Hackney reflects on their time in India...

The team are incredibly proud of Deborah, Jacqueline, Ruth, Charlie, Keann, Jade and Ryanne, who have all successfully completed their primary school teaching placements! They all gave teaching their best efforts and Charlie (17) reflected 'it was the best part of being here!'. Ryanne (14) described how the experience has 'taught me to co-operate' with people of all ages and backgrounds, as well as improving communication skills by using body language, gestures and facial expressions to communicate with Hindi speaking children. A huge well done to them all!

Deborah, Ryanne & Charlie after a steep climb to the top courtyard, Kumbhalgarh Fort

Upon completion of the their teaching placements, the group made their way deep into the Aravelli Hills to visit the historic Kumbhalgarh Fort. Built during the course of the 15th century, Kumbhalgarh is an impressive structure resting on an Aravelli hilltop. 'As I huffed and puffed my way to the top, the view overtook me', Charlie (17), it was indeed a hike but one well worth making!

Charlie & Jennifer on the rooftop of Kumbhalgarh Fort!

Next stop was Ranakpur Jain Temple. Spectacularly displaying 1444 intricately hand carved pillars, the group were given a tour of the Temple by a Jain Priest. Following tradition, before leaving each individual made a private wish underneath a marble elephant!

The group arriving at Ranakpur Jain Temple

A very peaceful looking Keann in Ranakpur Temple. Ommmm!

Yesterday was spent preparing for a special leaving party in our linked destitute boys home. After a day of making 200 samosas to be shared with the boys, the group visited the boys, shared their home made samosas and played a selection of games with them. 

Busy making 200 samosas in preparation for a party in our linked destitute boys home!

The Hackney young women saying goodbye to the boys!

As the Beyond Boundaries Hackney Project 2013 draws to a close, in between packing, the group met today for some final reflections on their experiences in India. They drew some powerful observations:

'I didn't realise how such little things could make such a difference to the lives of the children. I wanted to change their lives in a big way, but now I think if everyone does the small things then that will equal the big thing. The big difference I was looking for. I've realised that now' .(Charlie, 17)

'I saw what life without education is like. The people here they live in quite ram-shackled buildings, they share one room, all together, whole family. It's made me realise that back home I have the opportunities to get the education which I need to make my life comfortable and to make the people around me comfortable and the value I get from it [education]'.

(Ryanne, 14) 

We are so proud of all the young people's achievements over the past two weeks and the team would like to thank Charlie, Ryanne, Ruth, Keann, Deborah, Jade and Jacqueline for their dedication to the children who attend our linked projects in Rajasthan. We hope stepping outside of their comfort zone has been a rewarding experience and one which will stay with them for many years to come.

We would also like like to thank The London Borough of Hackney staff team for their round the clock passionate hard work with all of the young people and all of the staff on the ground in India for providing a seamless operation. 

Katherine and the Basti Ram team

Thank you for reading my blog and showing your support for Basti Ram. If you would like to find out more about the innovative work we do or how you can get involved please visit www.bastiram.org email bastiram.uk@gmail.com or call +44 (0) 7515 857 865

Hackney in India...the adventure so far!

A huge well done to Keann, Jacqueline, Charlie, Jade, Deborah, Ryanne and Ruth, who have all completed their first week of teaching in a Rajasthani primary school! Each teaching pair taught between 7-10 pupils per grade. The numbers of children attending school at this time of year tends to decrease due to monsoon season; the roads are difficult to navigate and as a consequence pupils can struggle to get to school. 

'Day three of teaching was the best! They learnt everything and were always smiling!' Deborah (14). Deborah and Ruth teaching 3rd grade.

Many of the group members were initially uncertain about how their first ever teaching experience would fair. The young people found lesson planning and making teaching aids a challenge and time consuming without knowing the abilities and understanding of the children in their class. Keann (15) describes, 'at the start of the week I was very scared of how the teaching was going to go. Now I find it very exciting and I'm eager. I found it challenging but now I know the children and their abilities, I find it fun'. 

Keann teaching 2nd grade.

