One of the best days :)

Feb. 14.2013

Today I had one of the best days I have ever had during my field placement.  I had the opportunity to visit a children’s school. Father Saby took me there from Karunai Illam  (Home of Compassion) since his brother Francis is the principal there. It is a school that has children spanning the age of two and a half to 6^th standard. They hope to expand to 12^th standard (age 17) in the coming years. There is currently construction of another building for them to expand. When I arrived in the first of their two buildings I was greeted by the students. One building holds the younger students (two and a half to four or so) and another separate building holds students from 1^st standard to 6^th standard.  I was given a formal welcome in the building which held the younger students. Two were selected to come up to the front and welcome me with a little memorized speech on behalf of the community. They also handed me a bouquet of flowers. Afterwards I taught them the action songs  “Jesus Loves Me” and “Father Abraham”. During this assembly prizes were also given to one boy in particular who had done well in a certain competition. Competitions no matter what year of schooling are HUGE here.

After this greeting ceremony, I went with Francis to the other building where the children start around first standard and go through sixth standard. I was ushered into his office where I sat and wrote out the lyrics to the songs I had taught the children in the other school for the teachers. (They had asked for the lyrics in particular to “Father Abraham”) There I met the dance teacher who comes on Thursdays to teach dance to some of the students. Her name was Sherin and we talked for a while about her family, education in dance, and her life. She went to dance school after her original schooling and proceeded to get her degree in dance. After talking with her I got the chance to have lunch with her the rest of the teachers. I ate their Indian food and it was probably some of the spiciest food I have ever tasted since I came here. One woman joked that I was drinking more water than actually eating the food.

After lunch I visited my first classroom where I introduced myself and taught them some songs. The teacher had her students call me Mamam. I taught the song “Jesus Loves Me” to them and “Every Move I Make”. In later classes I taught “The Princess Pat”. They really liked doing the “rigabamboo” part in the princess pat song and found it funny. Sometimes I would start with that part of the song to get them “loosened up” they giggled and smiled as they felt funny when first doing the motions. Also in the song “Every Move I Make” I did the Pharaoh motion for the na,na,na part back and forth across the room which they also really enjoyed. They also enjoyed when I turned around when I sang “ oh my God this love, how can it be?!”

I also gave them the opportunity to ask me questions about the U.S. and myself. The second class I visited was so eager to ask me questions. I had to take a moment to explain that I would answer all of them, but they had to ask me each one at a time. In later classes, I would ask if the children had pets (dogs, cats etc.) and they would each then raise their hands if they had one. They were eager to make a connection with me in similar interests. At times students would volunteer to sing songs for me. Among the songs sung for me were Jingle Bells, O Come All Ye Faithful and a version of Let It Shine. Before I left each classroom I made sure that I had a picture of the students in each classroom. The last classroom I visited some of the girls really showed their interest in me. They asked me if I was going to come back and I told them I didn’t know. They gave me a picture they had colored in and an origami box made from a scrap piece of paper. I was touched.

After meeting the students I was ushered over to Francis’ office and was given tea and snacks. I drink lots and lots of tea here! It’s so good. It’s a mixture of quite a bit of milk, tea and lot and lots of sugar. J I don’t think I go a day without drinking some sort of tea or coffee here. Indians like to have mid-afternoon tea and snacks. Not all of the Indian students get them in their classes but because we are guests we are often given tea in our classes.

The snacks included the fried rosette like cookies and some fruit bread like balls of sweets that originate in Kerala. I appreciated the gesture and through our conversation I learned more about the school and how it works. It seemed similar to that of the idea of Rivendell. Where students are taught to build character as well as do well in school. Teachers care for the students and are invested in their learning as well as work the parents to help their kids. It’s in it’s 3^rd year of running and is slowly yet gradually trying to expand. Teachers at the end of the day get together to talk about what went wrong and how the school can be improved. Francis was gracious enough to drop me off near my apartment.  On the way there he asked me about what I saw they could improve. I told him perhaps he could use more color on the walls and maybe use a buddy system in the classroom.

I really enjoyed my time there and I began to think about what it would be like if I became a teacher—even perhaps a teacher in India. I’m sure that would be very difficult. I’ll leave that in God’s hands for now.

I think this was the class that asked a lot of questions. :)

The girls in this picture gave me the gifts.

Also please note the polka dot red curta I'm wearing. Since it was Valentines Day I just had to wear red. I thought it would remind the kids of a ladybug. In middle school our devotions group with Mrs. King was also called ladybug devotions. Finally, the polka dots remind me of my mom. :)

Quick Update

Hey! So I haven't  had internet for the past few days here. I am writing via an internet cafe. I had a wonderful time yesterday at my placement where I got to meet and teach "action songs" as they call them here to the kids. I taught  them, Jesus love me, Every move I make and the princess patt which they all really enjoyed. I had a lot of fun and if I can get a chance to go back I will. On Ash Wednesday I went to an Indian Ash Wednesday service and took Indian communion for the first time. On valentines day  we ate home-made cake that Abby baked and watched She's The Man. Well, I g2g but just wanted to give you a quick update on my life. I hope everyone is well back home. Love, Prov.

A New Day

Today has been kind of a big day for me... guess what, I went to lunch alone! Everyone headed back to our apartment complex and I chose to stay and have lunch with the girls in the mess. We have gone to their dorms the past three Tuesdays from 7-8/9pm and have developed some relationships with the girls. I was hoping to have more interaction with them. Thankfully, I was able to sit with one of the girls and her friends whom I had seen that morning. Being the only white person trying to stuff rice into my mouth (with my hands), I ended up being the last person to finish. When I realized I was making her wait I tried to speed up but she told me to take my time. During our meal she invited me to attend the chapel service that happens on campus. So after washing my plate, I followed her over as some of her other friends met up with us. 

