Saturday, November 26, 2011
SOUL FOOD (AND I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT CURRY)
Every morning I load into a car with my driver Sunesh and my translator Mr. Dhami. We start with Hindi lessons—alk, do, teen (1, 2, 3) and ap kasey hai? (how are you?)—as we drive through the mountains to a remote village for first aid clinics. The workshops are off the beaten path, focusing on teaching those who have limited access to medical facilities and are held in a home in the village. It never fails that when we plan for 10 or 12 people and 25 end up coming. And always, Mr. Dhami is a hit. He loves talking, joking, and laughing with the people when they hear me attempt to practice the few words I’ve learned in Hindi. Just as an FYI barf in Hindi means ice, and even I laugh when I say that one.
Overall, the workshops have been a success. Everyone loves the first aid kits we hand out and ask me when I will come back again. I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing with them, learning their time-tested remedies (ground potato paste for burns), and hearing them laugh when we practice the Heimlich maneuver. The people are grateful and generous, always inviting us for chai tea and biscuits and offering anything they have to give. The children are always quite curious about me, but usually too shy to come up to me at first. I’m sure being white and standing at least half a foot taller than all the adults (you can imagine how tall Gardner is to these people!) makes me stand out quite a bit.
On the drive home from the workshop my favorite part of the day transpires. Mr. Dhami tells me about his life in India. Mr. Dhami is a small man with a jolly looking belly, ear hair so long you could probably braid it, and eyes that hold a lifetime of wisdom. He has a kind, cheery face but his stance tells you he is a man who gets things done. He has lived in the Chamba area for all of his life and has worked in various career fields, but always, he has helped people. He shares with me his life philosophies and insights and helps me understand the way of life here in India. He tells me over and over, “Helping the people is good for the soul. When you are down, you can remember the good you have done and it comforts your soul.”
If nothing else, I will remember this about India. That life is always better when you are reaching outside yourself. And wherever you go, if you seek to do good, you will always find yourself in good company. India and its people have seeped deep into my soul and I am better for it.
Nurse Erika
PS Mom, Dad, Mike, Char, and baby Ryan I miss you all and can’t wait to see you in a few short weeks!
Overall, the workshops have been a success. Everyone loves the first aid kits we hand out and ask me when I will come back again. I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing with them, learning their time-tested remedies (ground potato paste for burns), and hearing them laugh when we practice the Heimlich maneuver. The people are grateful and generous, always inviting us for chai tea and biscuits and offering anything they have to give. The children are always quite curious about me, but usually too shy to come up to me at first. I’m sure being white and standing at least half a foot taller than all the adults (you can imagine how tall Gardner is to these people!) makes me stand out quite a bit.
On the drive home from the workshop my favorite part of the day transpires. Mr. Dhami tells me about his life in India. Mr. Dhami is a small man with a jolly looking belly, ear hair so long you could probably braid it, and eyes that hold a lifetime of wisdom. He has a kind, cheery face but his stance tells you he is a man who gets things done. He has lived in the Chamba area for all of his life and has worked in various career fields, but always, he has helped people. He shares with me his life philosophies and insights and helps me understand the way of life here in India. He tells me over and over, “Helping the people is good for the soul. When you are down, you can remember the good you have done and it comforts your soul.”
If nothing else, I will remember this about India. That life is always better when you are reaching outside yourself. And wherever you go, if you seek to do good, you will always find yourself in good company. India and its people have seeped deep into my soul and I am better for it.
Nurse Erika
PS Mom, Dad, Mike, Char, and baby Ryan I miss you all and can’t wait to see you in a few short weeks!
HAND TO HOLD
Instead of doing a culture exchange with the high school here at the NHPC, YMAD had to the opportunity to go to all four of the schools we teach at to sing and dance.
It was a neat experience to see the YMAD kids interact with their own kids that they have been teaching all week.
When it came time to visit Sahoo, I got butterflies in my stomach. The kids did not know we were even coming to see them. When they saw us walking down the mountain they jumped up and ran to us. Those were the greatest hugs I have ever had. (Sorry to all those at home… but my kids hug better.)
