No answer yet

No answer yet...

And still, we haven't heard from our young friend, Govint. No sign of him whatsoever on the INA market, no signals from our contacts at Second Chance School. Maybe he stayed longer with his family, maybe there were problems caused by the floods in Uttar Pradesh or maybe he is not returning to Delhi at all. We don't have a clue. Luckily Uttar Pradesh was not hit as hard as Uttarakhand by the floods, but nevertheless there were about 600 villages that were affected by the heavy rainfalls in June, so that could be a reason why he is not back. We will have to practice patience once again and hope for the best. 

Painting Carnival


In the meantime however, my family did get a chance to meet up with the young guys from Second Chance School (SCS). It all started with a Facebook announcement about an event they were organizing. A painting carnival to make their house an even better home. We quickly had to adjust our holiday plans and shift them a little bit before we could add this event to our plans.

 

Holiday Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

Of course our holiday has nothing to do with this blog, but I have to tell you all that this holiday was an experience I will never forget. Our stay in Jim's Jungle Retreat was absolutely fabulous. We were well taken care of and really just spoiled by the staff. we were the only guests at the time so we had the swimming pool to ourselves and the whole park too. Well, not all the time that is. On one afternoon the park was suddenly very crowded because about fifty monkeys decided to treat us on a visit. Wonderful site, really. We took quite a few trips and got to see lots of wild animals, deer, wild swines, monkeys, lots of birds, elephants, a jackal, peacocks and water lizards. Unfortunately apart from some wild kitty cats, no sights of wild big cats. The tiger decided to show us only some fresh prints. In the evening time the staff treated us to some nice documentary movies under a beautiful starry sky filled with fire flies, while enjoying something to drink. 

However the craziest part of our holiday was the travelling. We decided to travel by metro and train to Ramnagar. It was around 2 p.m. when we started our trip. It was terribly hot on that afternoon as we left for the metro, but we managed to get in safe and sound. so far all good, but then we got out at New Delhi railway station and that was not the right station. As soon as we got out we were surrounded by people. Picture us, with four blond kids, white skin in the middle of a really crowded street with all of our heavy bags on a hot and very moist day. Must have looked incredibly silly, because everybody was staring at us. After a lot of trouble walking up and down with coolies, that were trying to cheat us out of our money, we finally were able to get in a cap that took us to Old Delhi Railway station from which we had to depart. Steaming hot, looking like some cooked tomatoes we got to our seats in the train, second class, non AC (air conditioning) that is. Oh well, I don't think I have to add more to this, you get the picture I guess. Anyway, after five hours in the train to Ramnagar I think I know how animals must feel in the zoo, not being able to hide and being stared at all the time. It was a truly amazing experience, I must say and the trip back was as much fun as the way up there, but we made it.

                                 

Painting Carnival SCS Mahipalpur

On saturday we got up early and after some cups of coffee we took of to Mahipalpur. The painting carnival. We had no idea what to expect and they had no idea that we where coming although I did sign up through Facebook. Imagine the faces when we turned up with our four kids. The young guys were immediately into comforting the kids. They obviously liked having them there and showed them their rooms. We got treated on some nice stories about their home country Tibet and about Buddha. 


And of course Max was talking to one of the guys about....yes right, football, Bayern Munchen to be specific (not my son, but the other guy:-)loves Bayern). 

After a cup off tea we helped out polishing the walls. We couldn't stay as long as we would have liked, but all in all we did have a chance to help out and to get to know some off the boys. And for me it meant a lot, that the children and my husband now know what I am talking about all the time. At least now they have a picture of the SCS and what it is all about, who is attending the school and so on. My children were pretty amazed of what the project is doing and how their new friends are putting up a fight for a new, independent existence and they do admire these young men for that.
In the evening time Max, my oldest son,  told me that he had really enjoyed the morning in Mahipalpur and that he hoped to see his new friends again soon because he has a surprise present for one off them. So sweet, Hope he can hand over his present soon. To be continued....

Some impressions of the day

Noes and Wiebe

Vollunteers

Arie

Me

Ben (Australia)

SCS guys

My young artists, Max, Wiebe, Job and Noes