Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Yup… I pretty much have an ace job! Cheers!!
So far I've spent most of my time in the villages. This has mainly meant that I am with the hygiene educators and village co-ordinators as they speak to the men and women about forming 'self-help groups' (people that come together to open a bank account from which they can take loans if and when needed - it's a form of financial stability) and about drinking clean water, washing hands and using toilets. The people we're talking to don't see the point of all of this at first, because they've never been told before about the linkages between unhygienic behaviour and disease, but when they have been educated they are more keen to use the latrines etc.It's a slow process though, as we're battling with generations of tradition but slowly slowly does it.
I obviously can't speak to people in the villages directly, nor most of my colleagues for that matter, so I'm working very hard on my Hindi.I carry around a little note book with me and write down new vocabulary whenever I pick it up.I'm also trying to figure out tenses and other such things so I'm coming along ok.For saying this is my 9th day in Nowgong I think I'm picking it up well, but it can't come quick enough - I'll soon have to tell people to speak to me only in Hindi so that my learning speeds up.I don't feel too lonely or isolated any more but it's a massive detriment to both work and personal life to not be able to communicate affectively.You'd be surprised how far gestures, head-bobbing and a good smile go though.And my favourite sentence of all - kya aap dheere bol sakte hain - could you speak more slowly.
I'm doing my best to act professionally at all times, which is challenging when there are cute kids running around that I want to play with.But I have been concentrating on my work and trying to figure out how Haritika works and the organisational systems that are in place, which is quite difficult when meetings are held in a language I don't know.However, this morning we had a meeting and I got the gist of what was being said which is obviously a positive sign.
Probably the most difficult part about being in the villages is meeting people for whom there is nothing I can do.I met a mother today who was showing us her ill child.He could barely hold up his head and certainly couldn't walk.He looked about 18 months old so I was shocked to hear he was 4!Apparently he was premature.But there is nothing I can do for him and so I had to walk away - even if I took him to the doctor, they would be unable to pay the medical bills and he would get ill again.It is only good to intervene when your actions are sustainable, otherwise you build up unrealistic expectations and situations that cannot be resolved.I take comfort in knowing that the project I'm working on will provide systems that may help him get better and will stop other children in the future getting ill.
I had another similar experience yesterday when I met the mother of a 4 month old girl who had a fever and diarrhoea.Through my broken Hindi, and the help of a colleague who speaks English quite well, we were able to explain that she needed to be washed water that had been boiled, and that the systems we wanted to build for them would help to prevent her getting ill in the future.By the end of the conversation she said she would support our efforts but she has no decision making power and so we'd have to convince the men in the village.It felt like quite an achievement just to get the message to one person, especially if it helps her daughter recover!
So I have been seeing how we talk to people and the interventions we put in place.I've had lots of ideas about systems I can introduce to the organisation so I'm looking forward to meeting with my boss to discuss these.
Anyhoo, enough about work.The villages are incredible places.I can't really describe what they are like, only to say that they're just like the pictures you see on TV.Little clay houses, sometimes brick, with goats tied up inside and out and wooden furniture etc.Obviously the villages aren't homogenous so some houses are grander than others, with paint on the walls and sometimes even a TV.I've not wanted to stick my camera in people's faces too much as I'm trying to detract as much attention from myself as possible and I don't want to come across as a tourist.At the end of the day, it is only these people's way of life, and I'm sure I'd find it slightly odd if someone came to my flat and stood awed with a camera.I have managed to sneak a few piccies though so I'll put them up ASAP.Suffice to say, I am surrounded by beauty every day and it is easy to realise why I came here when I'm taking lunch under a big tree with magnificent views to take pleasure in.Also, the people in the villages are very kind and welcoming.I sometimes wonder if they're taking offence at us tramping into their village unannounced and walking into their homes without invitation to look at the latrine they're building.It seems though that this type of behaviour is normal and expected and I'm being too British in thinking that maybe we should knock.I'll ask my boss but I'm sure he'll tell me that this is how things work in the villages so it's all fine.
I've been asked what rural England is like and is it like rural India but I said it isn't much different from urban England.I said we had it easy with 24/7 reliable electricity and running drinking water at our fingertips.I don't think I'll morally be able to enjoy a bath again after seeing how to survive on so little water.Two different women in the villages have told me that they will come home with me when I go back to London.I told them they wouldn't like it but they wittingly responded by asking if I like India.When I answer yes, they say 'well then I will like England'.I just laugh it off, perhaps next time I'll say I can't afford their air fare!
Just a quick note to say that the most fun thing I've been doing so far is riding on the back of the motorbikes.I had a quick go at riding one myself near to our office but my boss quickly took it off me.He said I need to practice ha ha - true that!!But riding around on the back is loads of fun - I can see why you love it so much Jen and Chloe.Even if it is a little uncomfortable with three people to a bike, riding along dirt tracks and dodging cows is like a ride at Alton towers - only without the safety harnesses.It's all good though, I promise I won't die!
My house is fine, although it's a good job I'm a happy camper.Genuinely, the bugs, unreliable electricity, unreliable water, and the rest of it aren't bothering me too much, and I feel pretty much normal here already.Again I'll put pics up soon so you can see where I'm living but a massive room, my own bathroom, massive lounge, balcony and roof all for Rs 600 a month (about 7 pounds 50 - no pound sign on this keyboard) makes Mandie a happy girl.I'll soon settle in more, and make it more homely but at the moment its just like a big student house.There's five girls living here all together, and they're also new so haven't invested in decorating the communal spaces or buying furniture or anything.I might do though, as it will feel more comfortable - I think my first investment would be a fridge if anything.I'm not allowed to go anywhere on my own and, at the moment, I'm not allowed to go the market without my boss Avani Ji.I don't really mind as its been nice to relax in my evenings rather than worry about getting food etc.The girls I live with are lovely too and they're cooking for me every day and making sure I know how things work.I keep offering to help but they tell me 'Nahin' so I just sit back down again.I will have to learn to cook soon though, as I don't want to rely on others forever! On that note, I don't think I'll be losing too much weight - its mainly roti and potatos so far, although I'm sure we'll venture out to different vegetables soon.
Crookey - I'm afraid the most exotic animal I've seen so far is a buffalo and they aren't too cute.No monkeys, elephants or tigers much to my disappointment, but if I'm granted any leave I'll make it my business to get on a safari (keeping mint imperials safely in my pocket at all times of course)
Jen - Glad to hear you've got your bike fixed!I can totally see why you love it so much and will probably be bugging you for rides when I'm home!
Well, I've probably taken about half of your lunch break now so I'll let you all go, sorry for rambling.As always thanks for all your messages, and phone calls.Its great to hear how you're all getting on.I miss you all lots and want to know what you're up to so keep them coming.
Lots of love,
Lil me xxxx
- comments