My girl, Sheetal, ran and jumped into my arms. She held onto my hand the rest of our visit. We sang our songs and I admit I got a little teary. When YMAD sang ONE DAY, I had Sheetal’s hand in mine. She was like an angel. Our interaction with each other is mostly felt not said. When we danced Sheetal had her eyes hooked on mine the whole time. I did not know I could get so attached and love someone so much after a few days. These kids are so loving. They have taught me more than I could ever teach them. Saying goodbye is going to be rough. I hate Monday afternoon already. I’m coming back here… one day.
Family I hope everything is going great! I’ll do bed treats when I come home. ☺
Comment below and let me know how things are.
I love you MTWCT!
Caleigh
P.S. If you have time…before I come home, I’ll probably need what goes in the second green basket in my closet. Please and thank you.
It was a neat experience to see the YMAD kids interact with their own kids that they have been teaching all week.
When it came time to visit Sahoo, I got butterflies in my stomach. The kids did not know we were even coming to see them. When they saw us walking down the mountain they jumped up and ran to us. Those were the greatest hugs I have ever had. (Sorry to all those at home… but my kids hug better.)
My girl, Sheetal, ran and jumped into my arms. She held onto my hand the rest of our visit. We sang our songs and I admit I got a little teary. When YMAD sang ONE DAY, I had Sheetal’s hand in mine. She was like an angel. Our interaction with each other is mostly felt not said. When we danced Sheetal had her eyes hooked on mine the whole time. I did not know I could get so attached and love someone so much after a few days. These kids are so loving. They have taught me more than I could ever teach them. Saying goodbye is going to be rough. I hate Monday afternoon already. I’m coming back here… one day.
Family I hope everything is going great! I’ll do bed treats when I come home. ☺
Comment below and let me know how things are.
I love you MTWCT!
Caleigh
P.S. If you have time…before I come home, I’ll probably need what goes in the second green basket in my closet. Please and thank you.
Maddie Taylor
First off, I want my family to know that I love them so much and I am so sorry that it looks like I haven’t written anything! I was the first to blog and there had been no internet so it didn’t get loaded! But no worries, I am alive and well- you can probably tell by the pictures.
India is incredible. There really is no way to describe it other than experiencing it. The first day we arrived at the schools the kids greeted us with a huge hello and then went into a clapping pattern. The second day they said “hello!” but then added in a “we love you!”
I never realized how fast you can realize you truly love someone until I met these kids. For everyone here we all find one kid that we automatically draw to. For me, I have fallen for all of them, although there is one kid named Shubham that has become my special buddy. He is seven years old, covered in freckles and full of light. Ever since I was a little girl I have dreamed of becoming a Mom because I love kids so much, but these kids here have made me want to become a little kid again. They have given me a whole new perspective on life and have helped me forget about all my problems back at home. I must admit that I was really nervous the week before coming here. I didn’t know what to expect and I was stressed about everything that was going to happen back home with me away. I even had nightmares that my parents would be that one family that doesn’t show up to pick me up when I got back because they had forgotten I was gone. So, hopefully they read this and know I really do not want that to happen and I would really appreciate it if they came with a nice 32 oz. Diet Coke from Shivers with a slice of Lime. We have looked everywhere in Chamba for a nice DC but unfortunately no one seems to know what that is.
Anyways, being here has made me realizes how good I have it. I realized I need to stop stressing about the little things and take them in. I know I have a family that loves me and friends that are there for me and I am so grateful for them. These kids have nothing and I have everything. I wish so badly that I could give them everything that they want but I can’t. I hope that I can come back here one day and hold my little Shubham again and tell him everyday that he is special and that he is loved.
I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!
XOXOXOX
Mads <3
PS- Thank you mom for the lovely Tuckett issues with restrooms. Thanks to it I have now made every kid in YMAD see a side of me they probably never wanted to see.
Saturday. Jenny Rouse
We have now spend 4 wonderful days with the children at Kalsui.
Our days begin early. Greg offers an optional Boot Camp, Megan and Abby lead others in a vigorous and scenic run through the hills. Erika has become our resident Yogi offering rooftop sessions of Warrior One and Down Dog at dawn.
We leave the NHCP at 8:30 each day. 6 jeeps are loaded with duffle bags containing supplies for the day. Everyone piles in and heads for their schools.
Our team is pretty convinced that we have the smartest, most affectionate and enthusiastic students of all. Each day that we have spent with them has made it more difficult to imagine leaving. How is it possible to love someone you just met?
I am so lucky to have this wonderful group of YMAD kids!
