Final thoughts?

A few final thoughts about the last 19 days...What will stick longest in my memory? The heat? The food? The unique Indian approach to driving? Probably the enthusiasm of the Indian students, the smells, and the hard work put in by our students. I think that, without fail, they have all put a lot into the 2 weeks at Amala, and have all gained a set of memories that will last long after the tans have faded, and the sari's and lunghi's have been packed away.They have all done themselves proud and deserve a good rest over the next week or two.The final word(?) needs to be to congratulate and thank the group leader (in the words of our host Raja the finest ever group leader) Kim Nicholson, who has put in a tireless shift in the 9 months leading up to the trip, and in the 19 days in India. If it hadn't been for her efforts, the experience the students have had would not have been half of what it has been.

We're home...

19.40 - Just landed in Manchester. Alan the bus driver is being informed of our adventures. I think he may well want to go on the next Amala trip. We are hoping to be back at 22.30. See you then.

Kerala

Dear all

Apologies for our tardiness. It has been non stop since we left Amala. Our departure was tearful, both our students and the home children were very emotional. Promises were made to return, especially after the amazing send off we received. The girls in sarees and boys in lunghis, watching a "cultural programme".

Our twelve hour train journey down to kerala was surprisingly pain free. Fortunately this year we had a sleeping carriage meaning many of us were unconscious for the vast majority of the journey.

Now we are in Kovalam, we've had a few days to relax. I personally invested in a four hand massage, others spent their money in western food and gifts for loved ones. Today we went elephant riding and visited Varkala beach, sadly some of the students are suffering from stomach upsets so the day has been quite tough for a few.

Tonight we are holding out own Amala 2012 awards, watch this space to hear the winners and losers. Tomorrow will be an earlier start, off to Allepey to spend an evening on a rice boat. It will be nice to just stop and take in all we have done, achieved and experienced over the past few weeks. I shall upload some pictures of our journey through Kerala.

Ella's thoughts

Everyday they ask us "Auntie, are you happy?" And everyday we reply, "Yes, we are happy, are you happy?" And of course they tell us they are very, very, very happy.

Their strength in life and in God inspires me to reach our and help more motherless and fatherless children. Children who have been through so much in life, yet still have so much love to give. It never ceases to amaze me! 

As the days have gone on I have become attached to some of the children. I have developed favourites and I know it will be difficult to say goodbye to them.

My time at Amala has made me really appreciate the effort teachers have to put into teaching a lesson. However personally my biggest obstacle has been the language barrier.

All in all I do feel that they have learnt as much from us as we have learnt from them. I will really miss this place and the children I have developed relationships with and one day I do hope to return. 

Written by Ella Doshi.

Nearing the end...

 

Pictures courtesy of Harriet Jenkins.

Pictures of us teaching..

Could it be magic?

There are lots of moments at Amala that could be described as magical, but today something rather unusual happened that could only be described in this way. Today we had a visit from a one armed Priest/magician and his sister, Doris. They performed a wonderful magic show for all of the students at the school. However, this was not an ordinary magic show, it carried a message of Christian ethics throughout. Emphasising the importance of respect, truth, justice, love, prayer and service.

The soundtrack of the show deserves a special mention, songs such as the Lambada, Rasputin, Tequila and the Macarena were all merged in to one very interesting performance. It certainly caused a great deal of amusement amongst us, especially when the Priest informed the pupils that they could only make noise when he said so and that only then were they permitted to clap four times.To describe the event as surreal would be a massive understatement.

We have been in India now for well over a week, and we are definitely into the swing of things. However, we are also missing home and our comforts. The food conversation has sprung up repeatedly, what we would choose to eat if we could have anything. Although Victoria's cooking is fantastic, having a completely South Indian diet is a huge shock to us, who normally have so many different cuisines to choose from. Chinese, MacDonalds and roast dinners have all proved to be popular choices, whereas some are simply craving a Costa Coffee.

As well as missing food, some of us are missing loved ones. Whilst we can text and call them it isn't quite the same as being in their company. These emotions pale into comparison to the ones that a lot of the children at the home must feel. Whilst some of the children are orphans, many will have some living relatives that cannot afford to care for them. So they are brought to the home for a better life, away from their family members. Fortunately for us we will be back in the UK soon enough, eating Chinese food and enjoying the company of our loved ones, hopefully thankful that we have such a privileged lifestyle.