Jodis's blog
09.09.2007.
Today we arrived in Santiniketan from Kolkata. It is much quieter and more peaceful than Kolkata
and it was a relief to have arrived. We have been in India three weeks staying in big cities, so it has
been very loud, busy and chaotic everywhere. Santiniketan is quiet and doesn't have the multitude
of autorickshaws buzzing around. Everyone rides a bicycle. Even the rickshaws are bicycle
rickshaws.
Bishnu met us at the train station and we caught a taxi to the volunteers apartment. Because we are
married we stay in a separate apartment on the other side of a field to Bishnu and the female
volunteers. The apartment is lovely and clean, with a little patio to sit out in the evenings.
We had a delicious lunch with Bishnu and met Danielle the other volunteer from Australia. We then
went for a bike ride to the handicrafts shop. For me, it was a long bike ride, I am not so fit as Colin
and Danielle. They were peddling along with ease, I was huffing and puffing all the way. Bishnu told
us later that the ride to the school is a little bit longer, hopefully I will make it. It absolutely poured
with rain for the ride, by the time we got to the handicraft shop we were drenched, and dripped in the
shop. I was glad of the rain, it kept me cooler while I huffed and puffed along, although in my
sneakers the rain and mud didn't feel so good!
10.09.2007.
Today was our first day to go to the school. I was very nervous, and worried that the children
wouldn't like me, or I would be no good at teaching them, but I shouldn't have worried.
The bicycle ride to the school was 9 km's, so quite long for me. It is a beautiful ride, with lanes with
trees on the sides, but there are some hills! The ride involves dodging the pedestrians, and
dodging ducks, goats and cows. Combined with my 'not so good' bicycle skills, it was quite a
challenge for me. But I made it!
The children that we rode past on the way all yell 'Hello' as we ride past. We must have looked quite
funny to them, all drenched by the rain and in our funny little raincoats. We are like a mother duck
and her ducklings, the three of us peddling along behind Bishnu on his moped. I was the little duck
at the back that had trouble keeping up!
Once we got to the school all the children were excited to see us. They all came running out yelling
Hello, Hello. We parked up our bikes and played a game of bingo to start. I yelled out the words,
Colin rode the letters on the board and Danielle gave out the buttons to put on the bingo cards. The
children really enjoy their bingo, although some of the children get bored if they do not get many
buttons. One very intelligent little boy kept telling us what word we should call next so that he could
win!
After playing with the children some more it was time to peddle back to the apartments, once again I
was surprised to make it. I will sleep very well tonight!
11.09.2007
Today was my biggest challenge. There was no rain, and although I was cursing the rain yesterday,
I was cursing the lack of rain today. Without the rain it was a very, very hot ride into the school. The
ride is still beautiful, but with my supreme lack of fitness, a bit much for me in half an hour. Colin can
do it easy, but not me. We had a couple of mishaps, Danielle blew a tyre, and my chain came off, so
by the time we got there, I was exhausted. We decided at dinner tonight that tomorrow we would
leave an hour to get there and take our time like the Indians do. Gently, gently ride and stop and
relax and enjoy the scenery.
The children of course were excited to see us, they start yelling and cheering when they can see us
riding up in the distance, it fills you with joy. The lesson we did was simple, I am still trying to get to
grips with what they know and do not know. The playtime is huge amounts of fun and energy, but
again for 'unfit me', a little much in the burning sun! The children don't even seem to feel the heat
at all, they run and run and never get tired. We taught them to play dodge ball, which was a huge
success thanks to Danielle.
The ride home was again another challenge. I was so hot from the ride in and the playing, that i
thought I would fall off my bike on the way home. Picture this, an unfit girl, peddling madly to keep
up with fit Colin, in the pitch dark, dodging cows, goats, dogs, people and cars. If I can do it, then
anyone can! (I don't think I know anyone less fit than me!)
12.09.2007
Day three, and I made it again! It is actually getting easier already. We took 50 minutes to do the
ride today, and it made a world of difference. When I got to the school, I still had some energy in
me! I think today was not as hot as yesterday, which helped. We also stopped and took in the
sights several times on the way, so we were well rested.