Matt is the Gentle Giant. He painstakingly prepped his math lesson the night before and helped each child thread and triple-tie their bead bracelets after an expert, interactive lesson on addition.
Caleb really knows how to connect with the kids. He was very creative with his group when he walked them around the schoolyard looking for geometric shapes to reinforce his lesson. It is obvious how much he loves them!
Andrea has such a great teaching style. Its a combination of an open, friendly approach with a natural flair for keeping the kids in line when the afternoon wiggles hit. Her positive outlook has been a constant since day-one.
Chloe conveys a gentle kindness with each student. Her lesson on sports and hobbies was enhanced with a rousing game of charades.
She is always prepared and great at improvising when unexpected things pop up.
Zippy shares her sunny personality and easy smile with all of the kids. They yell "Zeepy!" when they see her. Besides having a wonderful way with the kids at Kalsui, Zippy has been a huge asset to our team with her talent for planning and problem solving.
Zach is a unique individual with an uncanny talent for making music anytime, anywhere with anything! Whether it be a ukulele, wooden flute or two long sticks with assorted buckets trash cans or bowls, if Zach is around, there will be music. He is a fantastic teacher to all of the kids as well!
Our team has been able to accomplish so much in the short time we have been here (with the support of Greg, Megan, and the incredible people they work with here in India as well as all of the people in SLC who donated time, supplies, funds, etc.)
Each child has (or will on Monday) received:
a hygiene kit
Medical exam
School supplies
Warm hat
Fleece blanket
Our team has taken on the daunting task of painting the interior walls of the one-room schoolhouse. The YMAD kids bought posters and a calendar to hang as the finishing touch.
We are also working on providing screens for the ashram and coal to keep them warm this winter. The kids also painted a beautiful mural on ashram's wall.
Sending all my love to my wonderful family I miss you all so much and can't wait to see you on December 3rd! XOXO
Our days begin early. Greg offers an optional Boot Camp, Megan and Abby lead others in a vigorous and scenic run through the hills. Erika has become our resident Yogi offering rooftop sessions of Warrior One and Down Dog at dawn.
We leave the NHCP at 8:30 each day. 6 jeeps are loaded with duffle bags containing supplies for the day. Everyone piles in and heads for their schools.
Our team is pretty convinced that we have the smartest, most affectionate and enthusiastic students of all. Each day that we have spent with them has made it more difficult to imagine leaving. How is it possible to love someone you just met?
I am so lucky to have this wonderful group of YMAD kids!
Matt is the Gentle Giant. He painstakingly prepped his math lesson the night before and helped each child thread and triple-tie their bead bracelets after an expert, interactive lesson on addition.
Caleb really knows how to connect with the kids. He was very creative with his group when he walked them around the schoolyard looking for geometric shapes to reinforce his lesson. It is obvious how much he loves them!
Andrea has such a great teaching style. Its a combination of an open, friendly approach with a natural flair for keeping the kids in line when the afternoon wiggles hit. Her positive outlook has been a constant since day-one.
Chloe conveys a gentle kindness with each student. Her lesson on sports and hobbies was enhanced with a rousing game of charades.
She is always prepared and great at improvising when unexpected things pop up.
Zippy shares her sunny personality and easy smile with all of the kids. They yell "Zeepy!" when they see her. Besides having a wonderful way with the kids at Kalsui, Zippy has been a huge asset to our team with her talent for planning and problem solving.
Zach is a unique individual with an uncanny talent for making music anytime, anywhere with anything! Whether it be a ukulele, wooden flute or two long sticks with assorted buckets trash cans or bowls, if Zach is around, there will be music. He is a fantastic teacher to all of the kids as well!
Our team has been able to accomplish so much in the short time we have been here (with the support of Greg, Megan, and the incredible people they work with here in India as well as all of the people in SLC who donated time, supplies, funds, etc.)
Each child has (or will on Monday) received:
a hygiene kit
Medical exam
School supplies
Warm hat
Fleece blanket
Our team has taken on the daunting task of painting the interior walls of the one-room schoolhouse. The YMAD kids bought posters and a calendar to hang as the finishing touch.
We are also working on providing screens for the ashram and coal to keep them warm this winter. The kids also painted a beautiful mural on ashram's wall.
