Sad to Say Goodbye

We started our last full day at Daisy's house with appam (a rice pancake) and a potato curry. It was very delicious, and as always, Lal could never disappoint. Although we've been here for a while, it's funny to think that today was our first tour of the clinic. Daisy showed us the pharmacy and the doctor's office. There were supplies in there that were donated twelve years ago when the clinic started, and they are still functional today. She also explained to us the distribution system for vaccines and medications.

After our tour of the clinic we visited a local man, named Gopi. He used to climb to the top of the coconut trees to harvest coconuts. Before Hope Charities was founded, he fell off of a tree and became paralyzed. Gopi was Hope Clinic's first patient, and Hope Charities gave him a house in 2001. As soon as we saw him he expressed his gratitude for the house and care he was given. It was a situation that we had never seen before. This man was able to smile at us with no difficulty, despite his disability. It was an eye-opening moment that none of us will ever forget.

Our next stop was to a well that was funded by the 2007 Bridges to India group. The well was located by the river. Before 2007, the women of this colony had to carry water on their heads from the river to the top of the hill. Most of us were out of breath just walking up the hill with nothing to carry. The 2007 group installed a pump to bring the water up the hill. This system saves time and ensures that everyone there is drinking safe, clean water.

After checking out the well we went to Chunganacherry for some shopping. We shopped at a variety of stores that sold wood crafts, spices, coffee, tea, jewelry, electronics and clothing. What was supposed to be an hour of shopping turned into an all day adventure.  Eventually we made our way to an athletic store and got the neighborhood kids some athletic supplies such as a soccer ball, basketball, cricket balls, shuttlecocks, and a ball pump. Although we haven't shown the kids the new equipment today, we will show them tomorrow before we leave. To manage these new supplies, an equipment rental system will be set up at the clinic. The kids can check out sports equipment and return it at the end of the day so that everyone can use it, and everything can be accounted for.

After a long day of shopping we decided to hang with the kids and play cricket. Once again it became a community wide event where thirty or more people of all ages showed up. Since our shopping took so long, we ran out of daylight, and we decided to go back to the house to play basketball. Even more people showed up at the house. It was almost impossible to get us inside for dinner. We all have become so close to the kids of this community that we can't stand the thought of leaving. There were hugs and final farewells going on all around us, but hopefully we can see the kids one last time tomorrow morning. We have scheduled one last cricket game before we leave and before the kids go to school. Saying goodbye to this little town will be more difficult than any of us could have imagined.

Can't wait to see you all soon
Mack and Sean

A Day of Giggs! (Giggles)

Waking up today, we all expected a busy schedule. After practicing our dance, which would be preformed at St. Peter's, the group jumped on the bus and headed to our final school, Don Bosco. Pulling up our jaws dropped at the sheer size of the building. With over 2,000 children attending the middle to upper status school, Don Bosco is the highest socio-economic school that the group has attended. We were lucky enough to be able to sit in on plus one, or eleventh grade, classes. Some listened to teachers explain computer science, while others learned about the urinary track in a biology class. One of the most surprising things that we discovered was the student's daily schedule. Instead of switching classrooms, each student was to stay in the same room, with the same students, for not just the whole day, but for their whole school year. Even eating lunch in these classrooms, the kids only are allowed 30 minutes of free time during their school day, which is from 9am to 4pm.

After coming home from Don Bosco, Daisy told us we needed to scarf down our lunches, as right after we would need to put on our saris for our final day at St. Peter's. When we finished eating the girls went up to their room, just in time for the women from the sewing center to help us put on our saris. With the girls saris on and the boys dhotis securely fastened, we loaded onto the bus. Our arrival was incredible. Walking up the stairs of St. Peter's we were cheerfully welcomed. After being given a sandalwood paste bindi, an Indian tradition during a welcoming ceremony, we walked through a crowd of people, each throwing flowers at us and shaking our hands. It felt incredible to be appreciated so much by the students we had become friends with so quickly. Once inside the ceremony began. Various students stood in front of the class and gave thoughtful and well-rehearsed speeches. Once the head-master arrived we were invited to show the class our prepared dance. After preparing our dance for the past two days everyone grew a bit nervous, but once we got in front of the students, their warm smiles and giggles calmed us down. Our traditional Kuttanad boat racing dance was a success, the students cheered with delight when we finished and everyone in the room was smiling from ear to ear. The ceremony ended with a generous meal prepared by the school, even including some homemade dishes made by the students that very morning. After the meal we said our goodbyes, even Mack shed a tear.