School today was more fruitful because I knew more about the children. It is still a large group to
teach, I had 35 of the littlest children, and it can be hard to keep their attention. But it so rewarding
to see their beautiful little faces looking up, eager to learn everything you have to teach them. My
favourite moment was when Danielle showed them to book of opposites (black dog, white cat etc).
Colin stood behind her and did actions to try to show the word. Some word were tricky for him to try
re-enact. Words like 'thin' were hilarious. I have to catch some of his action on video to show
everyone, it will without a doubt make you giggle.
The ride home is already getting easier. We stopped for tea and a delicious snack at the tea hut
which was a perfect break in the journey. I think it suits us well.
13.09.2007
Day four. In the morning it seemed hot and I was again worried that the ride may be too much for
me, but nature was on my side and when it was time to leave it rained just a little and the clouds
came out. It was a beautiful ride in, with the cooler weather I could enjoy the scenery and the
animals. It is a really relaxing ride when you take it at Jodis pace (known by Colin and Danielle as
slow), I am really starting to enjoy it.
The children as always were excited to see us and cheered when they could see us coming, and we
started the new group structure. I now have the babies that are the least advanced, Danielle has
the advanced babies and a few of the older children, and Colin has the older children. I really think
it will work well, with the advanced children out of the group it has given the quieter children chance
to speak up and for me to see which ones are understanding what I show them. Unfortunately it
rained, so my lesson was cut short so that all the children could come in out of the rain. We sung
songs and played games in the dry, and once the rain stopped played outside again. I got mud up to
my knees, and some a little higher when the football game got a little close to our 'Ring-a-ring a
rosey'. I wouldn't have thought I would call running around in the mud fun, but with the enthusiastic
little children having a blast, I couldn't have had more fun.
14.09.2007
Today was a success. We got together in the morning and actually planned what we thought we
should do and what would work. It made a huge difference having a written plan. And since we have
now been involved with the children for nearly a week, we also made some decisions together about
what stage the children are at. So far they have learnt the fun stuff, with songs and rhymes, but as
the subjects get more complicated, it is harder to make the learning fun. Getting together to come
up with a tactic really helps. Because I have the littlies (blue group) my job is a little easier than
Colin's and Danielle's, I still get to play with the alphabet and the sounds of the alphabet. I love
watching their gorgeous little faces watching everything I teach them, they are so eager to please
and to learn, and so enthusiastic.
Today my bike was also upgraded, I got a new seat, this will certainly make my ride in more
comfortable, it seems to get easier every day anyway. I might actually get fit, I have been trying for
the last ten years to make some time to get fit, and now I might!
15.09.2007
Today being Saturday means no school, but still plenty to see and do. We helped prepare lunch
today, Bishnu was head chef, and now we must ad cooking to his list of many talents. I had a go at
using the strange vegetable peeler, but was terrible. Took me 10 minutes to peel just one potato!
We went to some gorgeous little markets set in the forest. They were beautiful and not like markets
in the cities. If you shop in the cities you get harassed from all angles, and it never stops. In these
markets you could walk peacefully and pause to look at the beautiful things without being pestered.
It was a refreshing experience, and for the first time I actually managed to buy some things. In the
cities I get so exhausted saying 'No' that I have no energy left to actually buy something! I bought 2
beautiful tops with detailed stitching, and a handbag, also with beautiful stitching. The stitching was
all done by Kavita, the lady that teaches stitching to the tribal women on Sundays. She is a very
talented lady.
We also had some delicious sweet treats, washed down with some herbal tea. I will definately go
back each Saturday for treats.
We also had some good news today. The tribe has approved the new school building, so
construction will start soon.
16.09.2007
Another exciting day. Today we were invited to view a tribal custom in the village. I felt lucky to have
been allowed to see it. All the villagers take offerings and chant in front of a statue asking that the
snakes do not bite this year. All the women and children were wearing beautiful colours, and all the
children were intrigued with us. They have such beautiful big brown eyes staring at us, and if you
smile at them, they will give you a gigantic grin.
