Beyond Boundaries in India!

Welcome to India! 

We have arrived! After numerous pre-departure workshops in London beginning in April, our Beyond Boundaries project has kicked off in Udaipur, India. Alongside five members of staff, eight young people aged 13-16 from the London Borough of Hackney, have begun teaching English and Maths on Basti Rams project, working in schools in rural Rajasthan.

Some of the team before departing from London to Mumbai

Our Journey

This trip is an incredibly life changing experience and our young people are embracing India 100%. Nerves and excitement filled the air as we met at Hackney Town Hall to begin our journey. Travelling via London Heathrow and Mumbai (India), it was evident to see the 30 hour journey taking its toll, on both staff and students. However, reaching our beautiful house in rural Udaipur soon had the mood buzzing once more. We were greeting by our lovely gound staff (Pankaj and Himanshu), as well as a warm welcome from our talented cook Meena Ji.

Meena Ji - our lovely, talented cook

Despite the tiredness and jet lag, we spent the evening relaxing and getting to know our home for the next two weeks. The following morning we received an informative orientation, detailing some basic need-to-knows about India, as well as cultural considerations and differences we may experiences.

Following on from this, our amazing young people were taken to visit to the school and destitute boys home they with be teaching in. The schools Basti Ram work within are Government schools, and the young people are expended to teach between 7-10 children. The destitute boys home houses up to 100 boys up to the age of 18 - visiting here, our young people enjoyed playing cricket and conversing with the young men at the home. The differences between our schools in the UK and here are clearly evident; this activity was incredibly humbling and enjoyable.

The children at school, as well as at the boys home, were so welcoming, running after us shouting 'didi, didi' which is 'sister' in Hindi. We were kindly invited into local villagers home. She was so proud to show us around and our young people were very intrigued to have a look. Although we were two days in, the behaviour our young people had demonstrated has been admirable; respectful, inquisitive and hard working.

The team in one of the classrooms at school

We had our first lesson planning session which went well - despite some nerves due to this being their first teaching experience, the young people were willing to cooperate and our staff have been incredibly supportive. Working in pairs with one mentor, the groups planned a lesson for their given grade (first, second, fourth or fifth) and prepared their resources. Worksheets were made and resources were utilised in a lovely, creative manner. Following this, each pair executed a mock lesson to our group; it would be fair to say staff were very proud!

In the recreation room

The knowledge our young people have gained in such a short space of time has been beautiful to witness. We are sure they will continue to grow and flourish.

View from the volunteer house

The blog will continue to be updated on their progress at school, the boys home, as well as their travels around Udaipur.
I hope you enjoyed this post, thank you for reading!

Sumeet Dhamu
Deputy Project Leader (Beyond Boundaries)

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