Project Manvi - 2009 Journey Blog

2009 Journey Blog

Safe Arrival. 5th July

All have now arrived safely and after a quick lunch most have retired to their rooms for shower and rest. Arriving in India is currently very interesting; everyone is wearing face masks and before immigration there are tables with medics, everyone has to have their temperature taken. Fortunately everyone passed the test and no-one was carted off into quarantine.This evening the new Provincial of Karnataka Jesuits is coming to meet the group and then we will arrange a bollywood movie for those able to stay awake beyond supper time.

Because of political problems in Mysore which have led to a curfew at nightime we have decided to change the programme. Instead of travelling to Mysore we will stay in Bangalore until Tuesday. Tomorrow we shall visit some temples in the morning and in the afternoon go to the National Park where they can go on a lion and tiger safari and maybe ride an elephant. On Tuesday there will be time for shopping before we catch the train in the evening and travel up to Manvi.

15th July

Apologies for the lack of updates but the internet connection has been down.

First of all to reassure you - everyone is well, eating like horses and working well.

We arrived in Manvi a week ago today and were given a wonderful welcome with a programme of dance and music by the children. Unusually the weather was very wet and so for the first couple of days we travelled to Pannur to work on the hospital being built there.

On Sunday we travelled again to Pannur to attend Mass with the villagers and then we split into small groups to spend the day with people in different villages. This was a real eye opener for many in the group. On Sunday night we came back and there was a birthday celebration for those children living in the hostel here who had celebrated their birthday in the previous month. There appeared to be an extraordinary amount but it was explained that many children do not know their birthdate and therefore the government give them an official date which is June 1st. Amy celebrated her birthday with the children and she had a cake and the children bought her a garland of jasmine.

At the weekend the architect came and marked out the footprint of the high school and Pre University (6th form) College. On Monday we had a multi faith ceremony with Christian, Hindu and Islamic blessings of the ground.The group is now busy digging 20 pits of 6ft x 5ft as the start to the foundations (which of course will eventually be much deeper.)They are assisted by the continuing cool weather.

On Friday the group is going to the ancient and holy site of Hampi so that they can have a break. If they haven't contacted you yet we will encourage them to email you from there. I will be going to Mangalore to visit some of our children from Pannur who have gone to finish their primary education there.

16th July.

Last night we had an evaluation of the first part of the visit. All were very positive, they said that the trip had exceeded their expectations , they were very happy with their rooms and the food and they were enjoying the work and the team spirit. When we asked them what else they wanted they asked for more village visits and opportunities to teach - oh and more sweet limes at lunchtime. this is very encouraging. The village visits had obviously deeply affected them and they want to see more of how the children live. there is one village where many of the women are Devadasi; these are women who were taken as temple maidens at puberty but then are left to a life of prostitution. In this particular village the women have organised themselves and are creating a new life for themselves and their children. The students who visited them were very inspired by them and have asked to go back.

Alice and Carl came with me to another village populated by some tribal peoples. The women wear very distinctive costumes which are highly coloured and covered with mirrors. This group has a very unique culture which includes a work ethic where men and women work together, they also have very strong family links. To help preserve the culture there is a plan to build a satellite primary school in the village, so that the children can remain at home and then come to Xavier School for their secondary education.

1st August

Apologies againfor not being able to keep this blog better updated but there was no internet connection for the last ten days or so in Manvi. We are now just arrived in Bangalore and the group are resting before hitting the shops.

We will see you tomorrow at Heathrow. The Kingfisher group at around 18.15 terminal 4 and the BA group at 12.30ish T5. All are well