Back at the house we were eager to head out and play with the neighborhood kids. We found them waiting for us at the bottom of Daisy's driveway. Once a group gathered we all headed over to the cricket field where more and more kids appeared for some fun and games. Many played a rowdy game of cricket while others raced, looking to find the fastest person there. Of course our superstar Nathan reigned number one, even beating Anna while running backwards. It was an amazing end to the day and getting to know the local kids has been a favorite part of the trip for everyone.

Tomorrow brings excitement and sadness, as it is our last full day in Kerala; but for now we're all just appreciating the time we've had and the last bit we have left.

Dats all. Peace.
xoxo,
Clur n Mayah

Indian government plans to spend $1.3 billion to give the poor free cell phones.

NEW DELHI Aug 8, 2012: In what could turn out to be its calling card for the 2014 general elections, the government is finalizing a Rs 7,000 crore scheme to give one mobile phone to every family living below the poverty line.

Sources in the PMO said the scheme—Har Hath Mein Phone—expected to be announced by PM Manmohan Singh on August 15, will not only aim to give away mobiles to around six million BPL households, but also provide 200 minutes of free local talk time.

Top government managers involved in formulating the scheme want to sell it as a major empowerment initiative of the UPA 2. While the move will ensure contact with the beneficiaries of welfare programmes worth thousands of crores, there is also a view the scheme will provide an opportunity for the UPA to open a direct line of communication with a sizable population that plays an active role in polls.

The scheme may be funded from the telecom department's universal service obligation (USO) funds. According to a source, 50% of the cost is likely to come from the bidder who gets the right to provide the service and the remaining from the USO fund. The fund is meant to be used to meet USO aims by providing access to phone services to people in rural and remote areas at affordable prices. The resources for its implementation are raised through a service levy fixed at 5% of the adjusted gross revenue of all telecom service providers except the pure value added service providers like internet, voice mail, email etc.

According to estimates, the scheme will involve a monthly expenditure of Rs 100 per cellphone. The government is also exploring the possibility of getting service charges subsidized through competitive bidding.

The PMO is directly involved with the Planning Commission and telecom ministry in giving a final shape to the scheme. The government has already launched a national infrastructure initiative under the PM's advisor Sam Pitroda that aims to link 2,50,000 panchayats across the country within 16 months through internet so that basic communication facilities can be provided to the rural masses.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Every-poor-family-may-get-a-mobile/articleshow/15395670.cms

Cultural Day

Today we had yet another early morning.  This was because instead of painting the donated house in the heat of yesterday’s hot afternoon, all of us opted to get an early start and paint in the cool morning.  After a brief breakfast, we all were down at the house ready to lay down a primary coat comprised of a thin mixture of weak concrete and water (Indian primer) by 8:00 am.  After priming the house (or as much as we could reach) the girls headed back to the house to get henna, and the boys walked over to the cricket pitch to play with the local villagers.  Along with playing cricket, Mack was challenged to an Indian style arm wrestle. There was no proper surface to have the contest on, but that wasn't a problem because a more than eager village boy got on all fours and lent his back as an arm wrestling surface. While the boys played cricket, Ms. Lali gave the girls beautiful henna designs on their palms to prepare for the cultural program later in the evening. After playing cricket Nathan, Mack, Mark and Hunter were given Indian paint rollers (a metal rod with a paint roller taped to the end) to finish the hard to reach areas of the house.  With the primer fully applied to the interior and exterior of the house we enjoyed a delicious lunch and some homework time.  Then the girls began the long process of donning saris to prepare for the evening. This gave the boys plenty of time to rest after a long morning of cricket and painting. Several women from the sewing center volunteered to help the girls wrap saris, apply bindis, and do hair. Once we were all dressed, we went outside to take pictures and socialize with the local villagers who were already gathering for the event. The program consisted of traditional dances performed by the older girls, adorable dances performed by the younger children, and beautiful singing by the women employed at the sewing center. 

