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We arrived yesterday at the volunteer camp in Goa, and as we rocked up we firstly were told we were a day late and they were expecting us yesterday. That wasn't awkward at all!! But he said it was no problem, and show us too our dorm! He said we could have lunch and it had just been served! We had just literally eaten but made our way to the dining area where 15 or so other people were already seated and eating! It was that real awkward entry like 'Hi I'm Kelly, (waved) Im from Australia.' We were kindly seated and told by most others that has also only just arrived that day, were we really late or they were late too?
After we unpacked a bit and set up dorm, Lea or roomy already arrived the day before? She was settled in nicely! We were shown around the camp with another girl from Manchester, Leeanne is her name! And befriended her immediately! We went and saw some 'optional' afternoon projects and we then ended up spending the afternoon in the smoking/drinking corner! She bought a bottle of JD and they also sell jumbo kingfisher beers, so we had a fair few of those! By the end of the night we had most of the camp around us & just chatted and drank!
The next day we went and saw the 'compulsory' projects, there were about 4 different areas to volunteer in! Tiny rooms located in the slums, otherwise there was the orphanage which I chose to do! That orphanage has been running for 40 years started off being just a ladies home! Now it's a home to many children! I also opted to use my afternoons effectively to make this experience really worth it, the program that really caught my attention most is called 'Womans Empowerment' it's located in a migrated village called Monte Hill it's in the slums and it's held in one of the participating ladies home!! It's really quite emotionally moving, and the good thing about this particular project is the women are responsive and want to learn. They only get 1hr 15 mins because the rest of they day they are cleaning homes and caring for families. It's like a whole other world there! They never really leave it... Rach and I are spending some extra time preparing activity books and basic Heath ideas for the women as volunteers for the past month haven't opted this group! As our main project we are at the orphanage this week I spent with the babies, trying to educate babies not so easy! But at least trying to gain their attention and put a smile of their face is enough. Although next week we are teaching the middle age group....
Yesterday was Rachs 23rd birthday, the age was hard for her to accept but she slipped into nicely! The Idex camp kindly made a card for her and bought a cake and we all sung, then traditionally they would have shoved the whole cake in her face but they kindly placed it in her mouth and wiped it on her cheek!! But did experience an awesome Italian restaurant so delicious... Real pizza & pasta
One of the hardest things being in this camp, is sharing a room!! Trying to coordinate 3 girls never is easy but look were dealing with it!! We almost voluntarily gave our spare top bunk to Leeanne who has been our pal since being here! But in a nice way luckily didn't. Problem girl, scared of this, hate that, don't like this, don't wanna do that, too hot kinda person!! Makes me run away from her presence occasionally! Anyways off too a Bollywood film now!!
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