjoying some relaxation and are looking forward to the rest of the week in Kaplani.

By Anna and James