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Day started off with an early start with a short climb to the top of the water tower. Sarah, Gaynor, Dawn, Claire, Emily, Ellen and Michelle set off for the climb. Everybody made it to the top (but Michelle chickened out!) For some beautiful views and photo opportunities at the top.
At breakfast the `egg option` was cheese omelette. After breakfast we headed out of Sangam on a mini bus to visit one of their Community. partners. The organisation was called Maher which translates
as Mothers Home. We were greeted at Maher by their president and given an introduction to the organisation and their work in the community. The organisation exsits as a home for sharing and caring for women and children in distress. We had a tour round their houses where 5 adults and 25 children lived. They lived in a single room with a kitchen and bathroom. What we could consider as inhumain living conditions, they accepted with gratitude as a refuge from their hardships.
The children sang a welcome song in english and we were welcomed into their home. The women then made a buffet lunch which was a generous gesture considering the very little they had. They had chips which lyndsey ate!
Back at Sangam we then were introduced to the United Nations millennium development goals. We watcec a video which explained the goals and we then disussed how these are being adressed at Maher.
Then... the afternoon took a huge turn
THE TAILOR ARRIVED WITH OUR GOODIES
Overnight the tailor had managed to turn around 35 Sari's and Punjab's. We tried them all on and and did a fashion show. Sarah Lemon and Claire thought their punjab tops were a little on the snug side or a little too large until they realised they were wearing each others! Sarah can breathe again!
Then our india night started with a sari tying lesson where we all tied ourselves in knots! Then we all were invited to have mehendi on our hand andcreated our own rangoli pattern to denote our seating place. We were invited to a Marhharashi Dinner. We sat on the floor, began with an indian prayer, ate off a banana plate and ate with our fingers. Next time you eat rice, try eating it with you right hand!
After dinner we had a lesson from the volunteers in Dandiya Dancing (basically morris dancing without the bells or rhythm). Some of us decided to go for a moonlit swim in the open air swimming pool. Even Lyndsey and olivia ventured in! Michelle wrestled with Eric (dont worry hes an inflaatable shark!)
Sarah B, Lynne and Claire wandered to the shop and on the way passed some sleeping cattle in the road.
Its 11:55pm and the Sangam stick man is doing his rounds, its time to go to bed.
We will try to upload an album of photographs
The Sangam Team xx
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