Then Danielle and I went to the stitching class with Kavita. It takes such skill and patience to create
the beautiful designs that Kavita sells. It took me the whole class just to do one small flower. I think
it will take me 3 months to make just one top! But I am going to give it a go, perhaps I will make it a
little top for my niece at home. I will hopefully get quicker as I practise.
17.09.2007
Today many of the children were missing from school, so our classes were smaller. It was a shame
not to see their faces, but also good to be able to give more detailed attention to some of the
children, it can be hard with large classes to make sure that everyone has learnt something.
My class is still working with the sounds of the alphabet, it may take a week or two to master. They
are fantastic at the alphabet, it is just the sounds that is still hard for them. We are also working on
numbers and did some matching of the number with the word for the number. Many of the children
are so eager to participate that even if they don't know the answer they put up their hand just to
come up and write on the board. The beautiful thing about that is that the other children help them
find the correct answer, they don't chastise, just help.
Also today Budha put in the new trees in the yard. They are only small and will take a few years to
grow, but it already looks good. Some of the children helped with the task of planting the trees, it
took three children to carry one tree and was quite a feat of co-ordination. I accidentally disturbed
the work when I took a photo of the little boys carrying the tree. As always when a camera comes
out, they stopped everything and wanted to have their photo taken and see what they looked like. I
had to stop taking their photo just so the rest of the work was done!
18.09.2007
No school today, it is a government holiday, so school can not run. We all decided to go into town
and do a little shopping and looking around. The holiday was for a festival, so the town was busy
and drums were beating. We made a small purchase at a hardware shop and were treated to a little
leaf bowl of fruit and sweets, it was lovely. The owner of the shop could easily have excluded us as
tourists, but didn't. Santiniketan has a lovely feel to it, you never feel like anyone is trying to rip you
off, everyone seems genuine. We rode around for several hours buying bits and pieces, but
eventually had to give up, just too hot and we were all starting to go a little pink!
The evening was dedicated to celebrating Bishnu's son's new job. We had a massive meal out at
one of the fancy hotels, I was so full I could barely stay awake for the car ride home. It was delicious,
a real feast.
19.09.2007
Back to school today. We have settled into quite a routine of planning our lessons between
breakfast and lunch, and it works quite well. Today we lost a little time going down to a local internet
cafe, but still had time to get our lessons planned. As always the children were excited to see us,
and as always so eager to learn. Today the blue group and I did numbers. Although many of the
children are very good, there are still quite a few children that are behind if not prompted. It is hard
to get enough time to give them the extra attention to bring them up to the same level as the other
children, but tomorrow we are expecting some new volunteers, so hopefully we will be able to
allocate the time required. It will be exciting to see how the children react to new volunteers.
Today was also the day that the site works started on the new school building. It doesn't look much
yet, but we know how fantastic it is going to be. Budha was working hard digging the trenches for
the footings.
20.09.2007
We met the new volunteers today, two girls from USA. Now the children will have 5 of us to play with
them!
School went well, we started early again to make sure we didn't have to ride home in the dark. I
would be lovely to have more time to give more attention to the children that are not as advanced,
but it is hard to do. The new school will be a huge step forward to being able get the class structure
and give the attention required. I hope we get to see it finished in our time here.
Today the construction workers were still digging the footings, it is hard work in the heat of the day,
but it is exciting to see the progression of the building.
21.09.2007
Today the new volunteers joined our classes. Dan and I shared our class, first half us, second half
the new volunteers. The children of course loved them and the lessons went well, so having 5 of us
is definately going to be a good thing.
Bishnu was telling us the other day that in order to build the new school they are going to have to
put in a well, otherwise the workers will have to cart the water from the village for all the cement
works etc. It makes sense, but was not originally budgeted for in the cost of the school, and
although the approx $300AUD it costs doesn't seem like a lot, it is a real need for the community. A
lot of things don't seem like a lot to us, but are too much for the small villages to afford.
