Returning 2009

Watch this space! Going back to Delhi Feb2010

Postscript

We have arranged our first meeting together (apart from seeing each other every Sunday!) since we got back, for 29th March. Lots of photos to exchange!

Incidentally- I looked at my mobile today and guess what? Two video clips showing Dick Hogben trying to avoid dancing while festooned with flowers. Anyone who wants a copy just add a comment to this post and I'll get them to you.

I'll leave you with one last image of my favourite kind, from Kusumpur Pahadi.

Greetings and Thanks...

Okay I am not up as early as some...!

I was asked especially by Kiran to pass on her greetings to our church and our friends, and her thanks for all the support you have given to us as a team and to Asha. So thanks from Kiran, and from us. We have really felt that we have gone to the poor in Delhi representing YOU this time because we have felt you all so much behind us!

So thank you for your interest, for your financial gifts, for you prayer support, for your selling of crafts, for your buying of crafts, for your reading our blog, and whatever else you have done to help. Special thanks are due to Rob Atkin who kindly drove the bus up to Heathrow to collect us yesterday, and deliver us to our homes.

Together we have all been part of representing the love of Jesus to the poorest of the poor in Delhi, helping them to feel they matter to Him and to us.

So...THANK YOU!!!!!!

Reflections

We've just been reading through the blogs together, catching up with people's impressions, highs, lows and inner thoughts. I never really made it into the computer room because of the permanent residents! How can Tim and Laura get there so fast?
I wish I could have recorded some of the conversations we have had during the week, just as we have photos to remind us of the sights. I don't want to forget those chats in the backs of rickshaws ( eyes closed as buses and lorries criss-cross in front of us) as we reacted together to the life going on around us. It made us reflect on the things we are shaped by- the Highway code, health and safety, conformity. And yet, we realised how patient and tolerant the people are here. they don't react when others cut them up at the lights!
On a deeper level we have had long chats (over curries- even the Chinese food was hottttttttttt!) about the rights of the child, social justice, priorities and the asha approach to changing whole communities. We chatted with Kiran about her priorities. Water, education, health, social inclusion. No wonder she said she couldn't sleep some nights with all the ideas flying round in her head.
I was so struck by the way all the children in Ektar Vihar could recite the UNICEF Rights of the Child. They KNEW they were entitled to education, parental love, sex equality etc etc. What a powerful message to give them. As Kiran said at the High Commission, she wanted them to know that it was not their fault they were born in the gutter, that they belonged to the human family as equals. Wow, powerful stuff.
I'm sure we will all have come back different people for this experience, having some of our prejudices stripped away and looking at others through different eyes. I know I've got loads to think about.
Thanks Dick and Julie for making it possible for us to share your passion for the poor. What a challenge!

Sue (Early morning posting!)

Nigel beat me to it...body clocks....

Well it's 6am and I have had a few hours sleep....

I just want to say what an amazing privilege it has been to work as a team with this wonderful crowd from Yeovil. Some of them had never spoken to each other before...but relationships will never be the same again.....we've seen Neil dance....and pay 550 ruppees for a "shoe shine" (10 rupees going rate...but the guy has a tender heart!)

Al, Tim and Dennis sat APART on the plane...NO WAY!!!

We have discussed "gastric incidents" over breakfast.....

More than anything though....it has been great to see our friends catch the asha vision and I am sure they have all left a little bit of themselves behind in Delhi....Nigel says "more than I had intended"... but he was referring to the "unfortunate occurrance" that took place in the bathroom in the early hours of one morning.....

Now our Yeovil friends will have more of us banging on about the work of asha!

I also have skirts, tops, scarves (loads!!!), journals and bits and pieces that I have bought in order to follow up with some fundraising.

Hand over and back to the UK

Well, we are back, and I know it is early (05:00 am in the UK), but hey, that's the body clock kicking in.

The Inauguration of the centre was attended by around 500 people, stunning welcome, the pleasure on faces, enthusiastic handshaking, much dancing by some of the children who had dressed up specially to perform in front of all their family and friends all added to making it a very special event.

