This is an update of all the work done during the 2016 India trip between 16-29 March.
Due to a reorganisation of our contacts we now coordinate with three bodies, the Betsy Elizabeth Trust NGO or BET, with whom we work with our three main crèche projects, Ann Peck with whom we worked on a house building project and installation of smokeless cook stoves and with HELPS NGO with whom we help at a Tribal village.
Betsy Elizabeth Trust crèche projects:
We were pleased to see that OUR crèche was in a good state of repair and that the grass planted last year had thrived. On our arrival we found that the sky lights in the middle room had been newly panelled and the upper parts of the walls had been plastered this allowing the students to repaint and decorate the walls with educational themes.
In their spare time the students made teaching booklets and flash cards which they used to interact with the children. Students also read books, played, danced and did yoga with the children. they helped at meal times including teeth cleaning afterwards!
On the departure day students, children and staff had a picnic lunch a short bus ride away from the crèche.
When we left at the end of the week again with a picnic lunch only one outside wall remained to be treated.
As at Peach tree our students also read books, played, danced, did yoga and helped at lunchtimes. Some exterior painting was also done.
Student painted the front outside walls of the crèche with educational themes and added chalk blackboards.
Our students also interacted with the children through painting, reading, dancing and help at meal times.
HELPS Project
Twenty-seven students visited the remote village over three days. This is a tough expedition with a rough road and much warmer working conditions.
On the second day we purchase and collected 50 tree seedlings (peach, lemon and Goa), ten of which were planted near the school.
The third day was the gathering of some of the 41 families to receive a gift of 5kg of rice and a tree seedling.
The ceremony consisted of speeches and dancing displays, the award of Graduation Medals to the children by our students and gifts to the parents. The Primary Headteacher explained how he looked forward to the crèche children entering his school as they were so well-prepared by their crèche experience.
The staff of each crèche demonstrated cultural dances and our students participated. To round off this pleasant evening we had a very delicious buffet supper.
On the return trip, our first night was at Tanjavur where we visited the World Heritage Temple. Visiting just before closing time is a serene, magical experience and watching the religious activities of a busy temple is fascinating.
Our second night was spent at Mahababalipurum where next morning we visited several interesting historic and religious sites. also World Heritage listed. Students finished their holiday shopping here since being near the capital city it is more touristic.
The Staff
here are some images of the seven staff on the trip.
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| Students after the Holi holiday 'celebrations' |
Betsy Elizabeth Trust crèche projects:
Peach Tree Crèche
We were pleased to see that OUR crèche was in a good state of repair and that the grass planted last year had thrived. On our arrival we found that the sky lights in the middle room had been newly panelled and the upper parts of the walls had been plastered this allowing the students to repaint and decorate the walls with educational themes. |
| English alphabet with a marine theme. |
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Students repainted the outside door and the front wall with a welcome message. |
On the departure day students, children and staff had a picnic lunch a short bus ride away from the crèche.
Little Lilies Crèche
Again students found the crèche in a good state of repair. There was major work to be done to plaster the outside walls to protect them from the elements. Students helped by moving and sieving large amounts of river sand and cleaning moss from brickwork. A team of workmen worked all week to do the actual skilled application. |
| Students sieving sand. |
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| Children, staff and students at the picnic |
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| Plastering the back wall with the well covered up. |
As at Peach tree our students also read books, played, danced, did yoga and helped at lunchtimes. Some exterior painting was also done.
Grace Kids Crèche
As with Little Lilies there was some hard labour required to shore up the lower boundary of the crèche. A solid wall had to be constructed and there was no lack of enthusiasm for moving stones, sand and cement to the construction site. |
| Foundations of the new boundary wall. |
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| Grace Kids staff with Hilda (BET) |
Our students also interacted with the children through painting, reading, dancing and help at meal times.
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| Students working with children. |
HELPS Project
Tamaraikulum Tribal Village
Twenty-seven students visited the remote village over three days. This is a tough expedition with a rough road and much warmer working conditions. |
| In the truck! |
On arrival we had two tasks. A ditch was dig along the back of the school house to aid drainage and in preparation for the installation of a concrete drain and reposition of the water tank.
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| Clearing and deepening the drainage ditch at the school house. |
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| Planting a tree seedling |
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| The assembled villagers; most men and some women at work. |
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| Giving rice and a tree to a villager |
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| Students look inside a village house during the village visit. |
House building and cook stove installation
Four students were assigned to this project and all were highly satisfied with their achievement. A house belonging to a family (with two children at Little Lilies crèche) had collapsed and the students helped a builder construct a new one and install a smokeless cook stove. |
| The construction team and completed house. |
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| Starting the house building |
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| Adding the roof |
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| Installation of the smokeless cook stove inside the house. |
Peach Tree Graduation Ceremony
We attended a graduation ceremony for the Peach Tree Crèche children who had reached five years of age and were leaving to enter Primary School in June. The ceremony, attended by children, their parents and ourselves, was held in a marriage hall in the centre of the village. |
| Speeches by the graduating students. |
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| Children show their dancing skills. |
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| Speech by Dave harrison translated into Tamil by Hilda the MC. |
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| Speech by the Primary School invited headmaster. |
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| Our students place Graduation gold Medals around the necks of the 'graduates'. |
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| Students present gifts of blankets and other items to the Parents. |
Farewell Social
On the last evening before the departure of the group from Kodaikanal Hilda organised a social and evening meal on behalf of the BET in a local hotel function room.
The staff of each crèche demonstrated cultural dances and our students participated. To round off this pleasant evening we had a very delicious buffet supper.
Student Activities
During the travel to and from Kodaikanal the students were able to see some of the special sites for which Tamil Nadu is known. On the outward journey students saw some of Chennai including the Hindu temple and the Cathedral of St. Thomas. We also visited Chennai beach (second longest in the world) as well as doing some shopping before the overnight train journey to Kodai. |
| The students by the Indian Ocean at Chennai beach. |
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| Enjoying masala dosas before the overnight train to Kodai |
On the return trip, our first night was at Tanjavur where we visited the World Heritage Temple. Visiting just before closing time is a serene, magical experience and watching the religious activities of a busy temple is fascinating.
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| Enjoying the ambiance of the temple in the evening. |
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| The group at the Five Rathas world heritage site. |
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| Chrishna's Butterball at Mahab. |
Our second night was spent at Mahababalipurum where next morning we visited several interesting historic and religious sites. also World Heritage listed. Students finished their holiday shopping here since being near the capital city it is more touristic.
The Staff
here are some images of the seven staff on the trip.
