Some reflections on the challenge.
Rainbow Challenge logo
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
December 26 we left Sealdah and flew to Guahati where we were to be meat by a bus. Instead 2 TATA Sumo 7 seater 4 wheel drive vehicles were waiting for all 18 of us, 
our equipment and the drivers with a guide for each vehicle. What a squeeze. As it was so uncomfortable we had several stops to relieve the travel sickness and some food for the others. Eventually, some hours late we arrived in Loreto Shillong where we were greeted by Sr Punama and given refreshments. We then continued our journey to Umphanie and found Sr Regina there. For some reason we did not know this village is at 6000 ft. We were told it would be colder than Kolkata which was an understatement. Mary, a local lady 
and Sr Regina showed us to our rooms. The 3 existing classrooms for 85 pupils. One was setup as a kitchen come dinning room and the other 2 as bedrooms.The first night was quite cold and all 40blankets which were supplied for us were used. In the morning Catherine arranged breakfast for us.
our equipment and the drivers with a guide for each vehicle. What a squeeze. As it was so uncomfortable we had several stops to relieve the travel sickness and some food for the others. Eventually, some hours late we arrived in Loreto Shillong where we were greeted by Sr Punama and given refreshments. We then continued our journey to Umphanie and found Sr Regina there. For some reason we did not know this village is at 6000 ft. We were told it would be colder than Kolkata which was an understatement. Mary, a local lady 
and Sr Regina showed us to our rooms. The 3 existing classrooms for 85 pupils. One was setup as a kitchen come dinning room and the other 2 as bedrooms.The first night was quite cold and all 40blankets which were supplied for us were used. In the morning Catherine arranged breakfast for us. Later we had a welcome reception by the school pupils and teachers. 
The pupils were in traditional Kasai dress. They sang songs and presented us with flowers.During this time the mistries (Indian skilled workers) were laying the extra ground floor room foundation wall.We brought some food with us to Shillong but not enough to keep us going. Catherine arranged a shopping trip to get more including fresh meat which John selected. These poor chickens were still running around at the time!The building materials, bricks, sand and stone chips were some 
distance away so we 
began moving them closer to the site. I now know how handy a wheelbarrow is. We used traditional baskets and platted leather to carry the materials. The basket is cone shaped so it does not slip through the strap. It does take some getting used to though.During the first few days sickness hit us hard. A number of us were indisposed. The Latrines, holes in the ground surrounded by a tarpaulin were in regular use. 
The pupils were in traditional Kasai dress. They sang songs and presented us with flowers.During this time the mistries (Indian skilled workers) were laying the extra ground floor room foundation wall.We brought some food with us to Shillong but not enough to keep us going. Catherine arranged a shopping trip to get more including fresh meat which John selected. These poor chickens were still running around at the time!The building materials, bricks, sand and stone chips were some 
distance away so we 
began moving them closer to the site. I now know how handy a wheelbarrow is. We used traditional baskets and platted leather to carry the materials. The basket is cone shaped so it does not slip through the strap. It does take some getting used to though.During the first few days sickness hit us hard. A number of us were indisposed. The Latrines, holes in the ground surrounded by a tarpaulin were in regular use. 