Today we arrived in Santiniketan from Kolkata. It is much quieter and more peaceful than Kolkata
and it was a relief to have arrived. We have been in India three weeks staying in big cities, so it has
been very loud, busy and chaotic everywhere. Santiniketan is quiet and doesn't have the multitude
of autorickshaws buzzing around. Everyone rides a bicycle. Even the rickshaws are bicycle
rickshaws.
Bishnu met us at the train station and we caught a taxi to the volunteers apartment. Because we are
married we stay in a separate apartment on the other side of a field to Bishnu and the female
volunteers. The apartment is lovely and clean, with a little patio to sit out in the evenings.
We had a delicious lunch with Bishnu and met Danielle the other volunteer from Australia. We then
went for a bike ride to the handicrafts shop. For me, it was a long bike ride, I am not so fit as Colin
and Danielle. They were peddling along with ease, I was huffing and puffing all the way. Bishnu told
us later that the ride to the school is a little bit longer, hopefully I will make it. It absolutely poured
with rain for the ride, by the time we got to the handicraft shop we were drenched, and dripped in the
shop. I was glad of the rain, it kept me cooler while I huffed and puffed along, although in my
sneakers the rain and mud didn't feel so good!
10.09.2007.
Today was our first day to go to the school. I was very nervous, and worried that the children
wouldn't like me, or I would be no good at teaching them, but I shouldn't have worried.
The bicycle ride to the school was 9 km's, so quite long for me. It is a beautiful ride, with lanes with
trees on the sides, but there are some hills! The ride involves dodging the pedestrians, and
dodging ducks, goats and cows. Combined with my 'not so good' bicycle skills, it was quite a
challenge for me. But I made it!
The children that we rode past on the way all yell 'Hello' as we ride past. We must have looked quite
funny to them, all drenched by the rain and in our funny little raincoats. We are like a mother duck
and her ducklings, the three of us peddling along behind Bishnu on his moped. I was the little duck
at the back that had trouble keeping up!
Once we got to the school all the children were excited to see us. They all came running out yelling
Hello, Hello. We parked up our bikes and played a game of bingo to start. I yelled out the words,
Colin rode the letters on the board and Danielle gave out the buttons to put on the bingo cards. The
children really enjoy their bingo, although some of the children get bored if they do not get many
buttons. One very intelligent little boy kept telling us what word we should call next so that he could
win!
After playing with the children some more it was time to peddle back to the apartments, once again I
was surprised to make it. I will sleep very well tonight!
11.09.2007
Today was my biggest challenge. There was no rain, and although I was cursing the rain yesterday,
I was cursing the lack of rain today. Without the rain it was a very, very hot ride into the school. The
ride is still beautiful, but with my supreme lack of fitness, a bit much for me in half an hour. Colin can
do it easy, but not me. We had a couple of mishaps, Danielle blew a tyre, and my chain came off, so
by the time we got there, I was exhausted. We decided at dinner tonight that tomorrow we would
leave an hour to get there and take our time like the Indians do. Gently, gently ride and stop and
relax and enjoy the scenery.
The children of course were excited to see us, they start yelling and cheering when they can see us
riding up in the distance, it fills you with joy. The lesson we did was simple, I am still trying to get to
grips with what they know and do not know. The playtime is huge amounts of fun and energy, but
again for 'unfit me', a little much in the burning sun! The children don't even seem to feel the heat
at all, they run and run and never get tired. We taught them to play dodge ball, which was a huge
success thanks to Danielle.
The ride home was again another challenge. I was so hot from the ride in and the playing, that i
thought I would fall off my bike on the way home. Picture this, an unfit girl, peddling madly to keep
up with fit Colin, in the pitch dark, dodging cows, goats, dogs, people and cars. If I can do it, then
anyone can! (I don't think I know anyone less fit than me!)
12.09.2007
Day three, and I made it again! It is actually getting easier already. We took 50 minutes to do the
ride today, and it made a world of difference. When I got to the school, I still had some energy in
me! I think today was not as hot as yesterday, which helped. We also stopped and took in the
sights several times on the way, so we were well rested.
