Scouting Ireland Rainbow Challenge

2009-10-29T23:45:00.005Z

Some reflections on the challenge.

2009-01-09T13:55:00.015Z

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.

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.

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.

Back in Kolkata

2009-01-09T09:35:00.003Z

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!!!!

Happy New Year Buon Anno

2008-12-31T18:33:00.002Z

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

December 30th

2008-12-30T11:52:00.002Z

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!!!

Day 6 - Christmas Day

2008-12-25T08:53:00.002Z

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!!!

Day 6 - Christmas Day, December 25th

2008-12-25T08:23:00.003Z

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.

Day 5 - Wednesday, December 24th

2008-12-24T13:12:00.003Z

Righty, well it's 18:45 local time (about 12:15 Irish time, I think), and I'm back in my spot in the Internet cafe around the corner from Loreto Sealdah. It's Day 5, I suppose, but it feels so much later with all that's been happening, and all there is to be taken in around us. It can be a tad overwhelming at times, and you need to step back to clear your head a bit. Myself and Sean were relieved when BA delivered our bags today; they'd been AWOL since Sunday, and it was a relief to have them back.

We're fairly settled into Loreto Sealdah at this stage, and we're getting used to the routine of it all. We get up about 07:30, have a quick wash (a bucket of freezing water - nothing like it to wake you up! It's be the closest I'll get to a Christmas Day swim this year), then brekkie at 08:00. After that we do different things around the school.

Yesterday we were helping sort a seemingly endless supply of chairs in the school, then put them in the right classrooms. Took longer than you'd expect! Then we visited a small village to meet some people, and get a look at the type of building project which we'll be undertaking next week - a kind of septic tank I guess.

Then today we helped the girls of Loreto Sealdah start up their own Scout troop, with an array of neckers of various colours, 'Scouting Trail' books, and games. We also talked them through the Promise and Law, some basic first aid, tent pitching and some other stuff. We finished with a brilliant campfire-style sing-along with a mix of both Irish and Indian songs, and a couple of Christmas carols thrown in.

Right now most people are just looking around the market, and we're meeting at 19:30 to go to Park Street (a big shopping area) for dinner. Then we're heading to a midnight mass which, unlike at home, is actually at midnight, and not half nine! We'll be shattered afterwards, but it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing so we can't wait.

2008-12-21T13:07:00.010Z

Day 2 - Bangalore

Yes that’s right Bangalore and what a day it has been. BA assured us we would get on a flight to Kolkata today. When we arrived the BA rep informed us we all were booked onto a Kingfisher flight. When we checked in only 2 of us were booked. For some reason we have 2 PNR's (booking references) and only one of them was passed onto Kingfisher. It took several hours to get something sorted out. There were various options. All going at 7pm, splitting us up on several flights, all go now - no too late. In the end we settled for a stay in a hotel and the assurance we will all go on a 09:30 flight in the morning.
Bangalore airport is definitely different. Once you go into the check in area there seems to be only one way out which is on a flight. You cannot get back out. Transport was arranged to the hotel but security would not let us out. The BA rep had to be called again to allow us leave the check in area and to our hotel.

The journey was something else. We loaded up into the cars and it took some time and several men with various bits of paper to let us leave the car park. But once on our way it was a 45 min drive, if you could call it that. Horns blowing for everything. i.e. I am coming through, get out of the way, go ahead I am letting you go etc. We can’t believe the cars don’t have any dints. I don’t know how many timed I was reaching for the break.

Funny part is the hotel bar name is Dublin. Were we back home. Could all of this have been a dream? No its not, a nightmare maybe but we are all here safely and with some food and rest we will be ready for the next adventure, the continuing journer to Kolkata. I think John and myself might end up in Dublin tonight.

2008-12-21T01:54:00.003Z

Saturday 20 December, everything started OK. From that I guess you may have an idea what is coming.
We meet in Dublin airport and had a group photo. Evelyn came up trumps with the hoodies. Notepads were also distributed for those who keep the traditional diary. Security in Dublin Airport was eventful, vaccination viles and needles were a surprise but eventually accepted. Worse was the tent in cabin baggage. Who thought of that, I won’t hang the guilty “G”? John managed to get it through.
We arrived in London Heathrow and made our way to terminal 5. The self check in machines greeted us so we availed of their services. First they would not accept our passports so the ticket numbers were required. Seat numbers could not be confirmed. What’s this? BA staff advised we should go to check in area G, the group check in. When we arrived there was an issue. Just a small one, “your flight is full”. What! …… You need to go to area A from where we just came. Any to cut a long story short the aircraft on the Kolkata flight was unserviceable even Ken couldn’t fix it) and substituted with a smaller aircraft so our group and some others YES YOU GUESSED IT WE WERE NOT ON THE FLIGHT!! And could not go directly to Kolkata.
AND SO TO PLAN B After some complementary snacks we were checked onto a flight to Bangalore some 4 hours later than the Kolkata flight. OK with the snacks digested the adventure through Bangalore to Kolkata could be a more interesting experience and let’s face it we were on our way. There were 2 flights from Bangalore to Kolkata which would see us at most 24 hours later than expected. Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Wrong again Ken L. Memories of when I worked as an Aircraft engineer came back. “Should have offered my services on the first aircraft maintenance”CS. On board the Jumbo (not a breakfast roll) on the taxi way and approaching the runway – wait for it the Captain announced we were returning to the stand due to a technical problem with the aircraft. (Where is a good engineer when you need one?)
AND SO TO PLAN C -This would take 10 – 15 minutes to correct and we would be on our way. Well 2 hours later sitting on the aircraft, the air-conditioning not the best, we were informed all was OK and we would be airborne in half an hour. Fingers and everything else crossed we were (Carlsberg Plan in action).
Now we would arrive in Bangalore at 19:00 (01.30 tomorrow Irish time). What’s the problem with that? Just the connecting flight to Kolkata departs at the same time we arrive in Bangalore so we miss our connection and the next one is some 3 to 4 hours later.
Anyway its 19:25 Irish time now and 6 hours out of Bangalore having been fed and watered, I think some ZZZZ’s are in order. We will find out what awaits in Bangalore hopefully from the BA rep on arrival. We await safe arrival of the bags and TENTs. Maybe a nice hotel, some good rest at this stage followed by a flight to Kolkata for us all together in the morning is just what we need. The spirits are high (about 40,000 ft), the adventure has begun.
What a day or two!