A part of the opening were the interviews for television. Dick, Tina, Julie and I were "volunteered", so we shall see what happens. They wanted to know what we had done, why we had come, and what were our impressions, all difficult to sum up in a few short sound bites. They were also interested in the training that Tim and Dick had done for local Doctors and that I have been able to do some work with Kiran to help prepare for meetings with local bankers where Asha is working with them and the Finance Ministry in Delhi to start putting together a scheme that will make banking facilities available to those in the slums.

Yesterday (Sat) brought the trip home, a long day with a 9 hour flight which (looking back) went quite quickly. reflection time for all of us. We looked at the slums and and saw the difficult circumstances its residents lived in, the crowding within the slums, lack of water supplies, lots of evidence of poor health, but we also saw determination to improve, immense pride in the homes that had been built, (often on previously waste ground), the gratefulness that people had for Asha and the work it was doing, helping to improve health amongst all the population, especially the rates of infant mortality. Many of the people we met had lived in the slums for many years, having moved from rural villages, where there was limited food (especially if a harvest failed) no work and worse poverty. Their moves to Delhi were driven by looking for work, a better life, and in some cases for the women, being sent through an arranged marriage to join another family (often at 16) and to be part of a household in the slum with the husbands family. By our standards, very hard, but accepted as normality by those we met, with no regrets.

Water is a constant issue, there is no piped water to Kasumper Pahardi (hope I spelt that right!) Water is delivered by 40 tankers each day (still not enough for the 5000 who live there). All over the slums there are rows and rows of blue water carriers, some full, some waiting to be filled all the constant flow of tankers into the slums. Being an illegal development, we are told that the Government will not install standpipes or any other system to alleviate this problem. As a result all water is precious, making it even more special when we see how generous people are being towards us. Many of the people we met have lived with this for 25+ years.

As others have said, we were taken on walks around the slums. Crowded with familys living very close together, here are some images of this.

It was always amazing to walk round a corner and find a cow, goat or sheep. Often a cow would wander down the lane. Cows are sacred in India, and often left free to roam.

Nigel.

And next...we address one sixth of the world's population!

So Kiran drops us in it again! This time - 5 minutes before my departure to the slum for the inauguration ceremony she tells me that an Indian national news channel wishes to interview us on camera! So when I arrived at the slum I had just 5-10 minutes to warn the team. We picked our spokesmen- I had to be one according to Kiran - and we added Julie Tina and Nigel. We picked our soundbites and answered the interviewers questions using those. I just hope whatever proportion of India's 1.2 billion who watch will be enthralled! What a week this has been!

This morning Tim and I had our teaching session with the Asha doctors, which we both found an enjoyable and highly interactive experience. We then spent a while chatting to Kiran's 17 year old daughter - an aspiring doctor, who had been doing a research project among the elderly in the slum. Another inspiring experience.

Tonight Kiran and Freddy are taking us out for a meal...!

overview

Well, what a week it's been! The people here are amazing - so generous and hospitable with so little. Yesterday was a blue gloss day for me (Val) and Neil finally finished his artwork in the underwater scene room. The women then prepared a meal for at least 15 people as a thankyou for our work during the week. Yesterday afternoon we went to the British High Commission for tea, having been invited by Wendy Butler, wife of Deputy High Commissioner. It was good to hear how supportive she is of Asha's work - she recently invited 25 children from the slums for tea, which was quite an experience for all apparently! We were joined by another group from St Stephen's in Twickenham, who are working in another slum.
This afternoon we are looking forward to going to the opening ceremony of the Community Centre/Medical Centre we have been painting. We are sure the women will have done a fantastic job cleaning and decorating the room ready for this occasion and we know the rooms will be well used.
One memorable incident yesterday was a young boy who had never seen a football before and was absolutely delighted to be given one of his own! He kept it clutched firmly to his chest!
The lads here seem to use balls made out of strands of old inner tubes and they are incredibly skillful at 'keepey uppey' - or 'tonghi' as they call it.
With a little free time this morning we hope to visit the Moghul Gardens at the Presidents Palace and maybe do a bit more shopping - looking forward to yet another exhilarating auto-rickshaw ride in the cut and thrust of Delhi traffic where the rule seems to be 'he who dares wins!'.
So much more we could share and lots of wonderful pictures to show on our return.
Val & Neil

Three little maids...or three muskateers...