School today was more fruitful because I knew more about the children. It is still a large group to
teach, I had 35 of the littlest children, and it can be hard to keep their attention. But it so rewarding
to see their beautiful little faces looking up, eager to learn everything you have to teach them. My
favourite moment was when Danielle showed them to book of opposites (black dog, white cat etc).
Colin stood behind her and did actions to try to show the word. Some word were tricky for him to try
re-enact. Words like 'thin' were hilarious. I have to catch some of his action on video to show
everyone, it will without a doubt make you giggle.
The ride home is already getting easier. We stopped for tea and a delicious snack at the tea hut
which was a perfect break in the journey. I think it suits us well.
13.09.2007
Day four. In the morning it seemed hot and I was again worried that the ride may be too much for
me, but nature was on my side and when it was time to leave it rained just a little and the clouds
came out. It was a beautiful ride in, with the cooler weather I could enjoy the scenery and the
animals. It is a really relaxing ride when you take it at Jodis pace (known by Colin and Danielle as
slow), I am really starting to enjoy it.
The children as always were excited to see us and cheered when they could see us coming, and we
started the new group structure. I now have the babies that are the least advanced, Danielle has
the advanced babies and a few of the older children, and Colin has the older children. I really think
it will work well, with the advanced children out of the group it has given the quieter children chance
to speak up and for me to see which ones are understanding what I show them. Unfortunately it
rained, so my lesson was cut short so that all the children could come in out of the rain. We sung
songs and played games in the dry, and once the rain stopped played outside again. I got mud up to
my knees, and some a little higher when the football game got a little close to our 'Ring-a-ring a
rosey'. I wouldn't have thought I would call running around in the mud fun, but with the enthusiastic
little children having a blast, I couldn't have had more fun.
14.09.2007
Today was a success. We got together in the morning and actually planned what we thought we
should do and what would work. It made a huge difference having a written plan. And since we have
now been involved with the children for nearly a week, we also made some decisions together about
what stage the children are at. So far they have learnt the fun stuff, with songs and rhymes, but as
the subjects get more complicated, it is harder to make the learning fun. Getting together to come
up with a tactic really helps. Because I have the littlies (blue group) my job is a little easier than
Colin's and Danielle's, I still get to play with the alphabet and the sounds of the alphabet. I love
watching their gorgeous little faces watching everything I teach them, they are so eager to please
and to learn, and so enthusiastic.
Today my bike was also upgraded, I got a new seat, this will certainly make my ride in more
comfortable, it seems to get easier every day anyway. I might actually get fit, I have been trying for
the last ten years to make some time to get fit, and now I might!
15.09.2007
Today being Saturday means no school, but still plenty to see and do. We helped prepare lunch
today, Bishnu was head chef, and now we must ad cooking to his list of many talents. I had a go at
using the strange vegetable peeler, but was terrible. Took me 10 minutes to peel just one potato!
We went to some gorgeous little markets set in the forest. They were beautiful and not like markets
in the cities. If you shop in the cities you get harassed from all angles, and it never stops. In these
markets you could walk peacefully and pause to look at the beautiful things without being pestered.
It was a refreshing experience, and for the first time I actually managed to buy some things. In the
cities I get so exhausted saying 'No' that I have no energy left to actually buy something! I bought 2
beautiful tops with detailed stitching, and a handbag, also with beautiful stitching. The stitching was
all done by Kavita, the lady that teaches stitching to the tribal women on Sundays. She is a very
talented lady.
We also had some delicious sweet treats, washed down with some herbal tea. I will definately go
back each Saturday for treats.
We also had some good news today. The tribe has approved the new school building, so
construction will start soon.
16.09.2007
Another exciting day. Today we were invited to view a tribal custom in the village. I felt lucky to have
been allowed to see it. All the villagers take offerings and chant in front of a statue asking that the
snakes do not bite this year. All the women and children were wearing beautiful colours, and all the
children were intrigued with us. They have such beautiful big brown eyes staring at us, and if you
smile at them, they will give you a gigantic grin.