Mr Haldha, the contractor who should have provided daily assistance, food and water seemed to forget that part of his contract along with having mistries available to assist us. In their absence we began laying the ground classroom subfloor from the rocks, which were carried from the roadside and broken with hammers to a suitable size, and concrete. As this was the first time many of the group carried out this kind of work it took 2 days to complete this task.Again the mistries never showed up so we began laying bricks. Without the plan which Mr H was to supply on the 27th we could only 
begin on 2 walls as we did not know where the door would be. I should mention we began digging the 4 holes for the new latrines we were asked to build. Each of these uses one of the 1 meter diameter by 1 meter deep holes to collect the waste for approx 15 months. When it is full the other one is used. During this time the first decomposes and may be emptied and used on the land.On the evening of the 28th were invited to a prayer service in one of the locals house. This was an amazing experience. We joined in the Kasai hymns. We knew from the air which were being sung. The local elders spoke to the gathering and some readings from the missal were read. During prayers of the faithful we were thanked for taking part even though we could not understand their language and for coming all the way from Ireland to help them build additional rooms to educate their children. We ended the service by thanking them for welcoming us into their community and said the Scout prayer before having tea and cakes with them. Catherine forgave us for being late for dinner. She did say she could hear the singing and enjoyed it.This work continued on the without the mistries for a couple of days. some of the classroom walls were a little less than straight up. It was very disheartening to see the bricks being removed but this had to be done. It is better to do a small bit well than a lot which wont stand. The one mystery working for Mr H on another building beside Sr Regina’s house kept saying everything was OK and the few times Mr H appeared he also informed us it was Ok. I myself was not the best and unable to keep an eye on the project.New Years eve brought a new challenge. One of out team took ill in the morning and by 10:00 I as medical officer decided a hospital visit was required. Naturally I wont name the person here. I returned to the village leaving another Scouter in attendance at the hospital. This is normal in the region. Rooms have a bed for the ill and a cot for the attender. In this system where treatment is required drugs and equipment including gloves are prescribed and must be purchased from the hospital pharmacy. These were than handed to the nursing staff who began the treatment. In the afternoon on New Years day a second person took sick and as their temperature was higher than normal I took them to the hospital. We now had 2 down with what appeared to be the same illness. Fortunately it was not. Yet another day and another illness hit one of the team. We now had 3 ill in hospital and 3 to look after them. All was sorted out in 2 days so everything began to return to normal, however some light duties were ordered for those who were ill until they were fit enough to do more. A difficult task to enforce as everyone wanted to do more on the site.We continued work on the 31st and 1st as we were behind our target.Avijit arrived on the 1st Jan and Mr H came to meet him. For some reason he asked if we had enough food and water. This was the first such request and I let Avijit know this to his surprise. Any way we now had someone with us who knew the contract and support was forthcoming. 2 mistries arrived on site and the brick laying was sorted. 
Mr H was very slow in providing the materials requested but we eventually made excellent progress.
We finished work on the 5th Jan and were treated to a lovely ceremony under our Irish and Rainbow Challenge flags. The local children sang us some songs and one of the teachers said a Farwell and thank you to us. We were presented with traditional Kasai beads and the girls also received a hair clip made from reed and wood.
begin on 2 walls as we did not know where the door would be. I should mention we began digging the 4 holes for the new latrines we were asked to build. Each of these uses one of the 1 meter diameter by 1 meter deep holes to collect the waste for approx 15 months. When it is full the other one is used. During this time the first decomposes and may be emptied and used on the land.On the evening of the 28th were invited to a prayer service in one of the locals house. This was an amazing experience. We joined in the Kasai hymns. We knew from the air which were being sung. The local elders spoke to the gathering and some readings from the missal were read. During prayers of the faithful we were thanked for taking part even though we could not understand their language and for coming all the way from Ireland to help them build additional rooms to educate their children. We ended the service by thanking them for welcoming us into their community and said the Scout prayer before having tea and cakes with them. Catherine forgave us for being late for dinner. She did say she could hear the singing and enjoyed it.This work continued on the without the mistries for a couple of days. some of the classroom walls were a little less than straight up. It was very disheartening to see the bricks being removed but this had to be done. It is better to do a small bit well than a lot which wont stand. The one mystery working for Mr H on another building beside Sr Regina’s house kept saying everything was OK and the few times Mr H appeared he also informed us it was Ok. I myself was not the best and unable to keep an eye on the project.New Years eve brought a new challenge. One of out team took ill in the morning and by 10:00 I as medical officer decided a hospital visit was required. Naturally I wont name the person here. I returned to the village leaving another Scouter in attendance at the hospital. This is normal in the region. Rooms have a bed for the ill and a cot for the attender. In this system where treatment is required drugs and equipment including gloves are prescribed and must be purchased from the hospital pharmacy. These were than handed to the nursing staff who began the treatment. In the afternoon on New Years day a second person took sick and as their temperature was higher than normal I took them to the hospital. We now had 2 down with what appeared to be the same illness. Fortunately it was not. Yet another day and another illness hit one of the team. We now had 3 ill in hospital and 3 to look after them. All was sorted out in 2 days so everything began to return to normal, however some light duties were ordered for those who were ill until they were fit enough to do more. A difficult task to enforce as everyone wanted to do more on the site.We continued work on the 31st and 1st as we were behind our target.Avijit arrived on the 1st Jan and Mr H came to meet him. For some reason he asked if we had enough food and water. This was the first such request and I let Avijit know this to his surprise. Any way we now had someone with us who knew the contract and support was forthcoming. 2 mistries arrived on site and the brick laying was sorted. 
