Preparing for our week with the children

DAY TWO

Internet as is everything else in India is a little slow in connecting and that is why I am a little behind on my blogging and keeping up to date on our journey.

Today was a little more laid back which was nice.  I think that everyone that arrived yesterday was feeling a the jet leg even more today…I know I was. In the morning we got up at our leisure and had a very delicious breakfast; again prepared by the housekeeper, Kala.  It was a little piece of heaven made of potatoes, onions and spices all wrapped up in bread made in a sandwich maker. DELICIOUS.

After lunch we needed to start the preparations and shopping for L.I.B. and the project.  We just found out that the building our school operates out of has been sold!  We only have a few weeks to find another place for the centre and move our operations. This is very interesting as in our last Board of Directors meeting we were discussing the possibility of purchasing the building that we are currently in as it is one of the larger and more secure spaces in the slum community.  In regards to the volunteer project, this means that the time we had scheduled to paint and clean up the centre will no longer be required, which is unfortunate.  In lieu of this time the sewing centre will be opened up each day at 11am so that we can work on the quality of sewing and new exciting projects. Corine Hild, one of the volunteers will take lead of a blanket making course for the ladies.

To accommodate all the amazing activities that L.I.B. and its volunteers were planning ; the schedule is as follows:

Time	August 9	August 10	August 11	August 12	August 13	August 14
930-1030		Primary Classes (arts and crafts, English, games and dance)	Primary Classes (arts and crafts, English, games and dance)	Primary Classes (arts and crafts, English, games and dance)		NGO visits and program review.
1030-1130	Sewing class – Baby blankets				Sewing class – Operations Sock Monkey Training
11230-1230
1230-130	LUNCH	LUNCH	LUNCH	LUNCH	LUNCH	LUNCH
130-230	Sewing class – Baby blankets	Middle classes (arts and crafts, English, games and dance)	Middle classes (arts and crafts, English, games and dance)	Middle classes (arts and crafts, English, games and dance)	Sewing class – Operations Sock Monkey Training
230-330	Introductions and button making				Arts, crafts and games with the kids. Finishing up  projects from the week.	Final celebration and good byes. We have a clown coming out to entertain the children!
330-430	Shoebox Delivery!!!

Sameera and I went to get supplies for the shoe boxes and the centre in a nearby community.  It was very interesting to be a part of this and I am very grateful the Sameera was here as it would be even more time consuming and frustrating to navigate on my own.  We first stopped at a stationary store where we were able to get crayons, paints, note books, pencils, pens erasers, sharpeners, crafty stuff and a few more odds and ends.  It is so interesting going into th marete little communities to see what life is happening.

A few things that caught my eye:

• There was a man at the store who was three hole punching note books and he was using a hand drill
• Predominantly men are the workers no matter the job; even in positions that in Canada we view to be more of a female position. Ie. Tailor, hair stylist, aestheticians.
• Kids are kids!  They play, run, smile, love!  When I was in the car with my son they were all very interested. My son loved seeing them too.
• On the other hand there are still kids that are askig for food and it is very sad

From there we went back home to meet up with the rest of the early and eager volunteers. It was a pretty successful afternoon and we are almost prepared for the day we finally get to go out and see the children.