Day 5 - fun... and almost done

Today was another good day!

To start off, after yoga, there was a water-tower climb. The tower was 14.5 m! (So, in my rough - way-too-tired math, that should be about 50 feet.) So I climbed to the top, on a small ladder, with a cage around me. Why did I do this, with a fear of heights? I have no idea, but I did it. The worst was the way down. I had a few panic moments, because you can't look down, and the rungs were quite small and you had to "feel" for them with your feet. (I can only imagine the Safe Guide paperwork had I been in Canada - one of the WAGGGS board members told us not to fall because of the forms lol... gee, haven't heard that before). The view was completely worth it though!

We also tried to skype with the other world centres. It kind of worked; Cabana was not in because of the time difference (which makes sense, as they are practically SK time), but the quality was iffy. What was interesting was that we, Sangam, probably the most technologically unreliable, has been producing the most web stuff! (If you go to wagggsworld.org, find the YWFF section, you should see photos and videos uploaded each day - my patrol's video will be up in the morning!)

We ended with a "night on the town." We went to Vishtavardi, a neighbourhood 10 minute walk from Sangam. Shopped (found a tunic I like! and some other things) and went to a vegetarian restaurant for supper. Delicious!

I really enjoy it here. Part of me wants to apply for volunteering or a communications intern, but the logical part of me says I need to wait until a contract turns permanent... man this life stuff gets in the way.

Hard to believe we leave in just over 24 hours! Mandy, Reike and I leave at the same time (3 AM) so I'm not planning on sleeping tomorrow night - so expect even more of a rambling blog!

Ali

Day 4 - powerful!

Today was the day of the field visit. We went to the slums - there is a movement that this female doctor is doing in them. She is training girls 11-20 to learn skills like sewing, computer, basic health/hygiene, feminine stuff. In turn, they are able to help provide for their families and teach others in the community. It actually has been working. Some of these girls are now employed, some even the breadwinners for their parents or families.

The girls were great - they were so happy and proud to show us their skills and talk with us. In our group (we split into 5 groups), there were girls that have only been in the project for a few weeks. They were confident when talking to us. When we arrived, many children were on their way to school, but soon the entire area knew we were there and came to look, or pictures.

We played some games with the girls as an icebreaker (now have some more ideas!), and then we "talked." Many tried to speak English with us - thankfully one of the graduates helped interpret. They also did mehendi on us (I have a cute design, very small but visible!).

Then we toured the slum a bit, and went into 2 houses. For comparison - the small house would have been the size of the living room at Pike Lake (and that includes the kitchen and one bedroom). The bedroom was for the son, and the other 4 members slept on the floor in the kitchen, with is smaller than the bathroom at Pike. No running water, and lots of electrical cords everywhere and extension cords. Yet they were so excited (we actually were invited to 10 houses!) and proud to show us what they have.

The second house is probably like their middle class. This one had 2 levels, but still tiny (I have pictures). This was better built... and there are 7 people there. Plus all the family that came to meet us :) They even went out and bought a lemon-juice drink (think flat seven-up but good)... again, treating us like royalty.

I was scared going in that I would be bawling, and depressed. While some of us had that reaction, I didn't - in fact, the complete opposite. Talk about girl empowerment! Talking with these families about the girls before and after was great. If a girl isn't in school, they aren't to leave the house... literally watching tv or housework. Now that they go to training, they are finding jobs. One even stood up to her family to get work instead of marrying a "bad" man. Can you imagine in a culture that dictates early marriage? (It was pointed out that I am past the point of marrying... oops).

So much was overwhelming - sights, sounds, the people (their welcoming reaction blew me away), the smells, the cars. Really everything. One young girl stayed with me most of the time, grabbing my hand to make sure I crossed the street safely (believe me, that was challengin!), and proudly pointing out cousins, and her house. Huge smiles, and awkward English, but proud... and she's only been in for 14 days. While this project will only help with 100 girls, the lasting impact and ripple effect will positively affect this community.

The rest of the day was spent using the video footage to create small videos about each part (then making it into a Sangam one - the other world centres are as well). It should be interesting to see everyone's and the other projects.

I'm exhausted, but only 2 more days... then one night of no sleep (we have to leave Sangam at 3 AM to get to the airport for our flight), then home. Wow - so much information! Tomorrow is Indian night - we are eating out and shopping as a group near the slums we were in today. Maybe people will get stuff from here after all :)

Ali

Day 3... halfway done!

So, the "real" stuff begins... we've finished on our self-development, and started on WAGGGS diversity and advocacy. My realization of the day is that although I've been trained several times on advocacy (heck, I even train it!!!) I really don't know a lot about it. I know theory of something that isn't designed to be in a vaccuum... advocacy and community leadership have so much overlap but still are interconnected.

This will be short... I'm tired :) It's been warm (okay, freaking hot, but based on what I saw on SK weather, I'm shutting up), and it's draining.

Yoga in the morning has been AWESOME! Seriously, doing yoga in the morning in India, with an Indian instructor... what better way could there be to learn it? Of course, in a 5 day span (that's when she comes) I'm not going to "learn" much, but it's been fun. There's only about 6 of us taking advantage of it, which is even better!

I guess I haven't said the statistics yet. There are 35 participants from 30 countries... and every region is represented. I'm sharing a dorm with ladies from: Maldives, Slovenia, Guyana, DRC (Congo), Uganda and Ireland. It's been great - and I'm relearning French (most here are only English speaking, and a few that are only French speaking, with group activities and not a lot of interpreters (that's another post - I feel like I'm at the UN sometimes!). There are a few WAGGGS board members and planning members here, plus the staff/volunteers (one actually finished and left today!).