Sending all my love to my wonderful family I miss you all so much and can't wait to see you on December 3rd! XOXO
Tanner Jensen
Captains log: start date 11/25 in the 21st century, Chamba India, eighth day into the India expedition. As an adult leader of the ERA school, I look back on our most recent adventure and realize I could not have asked for a more dependable and dedicated crew: Renae, Madeline, Emily, Tommy, and Matt. Our operation had been compromised by an experimental project designed to triple the kids in our teaching pool. Being put into a new and alien territory without sufficient man power and supplies left the crew with low moral. However, with the extreme efforts of the crew, success was achieved and 70 extra kids are now being taught, medically checked, and provided basic hygienic needs. More importantly, the crew has dedicated efforts to install running water and new lighting into the school. The difference the crew is making on these children's lives in such a short period is remarkable and only reflects the true nature of these young men and women.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Namaste from Chamba!
I hope you are all doing well back home, I love and miss you all. We left just over a week ago on this wonderful, amazing journey that we have spent so much time preparing for, and every day of the trip thus far has been beyond what I can describe with words. I don’t want to say anything cliché, like, “I am having so much fun here, its so surreal, I don’t even know what to think!” because I know exactly what I’m thinking and feeling, and it is incredible. The feeling evoked by being here, and being with the children we have spent the last year preparing to see, is simply put, eye opening. They have so little here, and yet they are so happy. I am working at Sahoo, and the first day we came to teach we saw the children just over the crest of the hill on the way to the school, leaning out the windows, erupting into huge cheers and spilling into the school yard upon seeing us. Here we are, about 30 strangers from America that these kids have never met nor know anything about, and yet they were so happy to see us. Spending time in the school these last few days, its been me trying to teach the 57 kids we work with, and yet I’ve found that its them that has taught me. I know that may sound strange, or hard to believe, or probably even cliché, but it couldn’t be more true. They’re so humble, and they’re so easy to love and willing to love back, that I feel every one of us could learn something from them and their hope and joy. Every morning I wake up, tired from jet-lag and lack of sleep, not to mention consuming nothing but curry for the past week and taking cold bucket showers, but every day I have more fun than the day before, and I know that there is nothing that I would rather be doing. This is one of the best experiences I have ever had, and as we move into our last few days with the kids I’m going to make the most of every minute. Though it will break my heart to reach the day when we can no longer say “kal milenge” to the children at the end of the day, I know that I’ll always remember the experiences I’ve had here, and I know that the kids will never forget either. I love each and every one, and I am so happy to tell all you back home the memories and experiences I’ve had here. I love you all and I’ll see you soon!
Love, Jacob
PS-Mom and dad, I really need you to register for me at the U by December 1st, sorry about that, love you!
Incredible
I AM ALIVE AND HAPPY!!!! :D Don’t worry I am doing very well, actually great and loving it here!! I apologize for not blogging until now! I love you all. I am here, in India, Chamba to be precise. The traveling was long and it was difficult knowing what time it was, it was dark outside, then light… then dark. We arrived in New Delhi and it was very smokey and was like after 12 am! We stayed the first night in a house in New Delhi and I have been eating Indian food which isn’t bad! I’m very grateful for a good stomach and have been doing very good! I experienced Culture Shock yes, garbage in the streets, stray dogs and animals, and so much poverty. People will sleep in the streets and I want to help them. So on a great note I absolutely love the people here and EXPECIALLY the KIDS!! I met the Kids at my school Niham on Tuesday I believe!!! I was nervous beforehand but immediately fell in love with them. The cutest people in the world are those Children. I have had such special connections and bonding with them. I am learning their names and doing great with them!! I teach educational workshops and am loving it. The craziest thing is that there is only one real day left of being with the kids. Tomorrow we are going to go around to all of the schools and sing and dance. Then finishing our last day on Monday, way crazy and I don’t want to think about leaving the kids. I am having like reversed Cultural Shock for sure. I love it here and it never gets old and is gorgeous here. We also go to the Temple Austrum (Orphanage) and I love it there also, this little Girl Nisha, oh my goodness she is the sweetest and so darn cute. She will just hold my hand and we play games and it’s hard to describe the connection felt here, I imagine it could be like being a Father in a way. I love these Kids so much and want more than anything to see them succeed in life and be so happy. They are such a great example to me, they can live without luxuries we have in America like fresh tap water, indoor plumbing, fresh air, instant heat, etc, but they can smile and be happy. It’s so crazy and these kids are incredible, and humble. So much has happened and don’t worry I have wrote everyday in my journal. I hope all is going well back at home and that it continues to be that way!! J
P.S.- Happy Thanksgiving Mom hope your B-day it was way great!!
