Due to lack of internet access, work and power cuts I have been unable to post an entry till now....

SO much to say, very little time to say it in! We are into week 3 going into week 4 next week.

School/Teaching

We began our first day of school by being introduced to ALL 3 teachers of the entire school, the principle, English and maths teacher of Jodha Government School. I can not believe that a school can survive with only 2 teaching teachers!!! In UK just for day care alone we have a minimum of 6 teachers. After trying to get over the shook of the lack of teachers in the school, we went to see our class and students. I have the best students ever Class 3 & 4 they are very cheeky, naughty, clever, fun, talented bunch of kids, with great individual personalities.

So on our first day we were thrown straight into the deep end and teaching began after being introduced to the children due to the lack of teachers at the school. As I had not prepared a lesson plan I was way out my depth. The children ran circles around us, until my Hindi started flowing out my mouth. Lol, was quite funny to see them stop in their tracks and look up at me, their little faces really confused as to why or how I could speak the Hindi language. There instant reaction was to try to wind me up and see how far we (me and Chido - other volunteer teaching with me) could take their ignorant behavior. We diffused the situation pretty well, by playing an alphabet game to get an understanding of their English speaking ability. We were quite impressed that they knew the whole alphabet from A - Z. The morning was very challenging, teaching English to class of 18 children aged 6 - 11, who don't really want to learn or be in school was difficult. I vowed to be well prepared for the rest of the project so the kids could get the best out of us.

Three weeks into our project and we are already seeing an improvement in the children's pronunciation and reading abilities in English and Maths. We began by teaching the children Phonetics of the alphabet. They struggle with F, C, V, W, T , Q . Working progress! As we teach class 3 and 4 together in one room, there abilities are at different levels. From our observations we decided to make the teaching and learning process exciting, fun, interactive and personal. We have found that games, rhymes, songs, and fun resources work well in helping the children stay focused and retaining the information being learnt. The topics we have covered so far are sentence construction, visual reading and describing words, numbers 1 - 100 and simple sums. I recently realized that a few of our children are dyslexic and there is no system or test to spot this. I am quite confused as to how go about this situation….any suggestions would be great.

Although we have our good and bad days teaching the children, it can get very disheartening when the system does not help support the teachers in the rural areas or the teachers themselves are not motivated to teach the children, but yet use school as a regimented disciplinary place. Its is also difficult trying to get the few children who are really not interested in school and would rather play truant or be in day care with there little siblings, at home or working to make money for their families. The social mentality of the people within the rural parts of India will be hard to change…BUT CHANGE GONA COME! Soon!

Street Play and Beautification Projects.

We have started on two other projects which are going well. The first is a street play on the topic of Education, I am a customer within the play… which will all be done in Hindi - great challenge looking forward to rehearsals with the kids and touring our play around to the other schools around the other villages.

The second project is beautification of the Jodha Day Care Centre. We have given the room a good two coats of potent white wash this week. I believe another will be needed before we start getting creative with our oil paints and paint brushes. Shall try to incorporate fun visuals on the walls. Will try to update with pics soon.

Indian Connection

This weekend has been magical and very spiritual - Did a Camel Safari exertion to the deep heart of the Thar Desert - to camp out on the Sam Sand Dunes. 16 of us volunteers went to a Jain temple, the Rajput Maharaja's burial grounds, before trekking by Camel to watch the sunset at the Sand Dunes - Breath taking! Chilled out , had traditional Rajasthani Thali dinner, a camp fire was lit and then we had a private traditional folk dance and music session and then star gazing and sleeping/open camping under the stars - which was magical. I feel so connected with India, the people, the Rajputs / ancestors, the music and the soil. This experience will stay with me forever - A dream come true! Words can not describe the beauty and feeling we all experienced.

Ok shall try to update soon…with the development issues India (especially rural India) are facing.

Love , Peace and Happiness.

Gita D