Today we got up earlier so that we could arrive in time for assembly at SNEHA so we could perform ‘We are marching’ to the children accompanied with Sam’s actions…and then they sang for us.  We then went to our first lesson of the day where we enjoyed teaching the children once again.

Apparently they really like stickers as Paoirse and Chloe discovered when they were attacked by a mob of children from multiple classes wanting stickers! It’s also become a mission to cross the playground in under 5 minutes (and under 10 minutes for the girls) as the children gather to shake hands and introduce themselves. It definitely makes us feel like celebs!

Music class with 70+ nursery children gave Ross and Richard the chance to turn some innocent little Indian children into gangsta rappers – thanks boys!

The girls were treated to Mahndi on their arms and hands by some Year 12 girls which looks amazing.

After some investigating during the conversation classes by Jonathan and Paoirse, the boys were finally allowed to get their name written on their arms in Hindi. For the classes that had to teach maths after, attempting to fold shapes with one hand (to avoid smudging the henna) proved to be quite difficult and challenging!

After yet another McDonalds… we returned to our favourite place, Barrista’s cafe whilst some of us went to Fabindia to buy some gifts. Enjoying one of our final journeys in the TukTuks we returned to the hotel for some chill out time and to plan our last day’s lessons.

As much as planning lessons is not our favourite thing, it saddens us that tomorrow will be our last day of teaching with Saphara. We all loved teaching the children, even the mischievous ones, and in one way we feel like it will be our last day of our Saphara journey.

Love from Peter, Chloe and Jonathan xxx

Another day at SNEHA commenced as we arrived in the playground after a bumpy journey by Vikram. We were again made to feel most welcome in the staff room, where we relax between classes.

Our classes today ranged from the usual Maths and Geography, and for the first time, 2/3 of our group took part in Conversation classes with the Upper Sixth students whilst the others had the challenge of controlling a class of about 50 kindergarten children, trying to teach them music!

The conversation classes went extremely well, with all topics from marriage and Indian traditions to henna tattoos and modern Bollywood being discussed. Anna and Amy felt that by the end of the session they had really connected with the girls, hearing from one girl about how her parents are dead and so she has to look after her younger brothers and sisters – we are so impressed that she still manages to come to school! We also realised one conversation group had 3 head boys –Paoirse, Suresh and Andrew – so photos had to be taken. We are all really looking forward to getting to chat to them again tomorrow.

Whilst most of us enjoyed the calm of 17 year olds, the rest of the group were teaching over 50 hyper 4 year olds, and amazingly enough, had them hanging on their every word and being fully involved in the many renditions of “The Wheels on The Bus” and “Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”.  We finished our teaching day with a Geography lesson, with the task of explaining the formation of a cyclone to 40 13-14 year olds after recess!

We were all more than ready for our daily lunch at McDonalds and after we were all fed and watered we made our way quickly across the road to a cafe. While the girls visited a Sari shop where we saw the most beautiful materials and Orlagh, Amy, Rachel, Chloe and even Linda tried one on, the boys headed to the Tommy Hilfiger shop to search out some bargains.  “You can trust me, my name is Hari” was parked up ready with his friends ready to take us back to our Hotel in true Indian style; TukTuks!

Now we are off to Pizza Hut to enjoy some more nutritious fast food….

Lots of love Orlagh, Rachel M, Anna, Amy, Ellen and Andrew xx

Today we had our first experience with SNEHA School and the children from the marginalised community. We found the children’s English was much better than in Kaplani. However the increased class numbers meant that teaching was every bit as challenging as expected. We must pay tribute to Dr. Susanna and all the staff at SNEHA (which is aptly named as it translates to love in Hindi) for their extremely warm welcome and hospitality.

After our highly spirited music lessons, we made the short journey (some of the boys braving the back of the motorcycles) to the marginalised community (the more usual term – slum probably gives you a better idea of what we saw).  We witnessed indescribable levels of poverty, and found the journey extremely emotional, seeing young children in terrible conditions being so overjoyed to see our group.

Whilst an exceptionally tough thing to witness, our tour of the slums was also inspirational as the people living in such poor conditions are so full of joy and happiness when they see us. It really motivated us to make the most of our time here teaching and trying to help give these children the skills to improve their style of life.

We had our second encounter with the large blue Tuk-tuks or Vikrams today and apparently we are to be getting them to and from school every day, and we couldn’t be happier! Everyday our journey is full of excitement and exhilaration and we get to see more of the real India and its people and culture. After another McDonalds, we are back at Hotel Relax, waiting for dinner and dreading another early start tomorrow. It’s incredible that we only have one week left in India and then we will be home with all of you.

Love Alice, Richard and Sean x

We woke this morning with mixed feelings about our last day in Mussoorie. We have all had an amazing time in the Himalayan foothills, with very special memories of our time in Kaplani and Donk and we will be very sad to leave. But, the end of this stage of our adventure also signifies the beginning of the next, as we travel down to Dehradun to begin our teaching in SNEHA School tomorrow.

We spent our last morning in the Mussoorie Gateway hotel gathered together for ‘The Happening’. This was an opportunity for each of us to share a little about what the Saphara trip has meant to us so far through the medium of quotes, songs, poems and scripture readings. It was a very spiritual and moving event during which everyone gave a little of themselves in sharing their thoughts and feelings about their Indian experiences.

After ‘The Happening’ we began our journey back down the mountain side towards Dehradun, feeling the gradual increase in temperature as we went. With plenty of monkey sightings en route, we were soon back in the crazy city traffic. Lunch at McDonalds, followed by a little shopping, after which we were soon settled in our new base – ‘Hotel Relax’. Aptly named, we all feel right at home with lovely rooms and even lovelier staff! Planning complete tomorrow we’re off to bed for a good night’s sleep before our first day in SNEHA.

We are both exceptionally proud of the work of our young people, how they are supporting each other (and us… Donk mountain…). They are superb ambassadors for their schools and of course for Saphara.

Big Hugs to all at home, Catherine and Linda x