Jordan Biesinger
Transformed
It has been four days of teaching in the schools. Everyday I wake up excited to go and see the children that I have had the opportunity of getting to know. They were so shy when we first got there; I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to get them to open up. It turned out that I didn’t need to do anything. Once they got to know us they transformed from shy, quiet children into the most energetic and fun kids. There is this one little boy named Rafi, he is so cute I couldn’t help but hug him from the second I saw him. He is five years old, and has the biggest brown eyes and the most amazing smile. Rafi was too shy to give me high fives for the first three days, but today, he finally held my hand. The whole school, which is about 41 children, played hot potato. Every so often I would look over at Rafi and catch him looking at me. I would smile and wave and he would get this huge grin on his face. Seeing him light up from just a little wave and a smile makes me so happy. I will never forget holding his little hand and seeing him smile at me. It is hard to describe the feeling I get when I help the kids. When past YMAD kids come back and say they would do anything for the kids they taught, you never realize how serious they are. I would do anything for the children I have come to know. They have helped transform me into a more patient and humble person. I love these kids with all my heart; they have truly changed my life.
Zippy Ford
PS. I miss you family and Max hope all is well!!
Raj, the man, the legend.
Here are pictures with Raj. He works for YMAD in India and sets up our expeditions in the North. He is amazing and works super hard for the children in India and your teens. We could not do what we do without him.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Dark Muddy Water
It is difficult to express what an amazing experience we have had! The Sahoo school is nestled on a cliff . . . high on the mountains. Our teams consists of Denali, Cedar, Eli, Caleigh, Elise, Jacob and Emily. Each day we hike down to the school to teach 57 beautiful, smart, and energetic Indian children. Our drive to the school is about one hour from where we are staying. Even though I feel my life is at the hands of our driver . . . Lalou. He successfully negotiates the cliffs, cars and if you can imagine buses on the one lane roads. It is not unusual to have a herd of goats and sheep cause us to a complete stop for a few minutes. However, Lalou is a master with his horn ... as is every Indian driver through the entire town of chamba.
Our group decided yesterday to try a new experience while teaching the hygiene and health lessons. While the children come to school with a thin shirt and sweater ... their hair is combed perfectly. . .it is obvious that baths and washing comes at a premium if they can afford shampoo. Our group took on the challenge of wanting to wash hair with shampoo and conditioner, wash faces and ears. . . leaving each child feeling clean and fresh from the neck up! We went to the village to purchase pretty hair clips and colorful elastic so the each girl could have a hair clip to take home. The rain ponchos were a hit and we purchased a few towels to make sure that their bodies could stay dry in the cold and hair way dry. Our group even thought of using the one electric source to bring blow dryers so the children's heads would not get cold. Many of the kids have colds coming on with the winter approaching. The beautiful hand knit hats that we brought from the USA were place on each child's head. It has been the talk of the village. Cedar spearheaded the head washing. Needless to say each bucket that was filled up for washing was filled up with dark muddy water after each child had their hair cleaned. Raj, our interpreter, said that the parents my only be able to wash hair once every few months or so . . . that is why they are go grateful for us to do this act of love. Caleigh was on hair styling detail... Eli, Elise, Jacob and Denali were working on medical exams. Emily was in charge of dental hygiene! It was amazing how hard working our team was to get everything done.
Today we are taking the children into town to purchase a new pair of shoes and two pairs of socks. Each student will also receive a sweater that can help them stay warm through the harsh, cold winter months. It is cold and the kids are coughing with the thread bare clothing that they have. But despite all of the simple and basic needs they have . . . they are happy, inquisitive and most of all, incredibly gracious and full of gratitude for our presence and help.
This Thanksgiving. . . I am grateful for all of the parents of YMAD... for the incredible children you have raised, for shoes, for socks, for my health, and my American citizenship, which provides me a lifestyle of comfort and security. I am grateful for my children and husband, who have been supportive of me being away. I have had a life changing experience and know each one of your children are . . . truly making a difference in a country that ives with so little, and works so hard to sustain themselves every day. Happy Thanksgiving to all . . . and finally I want to give thans for finally getting the internet, which has not been available for days! India has been a fabulous life experience.
Susan Porter
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