Outer suberbs of Delhi

Yesterday we ventured to the outer suberbs (and what a bus ride) to visit Sewa Ashram a rehabilitation centre for the destitute. Originally named 'Delhi House' for the homeless founded in 1997. Incidentally, Sewa Ashram, means 'Selfless giving'. On the way we passed many villages/townships that just seemed to go on forever. Fruit sellers and other craftsman all tauting for business. It's incredible how they survive. Whenever the bus stopped, there never seemed to be a shortage of beggars coming up to the bus window with extended hands. Honestly some of the sights we have seen are quite pitiful.
After our 2hr journey we finally arrived at the rehab centre and were greeted by a kiwi (Jenni Somerville, the administration officer for the centre) who is one of the volunteers working there. We were greeted with a very warm welcome and given some background on the centre before being given a tour and lunch. We lined up with our metal bowls and were dished up rice and dahl. The same lunch given to the patients. Some of students were not brave enough to try it and only had rice.
The patients were very happy to see us and one wee boy in particular took everyones attention. He was so cute. Many patients suffer TB and HIV aids, leprosy, typhoid and even some with limbs removed. Sadly there were some younger adults who are paralsyed from various illnesses and they were just bed-ridden. We also visited the childrens' section and saw some very happy faces - happy to have visitors; happy to have someone pay special attention to them. Some of these children were able to count to 130 in English, which I think is incredible since I can't count in Indian to 5. Some of our girls played with them; pushing them on the swing and playing on the seesaw. The kids enjoyed it. The boys wanted a game of cricket and our boys were tremendous sportsman. The accompanied them out onto this baron dusty playing area at the back of the complex and played cricket much to the enjoyment of the patients.
There was another kiwi couple doing voluntary work also; Ruth (nurse) and Jacob (physio)Ruth told us some fairly horrific stories about some of the patients and their plights, which I have to say were pretty graphic.
Poverty it seems has become an identity for many of these people and the philosophy of the rehab. centre is restoration of humanity. The aim of the centre is to make some contribution in helping to break the vicious cycle of poverty. They continue to seek ways to do this. The rehabilitation process with the intention of transformation is one of the initiatives of the centre. The idea of educating their patients and extending that to the community is also another intention.
Sadly when it was time to go, both patients and certainly some of our students were sorry to leave. This insightful experience certainly posed a challenge to their thinking and I'm sure left them with a strong compassionate imprint.
The journey back seemed quicker, on the way we saw monkeys on the side of the road along of course with the usual oxen driven carts, rickshaws, tuktuks and men and women hand-pulling carts. A mind-boggling experience as one of our students described. Our evening reflections revealed many thoughts, including their caring, compassion and understanding of the needs of basic human rights.

Friday: Today we had the morning off. Marty gave us all money to go off and have breakfast. Everyone went in different directions, in both small and large groups to have breaky and then the day was theirs until meeting time at 1pm. What was fantastic was the trust we were able to place in our students to go out own their own to do this. They showed tremendous responsibility in keeping safe and going out on their own. I'm not sure if I can say the same about their spending responsibilities. We have some fairly fun looking hena tatoos (don't worry mums, they do come off in time) and coloured scarves, belts, lighters and jewellery. They have had a ball.
We all met at 1 pm and took tuktuks to st Columbus school. The tuktuk experience was another story on its own. The whole weaving in and out and around traffic was such a hoot. I seriously don't know how anyone doesn't get killed in all that congestion. It's crazy there is absolutely no road rage as I have already mentioned.
Have to go Lights are getting put out in the internet cafe.