Of course we performed as well. As usual we sang “You Are my Sunshine”, “Call me Maybe”, and taught the Hokey Pokey.  We also incorporated a synchronized and rhythmic performance with the aid of metal cups.  We were originally scheduled to conclude the cultural program, but as usual India happened and the power went out, bumping us to perform third to wait for the power to kick back in.  With us no longer concluding the program the village boys had an interesting ensemble of dances that showed clear resemblances to fist pumping and disco moves.  As their dance was coming to a close, we all were invited to join the boys on the stage and dance.  This ended up turning into a fun mess of bodies. Mark Lindquist even proclaimed, “This is like a Riverdale dance!” 

When the dancing ended awards were handed out to the children who preformed, and all of us socialized with the adorable youngsters and kids of our age.  Once inside Daisy’s house we all enjoyed yet another meal prepared by Lal, and finished up working on homework.  It’s been another busy, but equally awesome day.

Love,

Nathan and Sophia

Anna got a little help with painting from local boy, Nikil

Lucy showing off her beautiful henna
(not pictured- her painted feet!)

The boys and their dhotis

Women from the sewing center posing with the girls in their saris

Anna showing some local boys the photo she took of them

Nathan and the boyz

There was a large turnout for the cultural day

The group preforming our cup routine 

The night ended with a bang- a huge dance party! 

Auto rickshaw ride through Changanacherry

Ithithananm HSS Photo Essay

Photos from Ithithanam School Visit

We loved going to Ithithanam school because they were so sweet and treated us with the greatest greeting, even though they are a public school with less funding.

Our grand greeting. 

The chalkboards in the classrooms.

They greeted us at the entrance with a traditional Hindu welcoming ceremony. It includes get a  sandlewood paste dot on our foreheads and in addition they gave us all a rose.

They gave us all a coconut to drink.

They showed us the water purification system paid for by the H2O for Life Project, as well as the pumps  H2O funded for too.

Part of their campus. The water tank is on the right, it collects rain water.

The lovely ladies of the school.

Lily chatting with the girls in the classroom.

We joined them in the oil lighting.

The kind gift given to the H2O class for the water system put in their school.

The Ithithanam students.

The ceremonial lighting.

Hope Charities helps Keralan families directly

So, it turns out that we received a mixed up story about the family whose house is being paid for by Hope Charities. Not surprising since it traveled so far and through several languages.

The story I have now is certainly not the entire story.  Family histories are as complicated here in India as they are at home.  Marriages, divorces, alcoholism, abuse knows no bounds.  Even modern slavery enters the picture here. Hope Charities does what it can to help people directly.  There are few administration costs.

There is a grandmother (69) and 3 young women (20's). Two are her daughters and one is a daughter-in-law.

 We are building the house for one daughter, her husband and her 2 children.

Current house left, new house right.

Several people have asked whether the woman above is pregnant. Apparently, after her last pregnancy, she almost died because of some sort of serious liver condition. She is being treated at the Hope clinic and I will check with the doctor when I have a chance.

Her husband is a carpenter's assistant. I was surprised to see that he has a cell phone.  I asked  and was told that these days it is essential to have a cell phone to be able to get work.

Entrance to current house.

Inside of the current house.  Only one room.

The grandmother lives in a house next door with the daughter-in-law and her daughter.  The son left his wife and daughter.  The grandmother has taken them in.

Grandmother's kitchen.  Wood stove is for cooking.

Propane stove is only used for boiling water for tea.

5 years ago, the other daughter got an opportunity to work in Bahrain as a domestic worker.  She contracted with a woman in Kochi and was sent there.  Upon arrival, she was told that she was to be a prostitute instead. She refused but had to pay the woman in Kochi back plus pay for her own return.  From Bahrain, she called Daisy in America and asked for her help.  Daisy requested the Kochi bank information to transfer the funds to. With this information the woman who arranged for the trip was arrested and ticket was purchased for her by a man from this neighborhood living and working in Bahrain.  All within 10 days.  She now lives with her husband (who is a bus conductor)  and her daughter next door.

