How it all began,

Picking up on where my story ended last week, Ritinjali.

I found the organisation while I was searching information on the internet. What immediately caught my attention was a picture on their page. There he was, the boy about whom this all had started!

I started reading and then watched the You Tube video (three times, I think. Click here for the video. The story of Gopal brought tears in my eyes and I realized that in stead of searching information I could also really make a change by something to help out at the organisation.



                

And without thinking twice I decided to write an e-mail to Ritinjali that very same evening, stating that I wanted to volunteer and asking for a meeting. It was kind of an emotional mail rather then a rational one, but at least I had taken the first step.  

An answer followed soon. A very enthusiastic reaction with an invitation for a meeting in person. On the 16th of April I went to the Vassant Valley School where I met mr. Arun Kapur, Line and Dirleen. We had a great conversation and I found out that there where lot's of opportunities for me to help out. 

                      

So here is the plan. First of all they where gonna help me out, identifying the young man I was talking about and they would get us in contact. Then they would plan some meetings at INA Night School and at the Second Chance School so I could meet all the guys and talk to them. Last but not least, we would plan a meeting to talk about possibilities to get involved by giving art workshops at Second Chance School. The work of the boys/men could then later be shown/sold at an exhibition to raise more money to put into the project. Also, they told me about pick-nicks and other events to hang out and talk to the young guys. Actually it would mean that my whole family would become part of the project. Needles to say (but I will do it anyway) that I was absolutely thrilled. 

So, stay tuned. Next time I will fill you in on my first proper meeting with my new friend and a first visit to INA Night School. In the meantime I have lots of new inspiration for my illustrations...

                       

From Berlin to Delhi

New Delhi, April 26, 2013

Let me start this blog with a short introduction of how my new, big adventure started.
Oh, and please do forgive me that my English maybe is kinda off sometimes. It is not exactly my first language, but because I live in India, I think English is the best language to address as much people as I can with this blog. Hopefully I can get more and more attention for the wonderful work Ritinjali is doing so we can help more and more kids and youngsters in building a future for themselves.

On the 26 of January our plane took off, leaving Berlin after five years, heading towards a new life in New Delhi. Little did we know what to expect.

Delhi, a town full of contradictions. All is possible in Delhi but nothing works out as it is supposed to.
I loved Delhi right away. Why? I really don't know. It just felt good instantly.

After some time we kinda settled in. Our stuff from Berlin arrived after only two months and the house we live in became our home. Two of our kids started at an International school and felt good, the other two are still on the waiting list, but we found them a tutor. Our oldest daughter is still in Germany finishing her IB program and keeping in touch trough e-mail and Skype. All fine so far, so daily routines where picked up rather fast.  



In the meantime we where beginning to see more and more of New Delhi and especially more and more of the contradictions. A few times a week I found myself shopping groceries and chicken on INA Market. Not comparable to the supermarkets we where used to, but I got the hang of it very quickly. And although it is not the cleanest and the best smelling place, you'll find about anything you need on INA market. INA has no rules on hygiene, almost no refrigerators (outside temperature around 38 degrees Celsius at the moment and rising), flies all over the place, but it has to be said that you have never tasted a better chicken then those that are sold on this market.

Upon arrival at the market, you are immediately approached by young men or boys. All of them wearing a dark red blouse and a batch. The INA coolies. These young men or boys follow you to the shops and carry your shopping bags around. They get paid by the customers to do so. As I am used to doing things like that myself, I really had to get over my shame to have other people carry my stuff around. But you get used to it.

Seeing al off this time and time again though, being helped often by the same young guy I started wondering what was the story behind these boys. I started to ask questions about the coolies, went searching on the internet, and found out a few things that really got to me. Then I stumbled upon the organisation Ritinjali and I got in contact with mr. Arun Kapur, Dirleen, Ashish and Line. And that is where the real adventure started.

Next time I will fill you in on how it began

www.ritinjali.org