Hello everybody.
I finally have a moment to write to you; I will try to tell you things bit by bit.
The situation here is dramatic and worse than last year. Everything is so much more expensive and the poor are suffering more than ever. My arrival was a very emotional one. They were all standing in line singing, throwing flower petals at me, with some tears, a lot of them calling out, kisses and more.
The weekend was euphoric for all of us, including me. We went to the park on Saturday – they hadn’t been for 10 months – with cakes, chocolate, games, but more than anything else, kisses and hugs. They were unable to leave my side for a moment.
On Sunday, we went to church – I only go with them on one Sunday over the months I am here; they know I am not a believer, but it’s very exciting for them. They all laughed when I fell asleep halfway through!
That afternoon, we watched a DVD. The DVD player I took with me was a total success. They watched the film ‘The Bear’, with everyone sitting cross-legged on the floor open-mouthed, even the 18 year olds.
After the weekend, things felt desperate on Monday. They’d hardly had anything to eat in the past 3 months and me, stupid Westerner, thinking that school and education are the most important …….. filling your stomach always come first here. Some of the children have swollen stomachs from eating nothing more than rice for weeks; now, I’m trying to buy fruits, vitamins, etc …..
I took them to school on Monday morning; all the children who are still here all go now. Fifteen have left: 5 of them had mental problems and when they reached a certain age it became more difficult. So, they’re now in a place more suited to them. The other 10 had to go and live with relatives or just go home to their village. NOT ENOUGH FOOD FOR 46 – it’s shameful ….
There are 30 here now, but it’s still a lot of mouths to feed. Yesterday we went shopping in Madras for pots and pans, etc. Everything they had was in such a bad state that it must have been making them ill. Then we went to buy material to make school uniforms as it was pitiful to see what they were wearing. We were exhausted when we got back. We’re off again tomorrow, to buy clothes for Christmas and other things, as everything becomes more expensive closer to Christmas. Although everything is very cheap, you still need a lot for 30. I spent 1,500 € yesterday, just on kitchen equipment and material for their uniforms.
They called me ‘Doctor’ when I went in this morning, which shows they have a sense of humour! It’s because the first thing I do every morning is disinfect the horrific ulcers they have and give them medicine for colds and coughs, etc …… afterwards, English classes, then breakfast, and now they’re waiting for me to take them to school.
Bye for now …..
Here I am again. They’re all at school. It’s very hot and humid, and there’s no shade to be had …… Today is Children’s Day in India. I find it ironic, with 80% OF CHILDREN GOING HUNGRY, something which none of us have any idea of, except those who diet to lose weight. Sometimes I have to go off for a walk to clear when I’m overcome by a feeling of desperation and helplessness. I don’t want to exhaust myself as much this time. I rest for a couple of hours at midday or go to the beach for a while. I try to read at night or study a bit, but I fall asleep after a couple of minutes. I woke up this morning with my glasses still on and my book on top of me. Anyway ….. I’ll tell you more bit by bit.
I’m in another world here, a world which has nothing to do with my world for the rest of the year. Please don’t worry about me – I’m made of steel!
Kisses,
Nele
PS: THANK YOU, A THOUSAND THANKS, TO EVERYONE WHO HAS MADE A DONATION. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT MEANS HERE. WITHOUT THE MONEY I BROUGHT WITH ME, THEY WOULD PROBABALY HAVE HAD TO CLOSE THE HOME AND SEND THE CHILDREN SOMEWHERE ELSE.
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hola a todos,
Por fin tengo un momento para escribiros , ire poco a poco contando las cosas ,
La situacion es dramatica, peor que el año anterior . Todo es mucho mas caro y los pobres sufren mas que nunca. La llegado ha sido muy emocionante , estaban todos en linea cantando y tirando mi petalos de flores , algunas lagrimas , muchos gritos , besos y mas.
El fin de semana con euforia , todos yo incluido , sabado el parque , hacia 10 meses que no van , con dulces, chocolates, juegos , pero mas que nada besos y caricias , no han podido dejar me un momento . El domingo la iglesia , voy un domingo solo con ellos en los meses que estoy , saben que no soy creyente , pero a ellos les da ilusion , me he dormido a mitad , se han reido mucho . Por la tarde dvd , el reproductor de dvd que he traido ha sido un exito total, han vista la peli El Oso , todos en el suelo , las piernas cruzadas con la boca abierta , hasta los que tienen 18 años ,
Despues del finde , lunes y la desesperacion , no han tenido casi de comer en los ultimos 3 meses , y yo estupida occidente pensaba que las escuelas y la educacion son lo mas importante …….. llenar la barriga lo es aqui en primer lugar . Algunos tienen la barriguita hinchada de comer solo arroz durante semanas , pero ahora intento de comprar verduras y frutas , vitaminas etc…… Las he llevado a la escuela lunes por la manana, despues a comprar comida , ya van todos , de los que quedan , 15 se han ido , 5 tenian problemas mentales y a llegar a una cierta edad los 14 y 15 , ya era dificil , hay problemas , entonces estan en un sitio mas adecuado, 10 han tenido que irse con parientes o simplemente a su pueblo … NO HAY COMIDA PARA 46 que verguenza …….
quedan 30 , todavia muchas bocas a dar de comer. Ayer hemos ido a Madras a comprar , hoyas, sartenes etc……. estaba todo tan mal que cocinar en esto tiene que traer enfermedades, despues comprar telas para uniformes para las escuelas , porque la verdad daba pena ver como iban ….. Volvemos agotados , manana otra vez a comprar ropa para navidades, y mas cosas porque cerca de navidad esta todo mas caro. Aunque todo es barato para treinta hace falta mucho , ayer he gasta 1500 euros nada mas que en las cosas para la cocina y telas para uniformes
Esta manana a entrar me han llamado doctor , tienen sentido de humor , porque la primera cosa por la manana que hago es desinfectar las terribles heridas que tienen , y dar la medicinas para tos , resfriados etc…… despues clases de ingles , desayuno , y ahora me estan esperando para llevarles a la escuela , hasta luego…..
aqui estoy de nuevo, estan todos en la escuela , hace mucho calor y humedad , voy buscando sombra pero no hay ….. Hoy es el dia del nino en la India , me hace mucha gracia estas cosas, 80 % DE LOS NINOS TIENEN HAMBRE , una cosa que nosotros no sabemos lo que es , aparte de los que hacen regimen para adelgazar ,
Me entra de vez en cuando una desesperacion , y impotencia entonces me tengo que ir a dar un paseo, aclararme la cabeza. Esta vez no quiero agotarme tanto , a mediodia me tomo 2 horas , descanso , o bien me voy un rato a la playa . Intento de leer por la noche o estudiar un poco , pero despues de 2 minutos me duermo , esta manana me he despertado con las gafas puestas y el libro encima .
En fin …….. poco a poco voy a contar las cosas .
Estoy en otro mundo , un mundo que no tiene nada que ver con lo que vivo el resto del ano. Porfa no os preocupais por mi estoy hecho de hierro !!!!!!!!!!!!
Un beso
Nele
P.S. A TODOS QUE HAN HECHO DONANCIONES GRACIAS , MIL GRACIAS , NO TENEIS NI IDEA LO QUE ESO ES AQUI , SI EL DINERO QUE HE TRAIDO A LO MEJOR TIENEN QUE CERRAR LA CASA Y MANDAR LOS NINOS A OTROS SITIOS
