BLOG 16

January 28th. Things move on a pace, and a wish looks as if it may come true

The day started a trifle trickily at the Guest House, as it seemed Selvi had been attacked by her conscience overnight about having allowed ( tricked/ wheedled?) Pam to purchase the most expensive sari in the shop as our gift to her. We too felt a mixture of depressed and cross about it ourselves, so the atmosphere was a bit tepid at home over breakfast. Best not to dwell too much on this, except to say that of course all human life is here represented, that there are many different types of people whom we meet, and some are more honest and generous than others. Same as back home I guess, just more obvious and upsetting in such a very unfair society.

Our first meeting was Pam and I with the group in Seetaramanpet who will be managing the centre for the elderly. Mr Immanuel had said there isn't really any reason why it can't now open. The committee were keen, reckoned they could find the names of people and get a new bank account opened in their name, for the centre monies. I said I was a bit sad that we would be leaving now on Monday without having ever seen the elderly in the building. No worries, the women said, although the village is going to be very busy this weekend with their big festival, they can get the elderly people there on Sunday afternoon to meet us, and start next week! They have promised to go in regularly to see how it is working and how the old folk are enjoying themselves. Subsequently Pam spoke to Mr Immanuel who is going to get a mate of his to bring us a new 29" TV and a DVD player and CD player. Sekar has organised the fan to be fixed tomorrow. I cannot really believe this- although of course such rapid acceleration just before we leave has happened before. We just have to worry about getting the right choice of elderly people and about it being supported by the community and by Sekar and Joseph while it is in its infancy.

After this cheering meeting we, Pam and I with Sekar and Joseph, asked to meet with Santhi- mother of the first Candle Fund girls, and with Balaji. Mr Immanuel had had another brain wave and suggested we form this very small committee to help choose the children who should receive Candle fund bursaries, and to advise when children no longer qualify (because they marry (girls) or start employment) This could be a very helpful group for Pam and we would hope over time that they would take over the running of the fund more and more from her. They will also do all they can to encourage children who are now earning money to repay some at least of their bursary, so that other children can be helped in future. Both responded very positively and Balaji in particular was very vocal and offered several very good suggestions. He said that he himself has never had much education, which motivates him to want to help others to achieve for themselves. Santhi then said she too did not go far with her education. As we know this has driven her to be determined, despite being a widow, to get an education for her daughters.

We then repaired with all the rest of the team, who had arrived by now, to have lunch with Rani who lives in Kamanchemanpet, and whom we had never visited before. Then our last meeting of the day was a parents' meeting at the school. This was on opportunity for me to plug more about the nature of the play centre and the way of learning. I talked about children being encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning, and developing their thinking and problem-solving as a result. They seemed very impressed and full of praise for differences they had noticed in their children since they had been coming to the school, and spoke of all-round development which has carried over into the home. They managed, after heated discussion, all to agree that the children's lunchboxes could be sent home to be washed rather than the poor overworked ayah having to wash each one and replace it in the correct lunch basket.

A very heartening meeting, again. I showed them the album of photos I've taken during my stay, of the children at play, and they were all really interested in them. After they had gone we had a quick meeting with the committee and talked about how we were sure they would be working better in future with the teachers, who now had roles and responsibilities written down. We promised too that Sekar and or Joseph would be available now to sort out any problems that they couldn't sort for themselves. Fingers crossed that things may work better in future between the staff and committee.