29 things I learnt in India

1) Don't EVER underestimate a person based on their appearance, how they talk or what it says on a piece of paper. 

2) 4pm is chai time. Everything else can wait.

3) Modern, non-denominational church is a massive culture shock.

4) Let the little things slide. There are bigger things to worry about.

5) Sometimes it's okay to just read a book, listen to music or play a game. It's okay to take a break.

6) I REALLY cannot learn languages.

7) Quick reactions prevent little fingernails breaking skin.

8) Don't wait until later, time flies when you're having fun.

9) Flour and water makes a surprisingly effective glue.

10) Just because something is done differently, doesn't mean either way is wrong.

11) Google does not have all the answers. Most, but not all.

12) Doctors get things wrong.

13) Eating is very challenging if you're blind.

14) Foreigners get charged 3x as much for autos.

15) Foreigners get charged 20x as much for tourist attractions.

16) Patience.

17) Perseverance.

18) Doing what's best for a child can be the opposite of what you want to do to help them.

19) Keep smiling, even when things don't go your way. 

20) Food is a wonderful motivator.

21) Going home is much harder than leaving home.

22) You don't need to talk to be funny.

23) Change your expectations based on what you see around you.

24) Prioritise. Different people need different things.

25) Playing, talking and napping are important parts of life.

26) There is nothing that cannot be done with a cardboard box and some paint.

27) Beauty can be found in the most unexpected places

28) Friends do not have to solve each other's problems, listening is enough.

29) You cannot solve all the worlds problems.  There will always be more work to be done. 

'Lo alecha hamlacha ligmor, v’lo atah ben chorin l’hivatel mimena'

'You are not expected to complete the task, but neither are you free to avoid it' (Rabbi Tarfon, Pirkei Avot 2:21) 

What can you do?

Many of you who read my blog tell me you love what I'm doing and wish you could help. With my time in India coming to a close I thought I'd give you a list of ways you can help.

1) sponsor a child's general needs. This money is used for paying for food, their ayah's wages, doctors appointments and other necessities. There are many children, particularly the older kids, without sponsors. Please contact me for more information.

2) sponsor a child's education. At SCH they aim to give the children the best education possible. You can help by paying a child's school fees. There are many children in need of school sponsors and I'll be happy to give you more information.

3) Make a one time donation to the general fund, for when unexpected fees come up

4) Make a one time donation to the urgent medical fund. Often a child will be rushed to hospital with no warning. We need to be able to pay for medical care in instances where there is no time to fundraise. 

5) Purchase an item off my wishlist for jubilee home. I may not be able to use it but the next volunteer who comes will. I'd love to get the bean bags ordered for the children with CP. Most have wheelchairs but cannot sit in them for long periods due to having spent many years lying on the floor. The bean bags would be more comfortable for them when they cannot stand being in their chairs. 

The link is http://www.amazon.in/gp/registry/wishlist/399YMJ4QVV2U1/ref=topnav_lists_1

6) Purchase something off baby Cadens wishlist. Caden is a very special baby with epidermolysis bullosa, or Butterfly syndrome. It means that any friction on his skin causes huge painful blisters. As you can imagine, he needs a lot of specialised care. 

The link is http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/17DB1JQVEB23V/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go_o? 

These things are not available in India so please send them to 567 Siloam Rod. Magee, MS 39111. A future volunteer will bring them when they come. The most important thing is the tubifast but everything on there is really important for his health and to improve his quality of life.

7) Share! I know many of you cannot afford to do these things but you can share it with people who can. The more people who know, the better it is for the kids.

How can you say no to these kids? 

My first day of school

Ok, so not my first day at school ever, but my first day in an Indian school. Last Wednesday I had the opportunity to visit the special needs school where some of the SCH kids go, including Molly and Lilly. It was a really fascinating day and I enjoyed the opportunity to see what some of our children are learning and how they are taught. Some aspects of the school were fantastic. The verbal children are recieving a good education, the therapists seem to be excellent and the teachers were kind and really try their best with the kids. I wasn't happy with the quality of the education for the handful of very bright but non verbal children but that's a post for another day. 

During my visit to the school was the first time I have really been hit with the unfairness of what these children are living with. In the UK or America these children would all get an education. They would be in mainstream school, a special needs school where, most likely, there educational needs would be met,  or they would be homeschooled. I know that parents of special needs kids at home can spend long hours advocating for their child, fighting for what they deserve. The children here don't have that. They have amazing foster parents but they do not have the time to spend many hours advocating for their children to have access to things that may not even exist in India. It's just not fair.

I know that what they receive at SCH is a million times better than what they would get at the government orphanage. I am reminded of that every day when Tricia, who didn't talk, hug or make eye contact when she arrived a few months ago, yells 'good morning sister!' And throws her arms round my waist. I am reminded when Molly uses her communication book to tell me she feels sick or when we take the children to the park to play. It is a massive improvement but it's far from a perfect situation. 

I have seen the fantastic work of special needs schools in the UK. Children who here are deemed 'unteachable' here learn to read and write at home. My hope, for all these children, is that somehow they can receive the education they deserve.