Today my team was a part of the education group. Most of the kids can be very difficult, because they want to go play with their friends, but there was one little boy that made it totally worth it. His name is Manish, and he is adorable. We got through his division exercises very quickly, seeing as he is a very smart kid. He then had me draw Elmo on his hand. He laughed at my drawing, and then proceeded to draw Elmo on my hand as well. Then he told me he was going to draw me. Every few seconds he would look up at me, and then continue drawing me. For a third grader, it was pretty good. He gave me a huge hug after we were done with the session, and ran off. It really warmed my heart. He is by far my favorite kid here. Nagaraj is one of the more athletic kids, and he kicked my butt in soccer AND basketball today. Each Thursday is talent day, which is where you teach the kids how to do something cool. Today was Roger's day and he taught the kids how to make duct tape wallets, which is ironic because my talent will be teaching them how to make bracelets out of duct tape
Thursday, August 18, 2011
August 17th
Sorry about all of the disorganized blogging thats been occurring. Stuff has been super hectic in the Elephant House lately. But anyways..
There are three groups: Cobra, Scorpion, and Shatki. Every day, each group is assigned a different task. The three tasks are: Medic, Education, and Construction. Being a part of the medic task force consists of going into the leprosy colonies and performing health care. This care includes taking their blood pressure, changing their bandages, washing their ulcers, clipping their nails, and take measurements for the special shoes that they have to wear so that they are able to walk efficiently. This work is extremely rewarding due to the fact that you know that you are making a difference. Construction is different in each session depending on what needs to be done. For example, Session Four constructed septic tanks and bathrooms throughout the eight colonies that the volunteers are actually involved in. This session however has mainly been trash duty. This work is extremely tedious, and your spirits are never very high considering the fact that you know that within the next week just as much trash will have been accumulated in the area that you just spent a grueling two hours picking up. The education team goes into the school (which consists of the children of leprosy patients that live here on Rising Star campus), and helps tutor the kids. The children are very intelligent, and they completely outsmart me when it comes to math. We leave at 9 am every morning to go out and perform whatever tasks have been assigned to our team/group. We usually get back to the Elephant House at 2 pm. We then have a two and a half hour break to do as we please. At 4:30 we go over to the hostel for play time with the children. We usually have a soccer game, with the teams consisting of the volunteers vs the kids. All of the kids here are extremely athletic. Play time goes until 6, which is when we return home for dinner. Dinner is always the same; red rice and currie. I love it though, mainly because the currie is very spicy. We eat on the roof as the sun sets, and we have a tradition of sharing your high and low for the day. Since everyday is so amazing, our lows are usually the same: It was hot today. We usually finish up with dinner and have all the dishes washed by 7, and then at 7:30 we head over to the hostel for family time. This is when we just hang out inside with the kids and read stories, play games, or just talk. Then at 9 we go home and just hang out until we eventually decide to go to sleep. The only two animals around here that are friendly are Monica the dog and Lola the sheep goat. Monica, along with almost all other dogs around here, has ear infections and therefore whines when you touch them. Lola basically just walks around eating all the time, but allows for people to go up to her and pet her. By the way, a sheep goat is a goat that looks like a sheep. Its a Rising Star thing.
Tonight we had a dance party. We played lame pop music until about 11 and everyone danced like fools. Honestly, no one here can dance, but that doesn't mean that we didn't have fun. Everyone here is very energetic, and they are all really nice people. It hasn't been very long, but I already know that I have changed. Being here, around all this poverty, and all this joy just goes to show that money and materialistic items may provide comfort, but genuine happiness lies in that of having people around you that care about you, and being able to see the good in every situation you find yourself placed in.
There are three groups: Cobra, Scorpion, and Shatki. Every day, each group is assigned a different task. The three tasks are: Medic, Education, and Construction. Being a part of the medic task force consists of going into the leprosy colonies and performing health care. This care includes taking their blood pressure, changing their bandages, washing their ulcers, clipping their nails, and take measurements for the special shoes that they have to wear so that they are able to walk efficiently. This work is extremely rewarding due to the fact that you know that you are making a difference. Construction is different in each session depending on what needs to be done. For example, Session Four constructed septic tanks and bathrooms throughout the eight colonies that the volunteers are actually involved in. This session however has mainly been trash duty. This work is extremely tedious, and your spirits are never very high considering the fact that you know that within the next week just as much trash will have been accumulated in the area that you just spent a grueling two hours picking up. The education team goes into the school (which consists of the children of leprosy patients that live here on Rising Star campus), and helps tutor the kids. The children are very intelligent, and they completely outsmart me when it comes to math. We leave at 9 am every morning to go out and perform whatever tasks have been assigned to our team/group. We usually get back to the Elephant House at 2 pm. We then have a two and a half hour break to do as we please. At 4:30 we go over to the hostel for play time with the children. We usually have a soccer game, with the teams consisting of the volunteers vs the kids. All of the kids here are extremely athletic. Play time goes until 6, which is when we return home for dinner. Dinner is always the same; red rice and currie. I love it though, mainly because the currie is very spicy. We eat on the roof as the sun sets, and we have a tradition of sharing your high and low for the day. Since everyday is so amazing, our lows are usually the same: It was hot today. We usually finish up with dinner and have all the dishes washed by 7, and then at 7:30 we head over to the hostel for family time. This is when we just hang out inside with the kids and read stories, play games, or just talk. Then at 9 we go home and just hang out until we eventually decide to go to sleep. The only two animals around here that are friendly are Monica the dog and Lola the sheep goat. Monica, along with almost all other dogs around here, has ear infections and therefore whines when you touch them. Lola basically just walks around eating all the time, but allows for people to go up to her and pet her. By the way, a sheep goat is a goat that looks like a sheep. Its a Rising Star thing.
