Thanks for all the support,
The 2013 Team
6.18.2013
Bridges to India 2013
Bridges to India 2013 is underway. We are currently collecting: medical supplies, sewing supplies and other necessities to provide health care to a village in need. Our letters are currently being sent out and we have brainstormed ideas for raising money for Hope Charities.
Thanks for all the support,
The 2013 Team
Thanks for all the support,
The 2013 Team
12.05.2012
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
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
12.04.2012
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
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
12.02.2012
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
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
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| Anna got a little help with painting from local boy, Nikil |
 |
| Lucy showing off her beautiful henna (not pictured- her painted feet!) |
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| The boys and their dhotis |
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| Women from the sewing center posing with the girls in their saris |
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| Anna showing some local boys the photo she took of them |
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| Nathan and the boyz |
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| There was a large turnout for the cultural day |
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| The group preforming our cup routine |
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| The night ended with a bang- a huge dance party! |
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