Mr H was very slow in providing the materials requested but we eventually made excellent progress.
We finished work on the 5th Jan and were treated to a lovely ceremony under our Irish and Rainbow Challenge flags. The local children sang us some songs and one of the teachers said a Farwell and thank you to us. We were presented with traditional Kasai beads and the girls also received a hair clip made from reed and wood.
Back in Kolkata
We have arrived back in Kolkata and have reasonable internet access again. The blog will be updated with our journey and the challenges we faced in the North East over the next few days. There is a lot to say so watch this space!!!!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year Buon Anno
Catherine we are so proud of you Katie and all the gang who are doing such great work so far away from home and family and friends.Enjoy your NewYear .I understand your cooking has improved greatly so i am looking forward to you puttng in to practice all your new reciepes.Seriously we miss you all but it is is a noble cause.
Love John Rachel and the Boy
Love John Rachel and the Boy
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
December 30th
Wow, busy few days!!!
We haven't had regular access to a 'Net connection since leaving Kolkata, but tonight we're visiting a biggish nearby town called Happy Valley, so we're all getting in touch with home. The small village we're actually staying in (Umphrenai) is really nice, but very, very basic. The weather is always lovely during the day and warm when the sun is out, but chilly when it isn't. The nights are absolutely FREEZING (even by Irish standards!), but we're well wrapped up so it's grand. Every afternoon, around 4 or 5, it rains without fail. It's mad how regular it is.
We're usually up about half seven/eight o'clock in the morning, then we have breakfast and we start work around 9ish. The first few days was tough going cos we had to lift big loads of sand, gravel, bricks and other building materials up from a road to the site. Today was great though, cos we got to do some proper hands-on stuff. One group was laying the concrete for the floor of one of the new classrooms we plan to build, and the other was digging a series of holes for the toilets we're making. Tough going at times, but always extremely rewarding.
The people here couldn't be nicer, and go out of their way to make us feel welcome. The schoolkids had a lovely song prepared the morning after we arrived, and gave us flowers, and in general everyone's just been great to us, and they're always thanking us for the work we're doing here. One day even the smallest village kids were pitching in, with a little four-year-old carrying a single brick up the hill at a time - it was so nice. The food is DEADLY (thanks to Catherine) and even though a few people are a bit under the weather spirits are high and everyone seems very, very content.
Anyway, I better get back. Happy New Year to everyone at home from Meghalaya, India!!!
We haven't had regular access to a 'Net connection since leaving Kolkata, but tonight we're visiting a biggish nearby town called Happy Valley, so we're all getting in touch with home. The small village we're actually staying in (Umphrenai) is really nice, but very, very basic. The weather is always lovely during the day and warm when the sun is out, but chilly when it isn't. The nights are absolutely FREEZING (even by Irish standards!), but we're well wrapped up so it's grand. Every afternoon, around 4 or 5, it rains without fail. It's mad how regular it is.
We're usually up about half seven/eight o'clock in the morning, then we have breakfast and we start work around 9ish. The first few days was tough going cos we had to lift big loads of sand, gravel, bricks and other building materials up from a road to the site. Today was great though, cos we got to do some proper hands-on stuff. One group was laying the concrete for the floor of one of the new classrooms we plan to build, and the other was digging a series of holes for the toilets we're making. Tough going at times, but always extremely rewarding.
The people here couldn't be nicer, and go out of their way to make us feel welcome. The schoolkids had a lovely song prepared the morning after we arrived, and gave us flowers, and in general everyone's just been great to us, and they're always thanking us for the work we're doing here. One day even the smallest village kids were pitching in, with a little four-year-old carrying a single brick up the hill at a time - it was so nice. The food is DEADLY (thanks to Catherine) and even though a few people are a bit under the weather spirits are high and everyone seems very, very content.
Anyway, I better get back. Happy New Year to everyone at home from Meghalaya, India!!!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Day 6 - Christmas Day
Nollaig Shona daoibhse!!
It's been busy since I last wrote, so nothing new. Christmas mass last night was nice, with lots of music. The priest's overlong sermon made me think of home, and though we were knackered by the end of it, we were glad we'd all gone along to experience it.
We got back to Loreto Sealdah about 02:00, and half the group went straight to bed, and the rest of us stayed up chatting for an hour or so... We had a well-needed lie-in in the morning, with no alarm set. Although it was probably only another hour we were glad to get it!!!
