Saphara teams give young people the opportunity to engage in issues of justice and global citizenship through working with educationally disadvantaged children in India. Saphara is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian organisation which welcomes young people from all backgrounds, races and religions.

I feel so privileged to have been part of the team. I’ve really learnt some lessons in values – the importance of selfless love and generosity as well as seeing how vision and determination can achieve so much. Ruth
Posts tagged ‘Delhi’
Day 9 28th February 2009
Posted in Trip Blog, Women's Trip 2009

Delhi Baha’i TempleWe can’t believe that this is our last full day in India. We have seen so much, met some really inspirational people and had a most wonderful experience. Most of us know that this won’t be the last time that we will be in India although we are all hoping that Christine will feel able to organise another “ladies’ trip” in the future.

We started the day with a visit to the Delhi Baha’i Temple which is one of only seven such temples in the world. The building is truly iconic and has been constructed to resemble a lotus flower. The temple is surrounded by beautiful flower borders and glistening turquoise pools of water. Visitors are brought into the temple in small groups and allowed to spend time in prayer or reflection within the cool stone walls. All of the group were touched by the special atmosphere that permeated the building.

From there we travelled to a market (Sarojini Nagar) where we enjoy shopping in a real Indian bazaar. Following this came a surreal interlude of unbelievable opulence which, we hate to say, we thoroughly enjoyed at the Imperial Hotel. This grandeur was created for the visit of Edward VII and the in-house patisserie was a sight to behold. Afternoon tea in such surroundings led to a stimulating discussion on how we would come to terms with our relatively affluent lives at home in light of all we had seen. In other ways, we felt that the completion of a journey of such significance needed to be appropriately celebrated.

The final stop was the Cottage Emporium where we parted company with the remaining rupees before returning to the hotel for a final delicious meal. Christine happily headed off to the airport for her overnight flight to enjoy some peace and quiet for the first time in 3 weeks!

So, hard to believe this epic trip is drawing to a close. Happily none of our worst fears have been realised. India has been so much more than we could ever have imagined; having taken us from heights of wonder and unexpected joy, to depths of shock and sadness. But India has also stolen our hearts. We will never forget this country and its people. We have all been inspired and would love to return.

Tags: , , , , ,
Day 2 21st February 2009
Posted in Trip Blog, Women's Trip 2009

The Group

Saturday – Very early start after all the noises of India through the night!

We nearly stretched Christine’s patience to the limit getting us all out to the station and onto the right train and carriages, but get there we did and the head count complete!

Delhi to Agra took about 3 hours and having been shocked by the plethora of fascinating and somewhat startling sights viewed from the train, (naked children playing in the dust, men squatting in full view of the railway line, and a variety of buildings from shacks created out of polythene and corrugated iron, to dilapidated old brick structures), we were then ushered into the contrasting grandeur and coolness of the trident Hotel on our arrival.

We felt it was important to sample all that Agra had to offer, so coffee on the terrace was a delightful and welcome break before we ran the gauntlet of hawkers and beggars who lined the road up to the Taj.

So what can we say – the Taj did not disappoint and was every bit as we imagined and more. The fine detail of the marble carvings and the mosaic insets in so many beautiful and varied designs and colours took our breath away. The Red Fort if anything was historically even more interesting, especially the stories of the Moghul Emperor with the three wives – one Hindu, one Muslim and one Christian from Portugal! Ecumenism was alive and well even back then.

We survived the madly chaotic traffic with the hordes of motor bikes (some with kids and granny aboard) the three-wheeled autos bulging with passengers (were more like dodgems that real vehicles) the camels, monkeys, mangy dogs, rats, elephants and many cows and made it back to the hotel – pretty whacked but having thoroughly enjoyed an amazing day. Thanks Christine – your organisational skills and patience are amazing!

Tags: , , , , , ,
Day 1 20th February 2009
Posted in Trip Blog, Women's Trip 2009

Mothers with daughters

Indian adventure!

Last night, thirteen intrepid women set off to join Christine Burnett and Linda Thompson in Delhi. They arrived tired but full of anticipation just in time to join the Methody students for the final celebration of their school visit to Kalkaji Resource Centre. This was a special time particularly for Valerie Addy and Maureen Blake, who met up with daughters Katie and Joanna.

After watching the young people in their exuberant celebration they set off on a careering journey in an auto-rickshaw through the chaotic streets of Delhi. Shopping for Indian clothing then their first taste of Indian food brought the day to a welcome early close in order to snatch of few hours sleep before leaving for the Taj Mahal at 6am tomorrow.

Tags: , , ,