Grandmother and daughter in front of their well.

Karl and Jennifer's unexpected overnight in Dubai

Hi Everyone! 

Well, we didn’t get as far as we had planned today.  Our flight out of Cochin was delayed 4 hours, which meant we wouldn’t make our Seattle connection in Dubai.  So Karl and I had a very short night and a very long day.  We are now staying overnight in Dubai as “guests” of Emirates.  We got to our hotel, slept for a few hours since we had been up for 30 hours, then took a walk in Dubai.  Unfortunately, we aren’t near too much and have no room in our luggage for shopping…oh well.  Things could always be worse! : )   We know your trip home will go smoother.

Karl and I are hoping your activities in Kerala today were much more productive and exciting!  We are already missing Lal’s great chai tea and coffee and all the great food.  Eat lots for us and enjoy it.  I have to say, it’s WAY no fun having to use my forks and knives for every meal! 

Thank you for being a great group to be with over the last 2 weeks.  We know you will have a great next week.

Hugs to you all – Jennifer and Karl

A Slam Dunk of a Day

A Slam Dunk of a Day

It was a challenge to get up today, but luckily we woke up to some delicious butter masala dosas and pineapple. We started our day off by touring Kottayam district hospital. This hospital, paid for by the government, offered free medical care to patients. The district hospital is a primary level hospital, meaning that it isn't equipped to provide complicated surgeries. After seeing a public hospital we wanted to check out a private hospital for a comparison.

We traveled to Caritas hospital, supported by the Catholic church. It has a larger facilities and is kept in better condition. The people at the hospital were very nice and introduced us to the director of the hospital. The director shared information on the current Indian health care and fed us mango juice. Not only did we benefit from visiting, the director told us that our visit helped promote their hospital because foreigners visited. All that hospital visiting made us super hungry.

The group checking out the radiation machine at  Caritas Hospital.

We went to a restaurant that was split into two sections, veg and non-veg. We choose the vegetarian option. We were given banana leaves for plates and had an assortment of sauces and curries with chipatty and rice. What made the meal better was the authentic use of fingers as eating utensils. It was unanimously agreed to be the best restaurant meal yet.

Getting our banana leaves.

Chowin down on our delicious food.

After being well fed we decided to play with the kids in the neighborhood  What started off as cricket turned into badminton, soccer, and eventually basketball. It is impressive how inclusive the kids are, especially when playing basketball. The kids passed the ball around to us and challenged us to make a variety of shots including slam dunks by Mack and Mark and behind the back shots. Our shots developed into a 10 vs 10 basketball game. It quickly became a chaotic mess in the 12x12ft court.

Our chaotic basketball game.

The boys love to be in photos, Claire taught them the rock and roll sign.

Nathan running after hitting the ball in the cricket match.

Although the game was fun, we had to get down to business. We wanted to make a special goodbye through a dance and song for the school we have been working with. We decided to learn how to sing and dance to a traditional Malayalam rowing song they had began to teach us. It took us a long time to learn the dance steps, but we are on our way to making it great.

We were informed that we are participating in a cultural day and need to come prepared with something to show. We decided on singing “You Are My Sunshine” with harmony and rounds because they are not used to that style of singing. We also decided on“The Hokey Pokey” because it includes the kids in our silly American tradition. And lastly a cup passing game with a rhythmic beat. We will post the videos and pictures later!

After all of our hard work we received a hearty meal. Part of our dinner was spent freaking out over a large looking wasp that had entered the house. We tried multiple time to get the bee to leave through the door, including Lal smacking the bee only for it to return. Finally, after it had fallen were we able to throw it outside.

After dinner a few of the girls prepared for cultural day by getting henna. Sadly it takes henna around 2 hours to dry so they had others feed them. We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow, and now we need to head to bed.

Loves and kisses,

Mack (big cat) and Jenn