Hey folks,

sorry it has been a year of so few blogs. To be honest, we simply haven’t had the time. We have now arrived safely back in the UK and are very tired having travelled over night.

More information will surely pop up soon concerning works done this year and also thoughts for next year.

For the moment though, let me leave you by saying if you are in the Godalming area on Saturday 12th September, then please head on down to the Godalming United Church at 7pm for a review and recruitment evening. We will have a report of our work and the team’s experiences, plus an opportunity to look forward to next year’s project. BE THERE!!

Thanks for following guys, I will leave something more detailed when I am not quite so jet lagged!

Isaac.

p.s. Yellagiri went off (as Rob would say). It was an amazing time for us and for the boys.

Sorry about how long it has been since the last post- we’ve been so very busy that I have chosen the highlights.

On Wednesday 14th six of us were guests of honour at the main YMCA Branch called Esplanade for an Independence Eve Dinner, which also included a prize draw. We were dressed up in our smart Indian clothes, which does look amusing! The speeches were short, and included several references to us- we were sitting at the front in special chairs. We were then presented with gifts and many photos were taken. The meal was a meat Biryani, which was delicious!

Independence Day was very strange and exciting. Liv and I were honoured guests at the Tondiarpet Community Centre (which Chennai Challenge has funded an extention and new roof). After having the (many!) kids sing the national anthem I was invited to open the flag of India on the flagpole. Afterwards Liv and I gave ‘thanks and greetings from the UK’, received a pashmina scarf each, and handed out sweets to the children. In a country that Britain was the ruler for so many years, it is a strange concept to be the honoured guests at their Independence celebrations. They would not have it any other way it seems!

Next highlight was the visit to the temples in Mahabalipuram. It rained all day! Was unfortunate, as we have been very blessed with the weather this trip. The first Temple we visited we got ‘stung’ by a ‘guide’ and had to pay to ‘get rid of him’. After this, we learnt not to get a guide for any of the other temples. Because they are a place of worship, you can only see the outer area- the inner parts are only for Hindus.
In the next temple we each got ‘blessed’ by an elephant, which was being touched on the head with its trunk. Many others were lifted onto the shoulders of a big elephant and had their photos taken. Photos will be provided to show this, although I didn’t get up there personally. The next good one was a World Heritage Site, which we could climb on. Much fun occurred, including ‘photo shoot’ pictures- very amusing!

On Wednesday 21st we traveled to Yellagiri Hills with the Boys. It was such good fun traveling with them, as we were singing and dancing for most of the five hour journey.
After a large and very full programme lasting until Saturday 24th, the boys left in the buses leaving us behind for a couple of days ‘holiday’. Peter, one of boys, gave a speech in Tamil of Thanks to the team, translated by Edwin. It was a very emotional moment, as even the hardest of men had some tears in their eyes (yes, me included).

Once they left, it was very strange being in the hills without the noise of the boys- even long attending members like Rob, Cathy and Isaac said how strange it was without them. It was so good to have time to relax- we have had a very busy programme for the whole trip this year.

The only bit that was not enjoyed by the team was the journey back. We were in a 11 seater van, with 12 of us. The smaller members of the team were wedged on the floor, but decided that the pile of bags were better to sleep on- not! It was hot, humid, sweaty and generally awful.

Yesterday, we went to paint a Community Centre run by Oasis, another Christian Charity doing work in the slums. Once we got there, it became clear just how much work needed doing. When we got all the preparations done, bought the paint and started, it was nearly 3pm. By the end of the day, only a third had been completed, so we decided that nearly everyone would go back today and finish it off.
The rest of us sorted out the gift packs for the boys (containing toothbrush, paste, soap, powder, toy and sweet). Although these are normal bits for each of us in the UK, the boys totally loved the packs given in previous years. We will update you on the reaction this year.

That’s all for now folks! We shall see you back in Blighty in a few days!
Best wishes,
Nick

Yes we are still here, despite the very busy schedule- which is why this post is so short!

All the team are well, but motions keep changing day to day…..

Yesterday we went to Mallapurum- which involved the usual excellent Indian driving. We opted for a van with air-con, and had various team members complaining they were cold- in India of all places! Anyway, we went to see some of the oldest temples in the area that have some wonderful carvings and painted beautifully.

Weather was suprisingly wet. This made the trip even more fun. One of the highlights was having a ‘blessing’ done by an elephant, which also included climbing onto its head and having a picture taken. We had some very brave members of the team, who were rather scared to do it but did. Well done to all!

Now off to pack for Yellagiri, so you won’t hear from us until we get back. We are having four days with the boys, then two extra days to recover!

Best wishes,
Nick

So then, India is Independent, Hoorah! 62years of and yet it somehow feels slightly odd being here and joining in the celebrations. We do celebrate however, and are always made very welcome. Almost too welcome at some points.

Anyway to get to the point, we split the team in two to go to different celebrations on Independence Eve celebrations, half at YMCA Roypettah and half at YMCA Esplanade. A good time was had by all and at Roypettah we enjoyed a fine selection of music, some speeches that were very good and Rob wasn’t asked to give a speech. However Rob did need to present someone with a gift (and could even open a shawl effectively) and the group was asked to sing a song. We obliged with ‘Our God is an awesome God’. Nathan mimed, it was for the best. The evening ended with a good biryani meal, but in a slightly odd way in that we were given it as a takeaway and went away.

Meanwhile at Esplanade there was some dancing from local school children (from the YMCA Fort school no less) more speeches and such. Cathy did have to make a speech, with someone elses name crossed off the running order. This group even got to eat at Esplanade.