We have in our midst a threesome whom no man (or woman) shall dare separate. They share the same quarters and spend their pre sleep moments putting the world to rights until the early hours. Rarely seen apart unless Tim is blogging (again) (Judy...he has presents!!!!! You nearly had a carpet too.....it was a close call!)

They swagger into the dining hall, three abreast Al, Dennis and Tim. When I suggested early on in the week if they wanted to sort out a single room for one of them as their space was quite cramped...Al indignantly responded "they'll be divorce proceedings if we do!" Ahhh blessssssss!

We have wondered about changing the words to the G&S "Three little maids from school are we....."

My Newest Friends...

We have finished the painting at last!

It really came together at the end and everyone seems very happy with the work. As we were coming to a close yesterday we were joined by little Vishal. Although I had met him and a million others before, hand shakes and broken English greetings had soon become very superficial and I was struggling to interact with them. So I gave him a paintbrush and got him doing some seaweed. He quickly showed that he was making the work his own by changing the shapes and colours so I drew him a fish to paint. He competed this quickly and I congratulated him on his fine handy work with many smiles and thumbs up and returned to my section. I turned back to see the most delightful smile splashed across the fish's' face. We both laughed at how wonderful it was.

I also had the opportunity to talk to some lads my age. The were very friendly and we discussed the UK and India, their hopes, the water shortage, what I do etc. I talked a little too much about my life since one said that he was a very unlucky person. However he said this with a smile and as we continued talking he really showed incredible wisdom towards money. He said that the rich have a tension in their life of always wanting more yet the poor can be happy. Now of course he disliked the water shortages and dreams of being a lawyer to better himself; nobody would live in his slum out of anything but necessity, yet he had this real understanding that impressed me so much. I hope he fulfills his dreams. This is also why Asha is so impressive: they give the poor a hand to pull themselves out of their situation, not just throwing cash at them. Money without wisdom is useless.

Two days ago I had met Vishal's brother Eclob. Eclob and I had really hit it off as I showed him my family photos. Today I was humbled again as he gave me a tungi. This is a ball of loose rubber that the boys play keep ups with. It is made from bike inner tubes and is a very simple thing but I have it now in my pocket with the clear instruction to give my brother Chris a go. (Krish as they say, my name is 'eh'shteve) Although I know it is always the case I can't help but be astounded that a child as poor as him be so generous?! I have had the great privilege this week to make some wonderful new friends.

A different kind of day

Today I got the morning off to go and sit in on a doctor's surgery in the Asha polyclinic. There were many young women there to discuss fertility issues. It is very important to most Indian couples to have children and to have a son if at all possible. I think there is quite a big social stigma associated with being childless.

We also saw a very worrying case of a young boy who had come to the doctor some time earlier and been given treatment for a nasty infection. We know he is usually quite a strong and feisty child but today he does not look strong, in fact, he walks in holding onto furniture for support. He is much weaker and more unwell. Blood tests show that he is severely anaemic, as well as problems. We can't tell exactly what is wrong without further tests and the doctor wants to admit him to hospital but we are told we can only do this if we are able to find blood for his immediately necessary transfusion. There is no national blood bank in India, each hospital has their own and you need to contribute some from donor if you are going to use any. As I left, the doctor was still trying to find a place to get some. I hope and pray that things worked out as he was getting very ill.

On a happier note, we have finished the painting early!! Thanks to- well everyone, really, for working so hard at it, and Dennis for organising us, but above all, a special mention to the master decorator and paintmeister extraordinaire of great patience, Radishan and also his two helpers. And here he is, pictured.

The only way for me to get time to blog!