Tonight we had a dance party. We played lame pop music until about 11 and everyone danced like fools. Honestly, no one here can dance, but that doesn't mean that we didn't have fun. Everyone here is very energetic, and they are all really nice people. It hasn't been very long, but I already know that I have changed. Being here, around all this poverty, and all this joy just goes to show that money and materialistic items may provide comfort, but genuine happiness lies in that of having people around you that care about you, and being able to see the good in every situation you find yourself placed in.
India
Today we woke up and went to an LDS church located just outside of Chennai. I luckily dozed off for the first couple of hours. Afterwards we ventured to the Rising Star campus, which is beyond words. Its beautiful here. I share a room with five other guys, and their ages range from 20 to 44. Sunday I fell asleep at 4 pm and woke up Monday morning at 8:30 am. It definitely helped me get over my jet lag. We then went over to see the kid's school to see their assembly, which is in accordance with India gaining independence from Great Britain. There are tons of geckos and frogs around, and catching them is really cool.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Day One
Well folks the trip sure was long.. We went from SLC, UT to Chicago, IL, from there to Dehli which was a 13 hour flight, and from Dehli to Chennai. All together about thirty hours in the air, and quite a few hours stuck in different airports. We lost our luggage and are hoping to have it be returned to us fairly soon. Fortunately none of our valuables or necessities were in them. The first thing you notice is the heat. We arrived in Chennai at about 12 AM mountain time, and it was dark out. It still is swelteringly hot, and extremely humid. The next thing that you will notice is the smell. I honestly have no idea how to describe it. Then, at the same time, the crazy traffic and architecture hits you all at once. The cab drivers swerve in and out of traffic, are rarely even in a designated lane, and slam on the breaks and honk their horns about every five seconds. There is no noticeable order to the chaos, but somehow they navigate the crazy driving conditions like pros, which is pretty much what they are. The cars themselves are quite unique as well. The only manufactures that I have recognized so far are Toyotas, Hyundais, and Suzukis, however the models of the cars themselves are completely alien to me. The black and white cabs truly are something to marvel at, for they look like some movie prop that came out of old-school london. There are also scores of people that walk out into traffic without any hesitation at all, and miraculously they remain unharmed and unfazed. The architecture is truly an amazing sight to behold. It ranges in everything from elaborate hotels to mere slums, and features billboards advertising curd, IPhone 4s, and anything else under the sun. Unfortunately I did not sleep whatsoever on the plane ride, and have been up for a whopping thirty one hours. My eyes burn, my head is spinning, and im stuck in zombie mode. Tomorrow we will be traveling the the Rising Star campus, and hopefully I will be able to upload some pictures.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
SURPRISE
Turns out my flight leaves tomorrow morning. Look forward to my first post from India tomorrow night!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
In Three Days Time..
Well folks this is the home stretch for me. I leave for India this coming Friday (August 12th). I am extremely excitied for the experiences I will be introduced to. Its a completely different world, or at least I have been told, and in all honesty I am fairly nervous. A.K.A. I have been freaking out all week. I have all the supplies that I need for this trip, I am up to date on my shots, and I am taking medication for Malaria. Be sure to check my blog as often as possible, because I am going to try to update it with pictures, and daily journal updates. Thank you to all who donated, without you my dream would not about to become a reality. Thank you also to anyone and everyone that is supporting me.
-Alex
-Alex
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
India #2
I have some unfortunate news. Due to some problems with my aunt's work (Rising Star Outreach), my trip has now been postponed to late August. I will still be going for three weeks and the money due for the Rising Star Outreach program still totals $1,750. I was not aware of this, but I need a lot more than this amount. The $1,750 only covers the expenses due for the organization. I also need to raise money for a round trip plane ticket to India. I have not researched prices yet, but I will include a ball park figure next time I update my blog. Thank you so much for supporting me. Words truly cannot express the grattiude I feel for all of you.
Sincerely,
Alex Peacock
Sincerely,
Alex Peacock
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)