Saturday was Independence day itself, and so started at 7.30 with a flag hoisting at Vepery. After this we split in to 5 groups to visit celebrations at the 3 YMCA community centres, Kottivakkum school and an Oasis school. All of this was very exciting, with us doing some flag pulling and looking official, Liv had to do a small speech (which she ‘borrowed’ from things Bernard and Cathy had said the night before), school exercise books were given out at Sathumanagar, we bought breakfast for people at Sathumanagar and Egmore, and a cultural program was enjoyed at Kottivakkum.

All quite busy so far. We eventually all returned to Vepery at various times, in time to get some lunch and prepare for Boys Town. Well it would have been fine, except for Prince. Prince asked for a few people to lend a hand at a fair and took 7 team members! So they went and manned the YMCA hoopla stall and had a good time (possibly including a water fight, mainly caused by Maria). They managed to get just in time to go out again to Boys Town, with Prince buying them a takeaway lunch. Those who had been left behind had also bought them a takeaway lunch, but such is life.

Boys Town was absolutly crazy! We did seem to get 131 boys completely hyped up with our songs and silly anticts. Games that defy Health and safety were played, throwing tennis balls at each other (60 tennis balls flying around, madness) and frisbee (or should that be frishbee) games that got a little mad as well. Eventually we calmed down to do the banner of hands that should have been done already. Whilst this was going on Becky from Oasis was visiting the site, having a look round and seeing what it is we do. She was impressed by our energy. This is good.
The Boys are very excited about Yellagiri and so are we.

So, we sped back to Vepery (literally) with the driver trying to be clever and going down oneway streets the wrong way, and ending up in a very narrow street, that was meant for minibuses like ours. It was nice to see how willing people are to just move other peoples scooters and motorbikes out of the way, with no notion of asking.
After a quick freshening up we were out To Ebi’s house for dinner, which was brilliant. Asir, George and Edwin also joined us as Ebi thanked us for our work, and we performed our party piece, ‘electricity’ from Billy Elliot.

What a day.

Sunday was not so eventful.

there was a church feature for some in the morning, and sleeping for others.
After this we took a trip to Spencer Plaza to do a bit of personal shopping and money changing.
Rob and Sarah went to by Material with George so we can get a set of clothes made for each of the boys at Boys Town, as well as some kitchen utensils for them.
Then the day seemed to just drift away until now.

Tomorrow we visit Mallapurum, and then Wednesday is Yellagiri Hills!

Oh, I also forgot to mention that there has been quite a bit of variation in peoples ‘motions’ so to speak. Both in the consistency and urgency. Nothing major, but we have had a couple of people sit out from some activities.

Right then, we will try to get here again before Yellagiri, until then, Toodle pip!

Rob

Howdy folks!

Sorry sorry sorry that we have been useless at keeping you up to date. It’s been more than hectic here, as we have now met with Becky from Oasis and have booked in many more things into the timetable. It’s looking like we are pretty much booked up till August 28th now!

Yes, Maria speaks the truth, we have survived an earthquake here in Chennai. More importantly there have been some major movements on the money front. After many discussions and thoughts and ideas it seems that we have decided what we are spending most of the funds on. The major project (as we may have mentioned) is extending the size of Tondiarapet Community Centre. Currently the site is unsecure and therefore is not being used effectively. We will be significantly increasing the size and security of the building which will hopefully breath new life into it, and allow the community to develop new programmes including education.

We have also said yes to many repairs at the Boys Town and School, including reconnecting the power to the main hall (currently very hot and sweaty, and dark with no fans or lights). Further to that we are buying new benches for Fort School, which will mean that classes that are currently sitting on the floor will be able to sit at a desk.

There are many other small, and medium things on the list of yes’s, which we will inform you of in more detail when we have a bit more time. For now – Oasis:

Some great things happening here. We met with Becky and she informed the team of the work that Oasis are doing here in Chennai. We then sat down and booked in a number of things that we will be helping with. This includes English speaking lessons (thank you Emma!), cross-stitch classes (thank you Sarah!), dance classes (thank you Liv!); fun station afterschool clubs (thanks all!); and early morning football training (well done Nathan and Emma). We will also be helping to paint a new multi-purpose hall that has been acquired for further activities. Oasis primarily work in slum communities, so we have now had some experience of walking through slum towns and meeting people in their home communities. This has been quite daunting and quite scary, as well as moving and incredibly humbling.

Two more important pieces of news before I go. Firstly, it is one of Chennai Challenges aims to build links between organisations currently working in Chennai, and we have now been given the opportunity to do this really obviously. Becky spoke to us about the fact that they have been looking for more rooms to do their inclusion projects, and afterschool tuition and fun stations, and asked about the community centre in Egmore (one of the three YMCA centres). We have spoken to Ebi, and it looks as if there will be a joint program running at Egmore provided by YMCA and Oasis. This is exciting news!

Secondly, and perhaps more excitingly; having spoken to Ebi, we have been informed that the battle over land at Fort School is over, and the Government want the YMCA to build a new school building there to provide a better education for the slum children who attend the school. We are hoping next year to have this as a main project. This will take a LOT of funds, so get ready for some super fund raising in the year to come! We will be getting rough estimates before we leave at the end of August. How amazing if we can help the YMCA to build a new school with better facilities?!

Well, we have had some people with tiredness and a little sickness, but generally everyone is in good spirits. Please pray for good health and energy for the holiday camp at Yelligiri particularly.

And now we’re off to various Independence Day Eve Celebrations. We will have fun I’m sure. I’m particularly looking forward to Biryani.

SEE YA LATERS!!

p.s. Ollie has spent a LOT of money on clothes. Nearly 40 pounds on one outfit! It’s very fancy.

isaac.