Some weeks are just special, this was one of them. I will undoubtably forget something in this post but as Malene and I sit outside and soak up some of this glorious sun, I will try my best. Strange to think its nearly November and still 35 degrees! I heard its snowing back home in England and Denmark?
Monday and perhaps not so much exciting, but a little nerve-racking for the children as it was dentist day. A new scheme that has been set in play is to get a mobile dentist from the hospital in Ludhiana (an hour away) to visit the orphanage. A big bus/van arrived at a nearby house, plugged in its generators, deployed its stabilizers and rear steps and waited as we arranged the children. It felt like something out of thunderbirds and probably didn’t make the children feel any more at ease for what was, for many of them, their first trip to the dentist.
As the big van started up its generators, the children jumped back and any remaining smiles soon disappeared. It was soon time for the first patient, little Navijot, one of the smallest, cutest little girls was first, instant tears built up in her eyes and luckily Malene was nearby to take her hand. In fact Malene had her work cut out of her as she stayed with each child, holding their hands and comforting them. I stayed well clear, just in case they wanted me in the chair! It was surprising how many children needed fillings and cleaning work done. For £50, Malene and I felt that this mobile dentist was a wonderful expenditure, but the orphanage needs donations to keep it going. They’re hoping to raise £100 so they can use this service twice a year.
If the children weren’t too happy about the dentist on Monday, then they would surely be happy about Tuesday’s plans. A couple of pastors from Bedford (England) arrived at the school and together with their church they had raised some money to take all the children to McDonalds. Arguably, you could say that £200 could have been used a little more wisely, but the children were very excited, as were Malene and I at the thought of a Big Mac! 3 mini buses were arranged to take us all (60) and even though each bus had a maximum capacity of just 10, we all squeezed in. With the small ones sat on laps and a total disregard for any safety, we took a couple of brave pills and set off. The closest McDonalds was 1 hour away, however, at the rate our driver was traveling at, I often wondered if we would make it at all.
After our off-road, cow dodging, pedestrian swerving, 1 hour ordeal, we saw the golden arches. The level of excitement went up 10 fold as we lined the children up outside and took photos with the McDonald clown. A space was set-aside for us inside and we just about crammed everyone in – children, teachers, cooks, cleaners, pastors, bus drivers and us! Unfortunately, there was no Big Mac on the menu, in fact, no beef at all, just chicken burgers or a vegetarian option. To make it simple, everyone had a Happy Meal but for the children it really was a Happy Meal! Malene and I worked hard to serve all the drinks and meals and then afterwards the ice creams. It was a strange feeling being inside a McDonalds in India. Apart from the (limited) menu, it was just like back home, even the toilets were…normal!
Back in the buses, we travelled home. With children asleep on each others shoulders and the sun setting all I could think about was how lucky I felt to be out here…away from McDonalds and fast food, and greed and rudeness. Instead we are surrounded by friendly hospitality, wonderful, loving people who will do anything for you, for nothing in return. Needless to say, I was hungry 10 minutes later…typical McDonalds!
I think now would be a good time to introduce our new guest at the orphanage. His name is Don, a friend of Roger and a very down-to-earth, lovely man. He has been visiting the orphanage for 5 years and is excellent with the children. As a semi retired science teacher, he has a lot of knowledge and experience when it comes to teaching. Together with Don, we are trying to educate the teachers at the school and make their teaching more exciting for both themselves and their children. After school has finished, Don chairs a teachers meeting and over the past couple of days, we have been discussing and sharing what makes a good teacher and techniques of how we can improve. Although Don is only here for another week, Malene and I really think that this is a big opportunity to make some positive changes. We have started using lesson plans and encouraging more activeness in the teachers.
After one of our first ‘teacher meetings’, in the evening there was an incredible thunder storm. Hopefully this was a positive sign that we are doing something good out here! Although we thought the storm wasn’t very close, the cracks of thunder shook our building where we slept and as the electricity flickered on and off, we tried desperately to fall asleep. The next morning, it was apparent that the storm was closer than we first thought. Growing up the wall of our apartment was a large tree that had been hit by lightening. 3 men were desperately chopping at the split trunk that was now lying across the path as Malene and I took a couple of photos, still in disbelief!
On this day, Malene took the girls dancing in a private – no boys allowed class after school. Apparently, the children aren’t allowed to listen to much music here, but it was so clear to see how much they enjoyed themselves. It’s a shame that they’re not really allowed (we found out later) because the sense of euphoria and freedom, let alone the laughter was tremendous. It is a little strange because they all knew the songs that Malene played, from listening to them on mobile phones and even had dance routines for different songs. Still, not our school, not our rules, but maybe one day, this rule regarding music might change, I really hope so!
As Malene held this class, I was off to the local town with Poonam and Baljit to do a light bit of shopping. First things first, a new Indian suit. Nothing too posh, just traditional, which we found in one of the many clothes shops that line the narrow streets. I say ‘found’, what I mean is that we located the material rather than a completed suit. After a while of haggling, we settled on a price and I was measured up. To be perfectly honest, I have no idea what it is that I’m getting, apart from the colour that is. Hopefully they understood “plain and simple” and nothing that will make me look even more out of place! The price for 2 suits, tailor-fitted, about 11 pounds.
As if the dentist and McDonalds and Don’s arrival wasn’t enough for one week, the real excitement came on Saturday, a trip to Wonderland. Again, about an hours drive away, Wonderland is a modern theme park, with roller-coasters, fast food and a water-park. For Malene and I, it was as if we had stepped outside of India and into a westernised city of fun. The children of course, loved every second as we were dragged from ride to ride.
Lunch time came with more burgers. Remember that most of these children had never seen a burger before apart from in books and this week they were on their second! Of course the sun was out and it was beautifully warm, which made the afternoon activity a little more bearable: swimming in the water-park. We all hired shorts and costumes and rushed to get changed. Of course Malene and I and all the teachers got involved as we donned the rather ill fitting outfits and made our way to the cold waters. The main pool was a beach style affair which was perfect for the little ones, especially as it was the first time they had ever been swimming! We all tried out the water slides, rode the waves and even danced in small dancing room with strobe lighting, loud music and showers of water.
All-in-all, it was a fantastic day out for which we thanked Don who had invited and paid for us. The children, exhausted once again, slept on the way home. To be honest, my eyes were also very heavy. We felt the mixture of India and the Western world this week and it really got me thinking. I do miss home, my family, my friends, but I can’t help but feel that we’ve struck gold out here. Although we can’t put our fingers on exactly what it is that is so special, we can both feel it. I’m sorry if this post was all over the place, but that was our weeks events and certainly a week that we won’t forget in a very long time.
For photos from this week, scroll back up a little…
Our travels through Asia 