PS we landed firmly in Bangalore and I mean firmly. It was quite a thump which even shocked me.

2008-12-20T19:41:00.000Z

2008-12-20T02:45:00.002Z

2.45am.. Saturday 20th/December/2008... T-Minus 1 hour and 45 minutes and counting...

As I lie my bed, gazing around my room, struggling to keep my eyes open, wondering what I've forgotten to pack and running out of things to type, I can honestly say that I'm excited...

6 hours from now I will be in Heathrow Airport waiting for our flight to Kolkata and most definitely be wrecked! The thought of a 9 hour flight where I can catch up on missed sleep is sounding soo appealing right now..

John, I packed a sock for you just incase ;)

Glenn

2008-12-19T19:57:00.002Z

Rathlin Road, Friday, December 19th, 8pm:

I still haven't packed a sock. Spent the last couple of hours buzzing about like a blue-arsed fly distributing various pieces of Group equipment for people to carry. Today has been crazy, especially for myself and Ken. Right now I'm just looking forward to settling into my seat on the big BA Jumbo from London to Kolkata in the safe knowledge that everything is in order, on schedule and that we haven't left anything of any great significance behind us.

It has take an enormous effort to get us to where we are now. Tonight as 18 people embark on the adventure of a lifetime, I think of those who helped get us here. People like Marie Therese O'Higgins, Michael Donlon, my mother Nora Lawlor, John Alexander, Sister Cyril, Fr Seán McArdle, Fr Liam Lacey everyone who donated money, everyone who gave us practical support with fundraising events and in our planning and everyone else who have unfortunately escaped my mind at time of writing.

This has been a massive journey for me personally. I have learned so much from this and having the support and encouragement throughout of people like Ken, Catherine and Glenn has been my lifelblood. I hope I will not let them down. We'll do our best. I better go pack that sock.

T-Minus 26 hours and counting..

2008-12-19T02:05:00.003Z

Ok.. so I'm lying on my bed at 2.05am on Friday the 19th of December 2008 - 26 hours before we are due to meet in the airport..

As I look around my room I find it hard to see either my door or my telly but I am advised that 'they're there somewhere'.. Instead, I see bags, bags and more bags. Don't get me wrong.. I'm not one of those shopaholic people but I can honestly say that I've shopped more in the last week than I have in my whole life!

Like I said 26 hours to go and the top thing on my to-do list is pack... Yes.. pack.. I don't mean finalise my check list, I don't mean double check my bag, I mean actually take my bag out of the attic and pack! I have come to terms with the fact that I am going to forget something... it's inevitable, whether it's my toothbrush or my sandals I promise you I am going to forget something!

I'm tempted to get up and start getting a move on but as I've said for the past 2 weeks.. "I'll do it tomorrow".. but now unfortunately folks, 'tomorrow' has arrived...

Tune in next time.. same bat-time, same bat-channel..

Glenn =)

A week to go! What have we gotten ourselves into??

2008-12-13T20:38:00.003Z

Howya! I dunno exactly where I'm going with this, but here goes anyway...

Ok, India! It's fecking 7 days away! Between college and Scouts and everyday stuff it always just seemed like something in the future not to be worried about anytime soon but now that it's this close it's kinda mad! There's so much stuff to be thinking about and I'm almost freaking out!

Like packing! God don't ya just hate packing? I'd been half thinking of rolling outta bed on the 20th an hour before I was meant to be in the airport and throwing a bunch of stuff into a bag, but when I saw the list of stuff we need to bring that doesn't seem so likely anymore!

I mean don't get me wrong - I cannot wait to get over there, but it'll be strange being in such a totally different environoment, away from our families, and at Christmas, but feck it, bring it on! It's gonna be a trip of a lifetime!!!

2008-12-09T22:20:00.001Z

Last Monday 8 Dec 2008 saw the launch of the Rainbow Challenge in the 127th Drumcondra Scout Den. Although we have been working on the Challenge for over a year things are coming together very quickly now. Many thanks are due to all who supported this project weather financially or for their many hours of work. It would not be possible for us to go to India without your efforts.

Above the 18 members of the Rainbow Challenge from 5th Port Dollymount, 35th Donore Ave and 127th Drumcondra and the 2 priests who offered their blessings for the challenge.

Chief Scout Michael John Shinnick

2008-12-05T23:59:00.006Z

The Chief Scout Michael John Shinnick complements the “18 young people” (thanks Chief) of the Rainbow Challenge and tells us he and Scouting Ireland are proud of the project.
Chief Commissioner Adult Resources, John Brennan also attended and their team won one of the place prizes in the table quiz. I won’t say which one. The picture below may give a hint.