The chapel service was in Tamil but I still felt that it was important to be there. After we had taken our shoes off outside (I do this everywhere I go) we walked right into the service crossing in front of the guys and to the girls side taking up the front row. We sat down first to pray on our knees/legs and then stood for singing. We were obviously late but this meant nothing... being late here is perfectly fine for things such as this... here we can always blame IST (or India Stretch Time)

 Sam Sir (a professor) lead the worship and a Tamil sermon was given. Although I couldn't understand the language it was encouraging to hear the fervor with which they sung and what was spoken to them. I was able to catch part of the Lord's Prayer at the end being said in Tamil.  

When I left a girl I had met last night tapped me and said hello. My peer mentor Thomas also caught me as I was putting my shoes back on afterwards.

I have to finish up a paper and then go to class from 5-7pm. It's only 2:50pm now. To print papers here we have to go to a shop and pay for the printing which can be annoying at times.  I hope all of you are sleeping well at this point. 

So today I happened to leave my computer and some school supplies back in the ISP office that is now locked up. I am typing from my friend Jason's computer. I realized that my computer and the internet is such a lifeline for me back to the U.S. and the communication I have with other people there. After describing this to a friend the word "lifeline" struck me because it made me truly come back to where I do find life and what I depend on. So in the coming days I hope to explore this idea more as I become aware of the new and unfamiliar challenges that India brings. May you also look to where you find your "lifeline" as you walk this journey called life.

A Knife to my Heart

I was on a bus with the other ISPers and Karmin on the way to Aurus Purum. We were going to go fabiric shopping. I was thinking about how I finally was feeling ok. I was getting my groundings here and it was becoming more and more like home. I was sitting next to the windo on the bus and was looking out of it as cars and motorcycles wizzed  past. We were on a hwy and I was looking down under one of the underpasses when a scene caught my eye.

There was a man with an object in his hand and a figure crumpled up on the ground flinching as the man above her struck her. Not only was I taking in this scene but a child as well was near watching the incident happen before their eyes. Before I could take in the scene completely with utmost detail the bus moved on to its destination. However, this did not keep a knife from stabbing my heart. I felt the pain of the woman- a woman I had merely seen for seconds. There was a pit in my stomach and any sort of hunger I had had a minute before was utterly gone. I have heard of men beating women but to see it with my eyes was another thing. I thought that this scene henceforth would cloud my day.

However, when we got to Aurus Puram and the fabric shop I completely forgot about it as I tried to pick out a fabric for myself--which took forever. There were so many different types and colors. I finally settled on a purple silk fabric that cost quite a bit but thought “hey I’m in India when else am I going to get a chance to buy such beautiful fabric?”

After getting my fabric and we walked out of the store my thoughts went back to the scene. I became angry at myself for forgetting what I had seen in light of trying to pick out my fabric. I think this happens for many people. We see something that breaks our hearts and then we go on with our lives to where we care more about them than the lives of others. We forget to remember the homeless, the abused, and the mentally handicapped and what they have to deal with every day.

While I understand that it is not humanly possible to dwell on all of the horrible things of the world I think we must become more aware of them.  We must then ask the question of what part we play in righting the wrong. What does it look like to live a life that brings hope and light to others? What character can I, can you play in the scene to stop the violence, and disrespect of our fellow brothers and sisters?

Brief Update: Long Day

Today I cooked my first indian curry chicken in my cuisine class and went to my first Hindu temple. There were words carved into the stone on the side of the building dating back to the 2nd century.

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This morning I went running /fast walking with directors wife Hannah. This was so good and something I really needed to do. I think I will be sore tomorrow but it was definitely worth it and helped to relieve some stress. This was one of those times when I was so thankful for excercise. It was just what I needed. I did some stretching after with her so I'm hoping I didn't do too much. So far pretty good. 

We had our first cuisine practical today. I helped make the chicken masala with a dry (more like a paste) chicken marinade and  then we put it in the skillet to cook and added red onions, and a spice mix. This included, fresh ginger (which I learned to peel with a spoon), corriander, tumeric powder, hot peppers, and garlic among other things. There were  two male students in their second year who showed me what to do. All of the students working with us were boys taking culinary arts classes. One was teaching me how to cut with a knife and how to stir the chicken in the pan. Many a time they asked me to test it by wiping my pinky finger across the back of the spoon. They were not a afraid to add a pinch of salt here and there. 

I am noticing more and more that Indian people are very community oriented. For example, when I go to my placement the students all share the water that one of the girls brings. In India, no one puts their lips on the cups. Therefore they all share the same cup of water they they pour into their mouth from above. It definitely saves on dishes :P. 

Also let me say that we got to eat all of the food that we made! So, we had a rice dish with apple pieces, and other nuts, a yogurt pomegranite katai, my chicken, some spiced vegetables, and a sweet curd milk for dessert. It was a nice change from our regular mess meals. 

We got back from the temple all exhausted and then went to a restaurant called "On The Go". I spent $12.42 cents on a full meal. Including a  watermelon drink, a main course of some spicy good-tasting chicken ( which I couldn't finish), rice, naan, and a melted oreo-chocolate tart ( which I also took home).  I was full when we left. As the Indians share things, we all shared food with each other and gave each other tastes of our dishes.