This morning we'd brekkie as usual, then we played with the Rainbows, and set up three flag poles for the party in the afternoon - 1 for the India flag, one for the Ireland one, and one for the Rainbow Challenge project one. Also we did a load of drawing with the Rainbows, which was great. Everyone got really into it.
They made a special dinner for us at 14:00 - boiled spuds, chicken, carrots and green beans - and Catherine produced a delicious Christmas cake that she'd somehow brought all the way over here unscathed. It was great.
Right now everyone's just contacting their families, but now we're heading back to meet the Japanese visitors and distribute presents to the Rainbows. I don't envy Gerry in the Santa suit cos it's the hottest day we've had so far, I think - probably into the twenties....
Talk to ya soon, so, and Happy Christmas!!!
It's been busy since I last wrote, so nothing new. Christmas mass last night was nice, with lots of music. The priest's overlong sermon made me think of home, and though we were knackered by the end of it, we were glad we'd all gone along to experience it.
We got back to Loreto Sealdah about 02:00, and half the group went straight to bed, and the rest of us stayed up chatting for an hour or so... We had a well-needed lie-in in the morning, with no alarm set. Although it was probably only another hour we were glad to get it!!!
This morning we'd brekkie as usual, then we played with the Rainbows, and set up three flag poles for the party in the afternoon - 1 for the India flag, one for the Ireland one, and one for the Rainbow Challenge project one. Also we did a load of drawing with the Rainbows, which was great. Everyone got really into it.
They made a special dinner for us at 14:00 - boiled spuds, chicken, carrots and green beans - and Catherine produced a delicious Christmas cake that she'd somehow brought all the way over here unscathed. It was great.
Right now everyone's just contacting their families, but now we're heading back to meet the Japanese visitors and distribute presents to the Rainbows. I don't envy Gerry in the Santa suit cos it's the hottest day we've had so far, I think - probably into the twenties....
Talk to ya soon, so, and Happy Christmas!!!
Day 6 - Christmas Day, December 25th
Happy Christmas to one and all from everyone on the Rainbow Challenge in Kolkata.
I am pleased to be able to post today because over the last while our access to internet facilities has been poor and intermittent. Nevertheless, here we are again! This will be our last day at Loreto Day School Sealdah which has been our home since we arrived in Calcutta. Tomorrow we leave for Shillong in the rural Northeast to begin our building project at the Loreto school there.
Since we arrived here, everything I hoped and dreamed would happen has happened. The Scout meeting yesterday was magical as was the trip to the rural village near Diamond Harbour the day before. Rather than try in vain to describe these experiences with mere words, I will instead let the pictures and video clips which Ken will shortly upload to this blog do just that for me.
Today the Rainbow Children spent the morning happily drawing pictures on the back of blank postcards for our venturers to send home to those who kindly donated money to help them get here. I wasn't sure whether or not that idea that we had had some months back was going to work but as the pictures and video will reveal, it most certainly did. In about an hour we will kick off the Christmas festivities. Gerry Harris has the honour of doing Santa. Serves him right for not shaving!
I am pleased to say that I got exactly what I wanted for Christmas: All of our group are happy, healthy, actively engaged and enjoying themselves and my baby project is so far going really, really well. Lets hope it continues like this.
I am pleased to be able to post today because over the last while our access to internet facilities has been poor and intermittent. Nevertheless, here we are again! This will be our last day at Loreto Day School Sealdah which has been our home since we arrived in Calcutta. Tomorrow we leave for Shillong in the rural Northeast to begin our building project at the Loreto school there.
Since we arrived here, everything I hoped and dreamed would happen has happened. The Scout meeting yesterday was magical as was the trip to the rural village near Diamond Harbour the day before. Rather than try in vain to describe these experiences with mere words, I will instead let the pictures and video clips which Ken will shortly upload to this blog do just that for me.
Today the Rainbow Children spent the morning happily drawing pictures on the back of blank postcards for our venturers to send home to those who kindly donated money to help them get here. I wasn't sure whether or not that idea that we had had some months back was going to work but as the pictures and video will reveal, it most certainly did. In about an hour we will kick off the Christmas festivities. Gerry Harris has the honour of doing Santa. Serves him right for not shaving!
I am pleased to say that I got exactly what I wanted for Christmas: All of our group are happy, healthy, actively engaged and enjoying themselves and my baby project is so far going really, really well. Lets hope it continues like this.
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