Ps....

We have had the most amazing experience here!!!!!!!!!
Debbie, Sarah and Deviya  :)

4th and final update...

Well....our time here is fast coming to a close, as we leave tomorrow.  Since our last post, we have been invited to the home of one of the teachers, where we were so warmly welcomed. Pranita's mother performed   a Maharashtrian welcome ritual in which she put "tilak" on our forehead (red paste with rice grains).  A diva was lit and the flame was wafted to bless us.  She and her sister freshly prepared "bhel" - a mixture of corriander, onions, tomatoes, peanuts and ":chevdo" (cornflake/rice crispie type thing)...all in all totally DELICIOUS!!  They took us to visit her aunt and uncle who also warmly received and fed us a South Indian dish.  This was a fantastic afternoon and a real peek at Indian family life.
We have been on 2 school trips....both experiences never to be forgotten...and that's just the bus journey!!!!!  We visited the bank, which was a short trip, and the children were really excited to see how a bank works and they also saw the safe, where lots of money is kept.  We also had a day trip out to visit a famous monument...The Chandbibi Mahal - a tower, high up on a hill overlooking Ahmednagar and surrounding area.  Apparently the queen wanted 7 storeys to see all the way to Delhi...it only has 3 storeys.  The children loved climbing the dark steps and the view from the top.  We had a picnic prepared by the female staff...bhel and bananas....delicious!!!
Yesterday was "Happy Gurupurnima"...a celebration to thank anyone who is a guru in your life.  We were guests of honour and were presented with gifts and cards in a small ceremony where students made speeches,  Later in the day we went to the Snehankur adoption centre, a Snehalaya project.  We helped the ladies with the 17 babies.  Next door was the newborn room where there was a one-day old baby!  Gabriel, the man who runs the centre, explained that mothers who give up their babies for adoption have 90 days to claim them back.  They aim to home 7-8 babies a month.  Some of the circumstances in which babies arrive are totally shocking.  We spent a few hours playing, cuddling and feeding.  A team of 28 women work in shifts 24/7 to look after approximately 20 babies.
Today, we have spent our last few hours in lessons and had a lovely discussion with the teachers about what we have all gained from each other.
We can all see a strong connection between Snehalaya and Welland Park in terms of sustained contact and future teacher visits.

Update number 3...

Greetings from Snehalaya!!!! Can't believe we only have a few days left!! We have done so much and met the most warm, friendly and inspiring people here...from the people who selflessly work here and care for the women and children to the children themselves. We've been out to meet children in the slum schools and were invited into their homes in the slums as well. As many as 9 people living in one room...but such pride and cleanliness you wouldn't believe!! The women are immaculate and beautiful. We were invited to the home of one of the teachers where we were welcomed and fed and photographed...whit people are a real rarity here. Travelling on the roads is horrendous and I've had many "eyes shut tight" moments as we dodge a rick-shaw, pot-hole, moped, pedestrian cow or lorry driving the wrong way!!!! Tomorrow we are going to work at the adoption centre for 4 hours...these are babies born out of rape or prostitution and some are HIV+. All are found families or they come to Snehalaya...there is the most incredible feeling of family and care here...totally overwhelming.

Update number 2

Deviya and Sarah in their mosquito nets, laying like lavrae!

Namaste!!

Yesterday we visited a private English school (where the teachers have lessons after a long day teaching) and a government school in the slum area. The slum school was well attended and we astonished at the displays on the walls of the classrooms despite the poor conditions...... no electricity, no chairs, no tables and very poor lighting and ventilation. Most children were proudly dressed in clean uniform and were welcoming and happy to be at school!!!! All of the teachers and parents were really glad to have met us and were very interested in our project. After we visited one of the 8 Balbhavan projects that provides support, education, shelter, activities and counselling for families in the slum areas of Ahmednagar. 

Today we have delivered an English lesson to the third standard (9-10) and later we are accompanying a school trip to a bank where the students will be learning about how the bank functions in society. Our hands and feet are covered in Henna designs. We are loving the experience!! We have also purchased brollies which we will leave behind for the drowning children!!!  ;) 

Welland Park meets Snehalaya

Here are a few photos from our first four days...

Greetings from Sarah, Deviya and Debbie in Snehalaya!!!  After a very long journey, we arrived at 6am Sunday July 14^th.  We have already visited some of the fantastic projects that Snehalaya support in the local area, such as the Adoption Centre and the new water project.  We are staying at the rehabilitation centre where there is also the school for pupils aged 4-12, a clinic providing care and respite.  Over the past three days, we have spent time in lessons and have collaborated with the teachers and taught some lessons ourselves.  We have met Zubin from Surat, a student who is here for two weeks doing voluntary work also.  (See if you can spot him in one of the photos…)It is very wet and muddy here (not hot and sunny as Sarah lead us to believe…) because it is the monsoon season!!!  Would have brought my brolly and wellies!!

On Sunday we are going to help in the Adoption Centre in Ahmednagar and speak on the radio station about our project.

We have received the warmest of welcomes and the children are just incredible!! J

Year 7 write post cards for pupils in India

Class 7JOK and 7RRO have been busy this afternoon writing postcards for students in India. Miss Kenning, Miss Edwards and Miss Dohlakia will deliver the emails next week when we arrive at Snehalaya!  4 days until our first teacher visit!! Exciting times!!

Year 7 German lesson in the computer room

Class 7SHA have two lessons of German a week. They are looking at how to describe their house in German. Some have made some videos. Others are making presentations on the computers.

School First Day

Slum to School - Day First With Teacher & Parent

Slum to School - Day First With Teacher & Parent

District Deputy Superintendent of Police Mr. Sham Ghuge is  Showing Green Signal to Snehalaya School Bus on the occasion of First Day of School

messages from 7DEW

hi its Edmund :) how are you? what lessons do you do?
Hi it's Alice here! :) I was just wondering what sort of activities you do in school or out of school? Also I was thinking if you liked going to school and plus how far you have to walk to get there? From Alice ;)
hey its Lara :-) i wanted to ask you how big your house is and who lives in their with you? do you have things like moquitoes nets and a bed of your own?
Hi its Max.    Do you play football you will LOVEEEE it.
Hi its Elliott :) What food do you eat? Bye!
Hello! It's Alex! What is your school like? Is it nice? :)
Hi, Its Steven. How long are your school lessons?
Hi its Bethany, I love your pottery,its very nice and good!:):):):):):):):))
Hi it's Liliana, I loved the photo's of what you made in the clay workshop, they were amazing!! :)
 

good morning!!

Good morning everyone!!  It's Debbie Edwards here, and my tutor group 7DEW.  I am coming to visit and work with you all next week...and I am so excited to meet you all!
Today, my group are writing you some messages and questions....
A few of them are going to come to the computer now and write you some messages....
Can't wait to meet you all!!!
Debbie :)