Hi all - this is the first opportunity I have had since we've been in India to write my two-pen'orth! I have achieved it by being up all night with the runs - and being unable to go to the slum today! Life has been going at a pretty relentless pace since we have been here - but it so good to be back.
It is a fairly daunting task taking 14 people out to work in a team in the place we have come to love - the slums of Delhi. What will they think? Will they hate it? Will they work as a team? Well this team have been first class! Right from the outset we have gelled, and had so much fun together. Everybody has got stuck in and all have contributed something special to the whole:
Dennis - our Project Manager who has organised us all
Laura - who has been an absolute star with her mural painting
Steve - who has similarly kept his mural painting skills under a bushel
Riina - who has painted tirelessly
Tina - who has also been a skilled artist, and who has been excellent with the slum kids
Nick - who has been a brilliant ice-breaker with the kids
Neil - underwater mural painter extroadinaire
Val - an all-rounder, never seen slacking, and prepared to ride the bumpy slide
Sue - Another great painter and instigator of our musical masterpiece - "the wheels on the bus..."
Nigel - ...well did you know he could draw and paint fish? AND support Kiran in banking matters
Tim - who has been happy painting, encouraging slum kids and teaching docs
Alan - like me a paint slosher rather than artist - but with such panache!
Julie - last of all who has confidently led the team through Delhi airport, and is frankly "in her element" when in Delhi's slums

Thanks guys 'n' gals!

Anyway I am feeling better and will hopefully be able to get to the prayer meeting in Kusumpur Pahadi this afternoon, followed by the visit to the British High Commission later - what an honour!

Bye for now!

Link to Asha in India

If you would like to follow what Asha is doing inNew Delhi, head for www.asha-india.org , visit the site, and also see the updates that have been posted for the Yeovil team. Direct Link to Yeovil update is http://www.asha-india.org/Article.aspx?auid=879

All news and views at http://www.asha-india.org/Newsandinformation/Latestnews.aspx

Nigel.

Food For Thought

As you can read we all went on tours of Kusumpur Prahadi on Tues/Weds. I've never been a guest of such a gracious, beautiful and finely dressed group of women! (Apologies 'n all that mine hostesses past). The women's groups in these slums are a sight to behold- strong, charismatic, determined and effective. Our afternoon visit to Ekta Vihar(?spelling) was overwhelming. A large group of women and children met, and promptly completely overwhelmed us, with the energy and enthusiasm of their welcome. Before long we were all part of a singing dancing crowd. Dick, Julie, Nick and Al were very happy to meet old friends.

This picture is a women's group leader- extreme caution advised if messing with her rights.

Meeting old friends..the Ektar Vihar crowd!

Went back to Ektar Vihar this afternoon. This is the slum I worked in when I came out with the Tearfund Transform team at Easter 2005. As this is my 4th visit to India, I have been able to make brief visits to see them each time and catch up with some of the families and particularly the girls. It was so exciting to see Reena again, she was only 16 when I first met her. She is now a mother witha 9 month old son called Ashish which means blessing. She presented him to Dick and I and said "Grandmother, Grandfather"....she sees us as her "English parents". It was good to hear she had received my letters and that one of the Asha staff had read them to her. We had bought her mother in law a box of biscuits, some soap for Reena and T shirts for Ashish...now I have an excuse to visit Mothercare!
Neha, one of "my other girls" has recently got married, she must be about 17 now. She always has someone's baby on hip..soon she'll have her own baby I expect.
Usha (who is also Reena's sister in law) is 16 and is getting married next month! She was a child when I first came out...I couldn't believe the transformation. Dick and I were invited to her wedding on the 27th....
Nick had great time seeing the crowd of kids and teens who remembered him. He has been playing football with the kids quite a bit...some times in barefeet....

The God who answers prayer!

Yesterday I met a lady who had a great testimony as to how God had intervened in her life. She had been married for about 2 years and there were two major problems:

Her husband had been unable to find work.
She had been unable to get pregnant.

She went along to the Prayer meeting that meets in the slum and they got praying! Off she went, back to her slum house. That very day a letter arrived offering her husband in an insurance firm! Considering that most people are labourers in this slum, it wasn't any old job!!!!