Okay, yoga is in 8 hours... maybe sleep? Tomorrow will be a huge day - we're going on a field experience to the slums. Not like the slums in cities in North America - here, that's where the middle class would live. Like, illegal tents pitched in random lots and housing over a thousand people. I'm trying to prepare to be overwhelmed... which, by definition, is probably impossible. I'll try to explain later!

G'night (we have a few aussies too!)

Day 2

Another busy day… and now we actually started on the MDG’s.

GGC already has projects in place to develop the MDG’s in our organization, which is great and not-so-much. Great because we already have the plans in place, and girls across the country know what we’re about, and what WAGGGS is doing.

The not-so-much… we are supposed to come up with projects that reflect the MDGs to use. It’s hard to compete with such complete program work. We (some of the delegates from like organizations) figure we’ll create smaller projects to work on with our communities/regions/etc.

It’s been interesting to hear the different ideas about projects from around the world. Everything from getting drinking water in a community to getting positive service exposure have all been discussed, all very strong, and without judgement. We are all here to make a difference in our MO, no matter what. I love this part of Girl Guides!

We just finished up International Night. The Canadians had a costume :D Seriously. We both had Olympic gear on (me from 2004, Mandy from recently, and both of us had Olympic Mittens). It was a hit, considering some didn’t do anything. And the maple fudge and saskatoon berries were a hit as well… which means Dad doesn’t get any when I get back. Oops.

I wish I could post photos, but the internet here is not condusive to more than 10 minutes at a time. I guess if you want to see photos, you’ll have to see me!

Ali

Holi Day!!!

So, end of the official day one... and it's been good!
Today we had our first official sessions - WAGGGS sessions. We also had Holi! It's a Hindu ceremony that requires throwing paint powder and water on one another. Why? The tradition is to cover everyone so you can't tell your friends from your foes. We did a Sangam one; with water guns and eco-friendly paints (that washed off okay).

We also had opening ceremonies... well, both yesterday and today. Yesterday was the welcome to India/Sangam ceremony - very beautiful. We were each blessed and there were candles and lamps. The Sangam staff were in their official saris. Even a professional photographer (we weren't allowed to take photos).
Today was the online version. It wasn't exactly what I thought it would be - I thought there would be more live stuff. It was prerecorded, and Pax Lodge wasn't online in the end (internet problems). Mandy and I had to say the "new" promise and it made the ceremonies (right after we were blessed/welcomed into India last night, so we had markings and flowers as an added touch!). Again, wasn't allowed to take photos because of the recording equipment.

Sessions were okay today - a lot of it I train already, so it was good to see some different techniques. Ended with a pizza supper and ice cream (I think it was a chai-caramel... yummmmmm) and now sitting on the veranda typing :)

Tomorrow is international night, so that should be entertaining!

Ali

Mom - I made it :D

So, after two long flights with a short beginner one, losing a day and teaching the day before, I MADE IT :)

Sangam, so far, is indescribable. India is such a different country than Canada - my friend was right when she told me to expect to see/hear/smell NOTHING familiar. Mandy and I arrived at 5am to Sangam (with a volunteer picking us up - complete with a sign welcoming us!). We crashed until breakfast (which was an omelet and toast with cereals... nice and safe lol). The best way to describe Sangam is kinda like a resort - it's in a slum, but the grounds are beautiful and well kept.

One of the ladies in my dorm (7 people to a dorm) used to be a volunteer here, so 10 of us spent the morning in Pune at the market. This is when my camera BIT THE DUST. Yup, won't open, won't turn on, batteries are charged (took pictures yesterday). So, being the photo geek I am - sorry Dad - I bought another camera. In all honesty, it was a great deal, at less than half what I would pay at home, and it works well so far. Just didn't think my main souvenir would be another digital camera. I think I may be able to tinker with the old one, but it really wasn't working. Some gorgeous fabrics, bangles, etc... lots of pictures (including the rickshaw ride!). It was also sweet when 2 schoolgirls came up to us because they realized we were Girl Guides (they were too).

Just finished lunch - very mild vegetable curry, flatbread, rice and a lentil sauce. Dessert was fresh watermelon :) Delicious as it's just in season and local (their mango jam is pretty fabulous, made with Sangam mangos). Going to cool down in the pool right away (it's above 30 - humid but not crazy humid). I would post pictures, but there are others here who want to email home to say they made it. Then it's orientation and the Holi celebration after supper (I get to throw paint at people!! Yes, there will be pics of that).

I probably won't post until at least tomorrow - maybe later.

Al

New twist on the blog (until April 1)

So, I'm going to India right away (like less than 48 hours). I am one of the delegates at the Young Women's World Forum, representing Girl Guides of Canada at one of the four centres the conference is being held at (simultaneously).
http://wagggsworld.org/en/news/20968 is a bit of information - check out the opening ceremonies live! (Should be roughly 8:30 AM Sask time this Sunday). This is the first time they have used all four world centres at the same time for the same conference.

I will (hopefully) using this as a check-in point for certain people who keep checking up on me, and if there is decent service, to at the very least post unedited pictures.

I can hardly wait!!

Weekly challenge... challenge?

So, I've been trying the last two days to post something, and the link goes weird. Right now I have intermittent internet, so I may postpone.

I will be doing my trip through blog and some pictures. Hopefully that works!!

Have a good week :)