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
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
that is super that the neighborhood kids will have new sports equipment to play with! enjoy the backwater trip.
ReplyDeletekathy
What a wonderful job you have all done writing posts.All very moving,informative,and well organized.Can't wait to see all the pictures and hear all the stories. Have a great final day in the village and a good trip to Cochin. We will see you soon in PDX.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this wonderful post. We can feel the sadness in your 'voices' as you get ready to say goodbye to this unbelievable experience you have had. It seems like every day brings a new opportunity to learn, to meet new people, do good for others, and enrich yourselves. I don't think that any of us could have imagined how deep and rich an experience all of you would have had on this trip. It is bittersweet to think about it ending, yet you will take so much from this time in India and I have a feeling you will look for ways to travel the world, return to India, and stay connected with Kerala for a long time to come.
ReplyDeleteWe miss and love you.
Safe travels to cochin and then home.
Merrill
It has been wonderful to follow your blog posts and see the colorful captured moments in pictures. You may already be on your way home as I write this: wishing you safe travels, sleep when you can, soak in the moments as it comes to a close - as I'm sure you have! - for all us jealous parents and friends back home.
ReplyDeletePerry
How wonderful for you all to see the long term impact that the groups before you have had. Even the smallest kindness can have such a great effect on the lives of the people in the community. You thoughts of providing the local children with a sports equipment rental will keep each of you in their memories for years to come. Travel Safe!
ReplyDeleteIt's been an amazing journey for all of you and it's been a real joy to share in your experiences through your colorful blog posts. So glad you've been able to see how much your acts of kindness mean to your new friends in India. What a treasure! Safe travels home, and we look forward to welcoming you back on American soil... With love, Sarah
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