#raineyasha blog – day 8 – Tuesday 1 November 2016
Today started with the usual early breakfast and once again with anticipation we headed off to the slums. With the fantastic reception we had received the past couple of days we were ‘buzzing’ to have the chance to teach more lessons and paint more walls! We got to work straight away, the boys painted one small room which was quickly named the ‘sweatbox’ due to the lack of windows and aircon. The girls worked on their individual paintings, soon assisted by the boys and the locals. At lunchtime we attempted to exit the slums quickly for a brisk lunch, but we were halted by the usual obstacle: water trucks coming toward us, filling up the whole one way road through the slums. Eventually, we got past them and got our long awaited McDonalds.
With full bellies we headed back to the slums to be greeted by smiling children who were extremely excited to see us and to learn more! The craft group today helped the kids create a ladybug, and Mr McDonnell showed us how teaching should be carried out with his expert lesson on Geography! The kids (as well as a few members of the English teaching group!) left with knowledge of the 5 oceans and 7 continents and their very own ladybugs to take home, and after giving us our handshakes they promised enthusiastically to return tomorrow. It has been encouraging to see the intense passion they have for learning, pushing us on to bring their enthusiasm into our teaching.
After this, we welcomed 28 university students who have been helped through their education by Asha. It was very interesting to sit down and meet a variety of students, learning about their school or university lives and Indian culture. Many stories were exchanged and friendships ignited, reinforced by countless selfies taken! It was pretty amazing to hear all about India and the many contrasts and comparisons between it and our little Northern Ireland. Speaking to a 18 year old girl, we were shocked as we learned of major differences regarding our futures. As she described the rules and regulations of arranged marriages, we quickly learned the lack of opportunities young girls in India experience. At the mere age of 14 years old (the same age as our 3rd years) a girl can be expected to take part in an arranged marriage. With our eyes opened we left the slums for a quick and delicious meal at the hotel.
Mr Healy and the rest of the team then put their developing bartering skills to the test as we departed to the Dilli Haat market. Knocking down prices to their minimum became a simple task when under the watchful eye of Mr Healy, and some amazing bargains were not so much found, but created! Happy with the many purchases of scarves and even bed sheets, we called it a day and headed back to the hotel, to rest up again!
P.S
In response to the question from Liz Rowan ‘What have been the highlights so far for the team?’
I think we’re speaking for the whole group when we say it would be impossible to limit the trip to just a few highlights, as the trip itself is classed as the highlight of our year so far! We have been incredibly lucky to work with such a passionate group of kids and interesting college students from humble slum backgrounds, and it has really opened our eyes to how lucky we are with all our privileges of study and freedom at home. It is obvious that the teaching of the kids (our main purpose) has been the highlight. Other highlights would include the 3 boys crazy car journey home with a taxi driver and his loud Indian music which was danced to the whole journey. One highlight for the girls would be the bartering and purchase of many scarves and other accessories in the markets we have visited.
Stuart and Jessica