The children who attend Basti Ram's linked projects in Rajasthan never fail to engage those who come to spend time teaching them. 'The children are all so lovely, they appreciate things a lot more than us. But I think they've helped me more than I've helped them with their welcoming atmosphere and smiles' Charlie (17). Each teaching pair has spoken about experiencing the endearing enthusiasm of their pupils, and it is this which motivates each individual through the times when they may be feeling challenged. 

Charlie & Ryanne teaching 4th grade.

As a group the young women have developed in confidence and settled well into the differences of Indian culture to that of their own. They have found their footing with the routine and in living harmoniously with one another. Jennifer, a member of The London Borough of Hackney staff team describes this experience, 'I like to see the progression in the group. We came to India really nervous, not too sure and really concerned that we do the right thing. Even when there's moments the young people have not planned for, they still try. Their confidence has grown and I like that. And, them learning to take constructive criticism in their stride and putting it into positive action. The group has evolved and that's what I love'.

But it hasn't all been work and no play! The group have enjoyed early morning roof top yoga, restaurant dining by Lake Pichola and Bagore-ki-Haveli, a traditional Rajasthani cultural show. After a challenging, exciting and emotional first week the young women from Hackney move into their second week of teaching. Please continue to follow our blog and their progress...

Thank you for reading my blog and showing your support for Basti Ram. If you would like to find out more about the innovative work we do or how you can get involved please visit www.bastiram.org email bastiram.uk@gmail.com or call +44 (0) 7515 857 865

Katherine
Youth Development Officer

Hackney in India...The Beginning!

After months of preparation during a series of pre-departure cultural awareness workshops, seven young women aged 14-17 from the London Borough of Hackney (accompanied by staff) have taken an almighty leap out of their comfort zone and arrived to teach the children that attend Basti Ram's linked projects in the north Indian state of Rajasthan.

Ryanne, Charlie, Keann, Jacqueline, Jade, Deborah and Ruth began their journey on Monday 29th July. Meeting at Hackney Town Hall the atmosphere was one of excitement, anticipation and disbelief that our long-awaited venture had finally arrived! 'I really wasn't sure what to expect seeing as it was a different experience altogether' (Keann, 15). 

We made it!

After a 19 hour journey, the ground staff team welcomed the group onto Indian soil, 'out of our normal into our abnormal!' (Jacqueline, 14), one of the main aims of the project being to broaden young people's horizons. We spent the evening settling into our new home for the next two weeks and acclimatising to our very different environment.

Our first full day spent on the project catapulted us into our busy schedule! We began with a detailed orientation, the purpose of which included raising the groups awareness of the social challenges faced by the communities they would be spending time with and fully-preparing the young women for their teaching placement.

The morning of the 31st of July was spent visiting an isolated, rural and under-privileged Rajasthani village. Basti Ram having worked in a primary school and day-care centre here for a number of years, the group received a heart warming welcome from members of the local community. One friendly villager even invited us into her family house, 'she didn't even know us but she still welcomed us into her home!' (Keann, 15). 

First school visit!

The afternoon was spent in teaching pairs planning their first lesson, to be delivered the following morning. This helped to raise the confidence of those who are understandably experiencing nervous in anticipation of their first ever teaching experience, 'I'm scared but excited. Before we did all the preparation I didn't think I was ready at all but now we've planned the lesson it's quite exciting but I'm still scared!' (Keann, 15).

The final activity of the day was a visit to our linked destitute boys home. Home to up to 100 boys and young men, the group will spend time with them each day after school. For our group, to be given the opportunity to meet local young people of a similar age as themselves helps to increase their world citizenship. It does this by building an awareness of the issues young people living in developing countries face and we hope this will motivate lasting change upon the groups return to the UK. 

Visit to our linked destitute boys home

For Charlie, Keann, Jacqueline, Ruth, Deborah, Jade and Ryanne the first three days of the project, becoming accustomed to a different culture and visiting our linked communities has been an emotional roller-coaster and challenging life experience. 'I'm looking forward to going to the school tomorrow but for me, seeing the orphanage today was a big shock of reality' (Charlie, 17). The next step of our group's powerful and life-changing journey is the challenge of teaching.......

Thank you for reading my blog and showing your support for Basti Ram. If you would like to find out more about the innovative work we do or how you can get involved please visit www.bastiram.org email bastiram.uk@gmail.com or call +44 (0) 7515 857 865

Katherine
Youth Development Officer