Smiles. Laughter. Happiness.

Smiles. Laughter. Happiness. Destruction. Devastation. Chaos. What do you see? 

Some people fear their extreme levels of poverty and others can only see the heartbreak in their eyes, but I personally feel that I will only see their incredible potential, determination and motivation.

One of my personal intentions of the trip, partially because I am also Indian, is to motivate and encourage the younger girls to have an aim and ambition in life and later go into a professional career, something that will give their life drive and direction.

In 2003, over Diwali time, I visited India. My father’s family live in Bhuj which is an area in Gujarat. The city had previously been hit by an earthquake.  My Aunt’s house was destroyed which meant she was living in one room with her mother in law, and all my cousins were also confined to one bedroom. Their optimism inspired me.  My brother and I learnt a lot and saw how little they had compared to us. Last year I travelled to Tanzania where we also have family. Here I visited an HIV orphanage which was devastating and frustrating. I was amazed to see how they could smile through their circumstances. The poverty was extreme and made me eager to change lives of others in the future. My experiences have made me aware of the extreme poverty in India, and I know I am, and will be emotionally ready to deal with it.

The cyclone that has hit Southern India has caused utter destruction, killing and injuring many people and causing families and friends to lose their loved ones. As a group, this has made us even more determined to fundraise and help them as much as we can.

Ella Doshi

Ella is currently a sixth form student at Richmond School, and will be visiting the Amala Children's home this Summer.