Then Danielle and I went to the stitching class with Kavita. It takes such skill and patience to create
the beautiful designs that Kavita sells. It took me the whole class just to do one small flower. I think
it will take me 3 months to make just one top! But I am going to give it a go, perhaps I will make it a
little top for my niece at home. I will hopefully get quicker as I practise.
17.09.2007
Today many of the children were missing from school, so our classes were smaller. It was a shame
not to see their faces, but also good to be able to give more detailed attention to some of the
children, it can be hard with large classes to make sure that everyone has learnt something.
My class is still working with the sounds of the alphabet, it may take a week or two to master. They
are fantastic at the alphabet, it is just the sounds that is still hard for them. We are also working on
numbers and did some matching of the number with the word for the number. Many of the children
are so eager to participate that even if they don't know the answer they put up their hand just to
come up and write on the board. The beautiful thing about that is that the other children help them
find the correct answer, they don't chastise, just help.
Also today Budha put in the new trees in the yard. They are only small and will take a few years to
grow, but it already looks good. Some of the children helped with the task of planting the trees, it
took three children to carry one tree and was quite a feat of co-ordination. I accidentally disturbed
the work when I took a photo of the little boys carrying the tree. As always when a camera comes
out, they stopped everything and wanted to have their photo taken and see what they looked like. I
had to stop taking their photo just so the rest of the work was done!
18.09.2007
No school today, it is a government holiday, so school can not run. We all decided to go into town
and do a little shopping and looking around. The holiday was for a festival, so the town was busy
and drums were beating. We made a small purchase at a hardware shop and were treated to a little
leaf bowl of fruit and sweets, it was lovely. The owner of the shop could easily have excluded us as
tourists, but didn't. Santiniketan has a lovely feel to it, you never feel like anyone is trying to rip you
off, everyone seems genuine. We rode around for several hours buying bits and pieces, but
eventually had to give up, just too hot and we were all starting to go a little pink!
The evening was dedicated to celebrating Bishnu's son's new job. We had a massive meal out at
one of the fancy hotels, I was so full I could barely stay awake for the car ride home. It was delicious,
a real feast.
19.09.2007
Back to school today. We have settled into quite a routine of planning our lessons between
breakfast and lunch, and it works quite well. Today we lost a little time going down to a local internet
cafe, but still had time to get our lessons planned. As always the children were excited to see us,
and as always so eager to learn. Today the blue group and I did numbers. Although many of the
children are very good, there are still quite a few children that are behind if not prompted. It is hard
to get enough time to give them the extra attention to bring them up to the same level as the other
children, but tomorrow we are expecting some new volunteers, so hopefully we will be able to
allocate the time required. It will be exciting to see how the children react to new volunteers.
Today was also the day that the site works started on the new school building. It doesn't look much
yet, but we know how fantastic it is going to be. Budha was working hard digging the trenches for
the footings.
20.09.2007
We met the new volunteers today, two girls from USA. Now the children will have 5 of us to play with
them!
School went well, we started early again to make sure we didn't have to ride home in the dark. I
would be lovely to have more time to give more attention to the children that are not as advanced,
but it is hard to do. The new school will be a huge step forward to being able get the class structure
and give the attention required. I hope we get to see it finished in our time here.
Today the construction workers were still digging the footings, it is hard work in the heat of the day,
but it is exciting to see the progression of the building.
21.09.2007
Today the new volunteers joined our classes. Dan and I shared our class, first half us, second half
the new volunteers. The children of course loved them and the lessons went well, so having 5 of us
is definately going to be a good thing.
Bishnu was telling us the other day that in order to build the new school they are going to have to
put in a well, otherwise the workers will have to cart the water from the village for all the cement
works etc. It makes sense, but was not originally budgeted for in the cost of the school, and
although the approx $300AUD it costs doesn't seem like a lot, it is a real need for the community. A
lot of things don't seem like a lot to us, but are too much for the small villages to afford.
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