India Thursday and Friday

Lots of work and plenty of play!

February 16 and 17

“Why are you working so fast?” This was one of the comments we got after completing our assigned work ahead of schedule!  The original plan was for the team to assist in preparing the floor in the church building for tiling – a task which was completed in 2 days.  We can’t really take sole credit for this because the ‘real work’ was done by a few local builders who were the professionals – our work was to carry the sand, stones and cement into the building where these men compacted it and prepared the floor for tiling. Nevertheless, Hillside can be proud of the hardworking team.

With our hauling task completed, we were assigned some painting and in two days we have completed the repainting of the outside of a large building, which houses the project offices,  as well as the inside of the project office, kitchen and 2 storerooms. It was good to feel like we had completed something physically tangible and the local community is thankful for our contribution.

Having said that, undoubtedly the highlight of every day has been our opportunity to interact with the children.  From the time they arrive at the property after school (about 3.30) until they go home at about 6.45 the whole place is transformed into a vibrant hive of frenetic activity.  The children swarm around the team members, screech with delight in their games of soccer, volleyball, tag and others and the air is filled with the wonderful sounds of playing and laughter.  They love to practice their English on us and we are now used to the cries of ‘auntie, auntie’ or ‘uncle, uncle’.  Our hands are shaken every few minutes and, even today, after being with them all week, we heard the little ones say ‘velcome to India’!  We just love these wonderful children!

Today we also got to visit some families in their homes. This was a truly humbling experience as we were welcomed so warmly into tiny homes – many consisting of only one room – and where we saw the resilience and dignity of parents who are raising these amazing children under very difficult circumstances.  In the home I visited, for example, a young 18 year old girl, who lives in one room with her brother (who is one of the sponsored children on the project) and her mother and grandmother, is studying to be a chartered accountant!  What we also realized when we visited these children in their homes, is how significant child-sponsorship is to these children and to their whole families, and what an amazing work Compassion International is doing in ‘rescuing children from poverty’.

Today was a significant day for every one of us – one that we will remember for a long time.

The photos today include our work and our play, the home visits and some images of life in Chennai.