Then very soon after she discovered she was pregnant......and expecting triplets!!!

She is now 7 months pregnant, so for those of you who pray about such things, safety for the rest of her pregnancy and safe delivery would be good starting point.

So enough for now, see you later...a painting morning in the slum followed by tea on the lawns of the British High Commission....a life of contrasts.

Water issues...

Imagine this..
10,000 people...72 toilets.... (not all of them working because of lack of water to flush...)

Most families have to go to the forest to wee...If one wants to go, then the whole family have to go because it is not safe...especially for the women...how vunerable would YOU feel?

Having no water for 2 days and being dependant on a water tanker arriving to deliver your supply.

Waiting around for the tanker which may or may not come..
If no tanker, how can you wash your clothes, cook your food etc..

We have been into homes and been offered chai which means using this precious supply for guests and not your own family....sacrificial giving..

The Woman's group is lobbying the government dept...but it costs money for 15 of them to go as a group to make their concerns felt. 14 ruppees for each person to get a richshaw. They collect funds, but finding money is a big issue. We are on the case...

So you can see water (or lack of)is a major issue in the slum where we are working...

Amazing with a capital A continued.!!

I was not sure what to expect in the slums but have been pleasantly surprised. The people are so lovely and very friendly. The children are amazing! I have had so much fun with them. The are all keen to try out their English and love to say hello and shake our hands. They really love to have their photos taken and look at the picture and constantly ask for their photo to be taken. It's a real sense of family and community and everyone seems to look out for everyone. The children are so resourceful. Our English children could learn so much from them. They are happy playing 'jacks' with stones found in the dusty ground. I had a game with a small group and they are so good at it. I wasn't!! I was made to go down their bumpy slide too!! -ouch!! I have also been pulled in to play skipping with a group of girls who had a rope. They all join in and have great fun. I was very proud to jump over the rope 20 times as the girls practiced counting in English! They showed several songs and dances so I showed them 'Down in the jungle' which has been a great hit with them joining in the actions and the 'boogie woogies'!! They are all such happy, energetic and vibrant children-not at all what I expected. They all have so little yet so much to give.

Amazing with a capital A!!

I am having such an amazing time and had so many experiences too numerous to recount. I don't know where to start!
I have seen incredible sites. The sheer amount of poverty is mind blowing. Seeing so many people and children, desperate and begging on the streets is heart wrenching. Street children run in between cars trying to get money by selling papers for pennies. They walk in the roads and hang on cars and buses, risking their lives, daily. Mums with crying and sleeping babies walk alongside anybody hoping for money.
We have done so much in such a short space of time. We have visited the red fort(alongside hundreds of Indian school children!), India Gate, the Taj Mahal which was amazing. We have had some lovely meals out and seen the contrast of the poor and rich. There are some lovely restaurants in Delhi but its really hard walking into a 5* hotel when you have a 4 year old street boy begging for money. It's a real emotional roller coaster.
Riding around Delhi in a rickshaw is a real experience- fun but life risking!! There doesn't appear to be many rules on the road and it is common for up to 6 vehicles to be spread along 3 lanes!

Another day , another paint brush

Great progress made on the painting front.
two highlights of the day for me today,
1. was a visit to one of the houses in the slum whilst on walk about. Made to feel so welcome, we were given Chai ( tea ) despite an awful water shortage which means often having to wait for hours for the tanker to turn up. The water table is so low that it cannot be accessed by means of taps etc. During the visit, the lady of the house handed me her mobile phone & said its for you !
I said " Namaste " ( hello ) , a voice on the other end said I was in his house !! . It was her husband telling us that he wanted us to stay for lunch. He was at work & wouldnt be home to meet us . Incredible generosity.
2. Going to Ektar Vehar,the slum behind the Asha HQ. We met with the womens
& Childrens groups. We spent a great time there listening to what they do ,asking Q's & they in turn asking us about what its like in the UK & how the poor are helped. Challenging stuff .
They are a very empowered group & are a gtreat expample of how the Asha way of doings things work .
Ah well - short & sweet, of to get cleaned up . t c Alan x