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the first time or Nothing ventured, nothing gained

After the two week "window period" we have now come true in the project life . Our room is ready, we finally know the name (almost) all women from the project and trust us even now, alone, to ride the bus. In this blog entry, we want to tell of our origins in everyday Indian life.

1.Our first bus ride

Our first bus we could only experience with an escort. We presented later also found out why. To drive in India, with the bus may have to follow some rules that have Maithri Vandana, and other staff-taught. That you, dear blog readers, if you ever ends up in India and to Mangalore, you know how to behave on the bus, we give our new-found ready to inform you that
first needs to find you the bus stop, which is often characterized not really and consists only of a small enclosure. When the bus arrives, you should already be ready to hineinzuklettern as quickly as possible. Because the bus is staffed by three men. One is the driver, another distributes the Tickets and collects the money and another is driving (together with the ticket vendor) the passengers with a pipe in the bus.
After having managed to climb into the bus, you should immediately reach for something to hold on because the bus driver drives off after a few seconds even if there are some people on the stairs. Finally, he must comply with the fairly tight knit bus schedule. Doors are generally not in Indian buses. If something has to hold or even had the good fortune to grab a seat should be released NIE. The streets around Mangalore are (especially the long monsoon season) with potholes and littered it is extremely shaken up. Very few bus drivers make an effort to brake before a Schagloch or avoid.
Another essential rule is to be selfish. One should never be forced into the middle of the bus, as there may want to start working for a college student and you many not at his bus stop coming out. Old people or pregnant women may be offered his seat. Furthermore, we
begenet as Europeans a great interest that one can easily become too much. At best, it simply ignores it or is pleased about the interest. When you have finally schonmal the opportunity to feel like a celebrity on the red carpet? ;)
is in an Indian bus it is extremely hot. This means that us Europeans just down the sweat is going on. This one is pressed together in a confined space with many people. A useful acquisition is a handkerchief, which can quickly find for the many other uses.

You see, nothing easier than with an Indian bus ride! We wish that you can go once in an Indian bus because it is a beautiful experience. And
for reassurance: How can now even sleep in the bus! :)


2.Our first lesson

Still working .. :)

during the Window Period After we have already given a short lesson to get to know, we had last Monday, then our first real lessons. Mondays we teach in the project office of Maithri Trust two groups of women for three hours.

present the results to the class ...

make yourself a monkey or elephant ..

Tuesdays we are in a branch office in the town of Maithri Vitla. There, we teach a group of young women for four hours. Although we had prepared that the women would be shy at first, we were very frightened. The simplest exercises dragged on seemingly endlessly, because some of the women said, even after repeated prompting so quiet that we could not understand them. So it was almost impossible for us to make even a simple round of introductions. So we limited the first time hour in a simple group games. The girls had to thaw some fun and actually it seemed a little by little.


The second time hour we tried again at the Introductions and we ended satisfactorily, with much effort and some measure calls. After this first lesson we saw, however, that we had to modify our teaching concept clearly. We will give up some grammar exercises and instead try to strengthen through many group matches the self-esteem of girls and to empower them (at least a bit) safer and more convincing act.

Passing on the Bangles

3.Our first Field Visit

our first Field Visit at a self-help group (SHG), we took with Shrimati, a colleague of Maithri, the SHGs and supervised visits a month.

The group, which we visited, there are only nine months. It consists of about 15 Mitgliegern. The women make their money mostly with the roles of Bidi (a type of cigarettes). This work she could do at home can find the budget. With the money they get by borrowing in the SHG, almost all SHG members to pay the school fees for their children or try to build a micro-enterprise.

to the SHG, we went by bus and then have a rickshaw to be withdrawn because it is about the lunch time is very hot and we would not otherwise have to walk. The monthly meeting of women was held prior to the kindergarten of the village. When the women came by and by, they brought chairs for us and Shrimati and sat himself on the floor. Then the Prayer song was sung, each employee of Maithri with the SHG and the students singing. Then began the big money counting, documenting, and distributing.

Monthly pay the women a certain amount to the chairman of the SHG. The money will be saved to one of the women receiving a credit. You must then pay back the loan in monthly installments, the interest rates are very low.

Leah cut the Bidiblaetter.

After a year of SHGs can also take loans from the SHG-Bank of Maithri Trust and distribute the money among the women in the SHG. Having had
Shrimati checked everything and explains the SHG members stuff, we were introduced and questioned about all sorts of things. The women were very nice and one has noticed how much they have been pleased that people are interested in them. On our way back to the bus stop we walked past a house where a woman lives from a different SHG of Shrimati. Immediately, she invited us to his house and a neighbor showed us how to roll bidis.

A basket of bidi tobacco leaves of un finished bidis.

three generations under one roof

The following day we visited with Usha an SHG, which has existed for 12 years and has 28 members. This group is located in a village located near a river. Where rice is grown and to get to the meeting point of the SHG, we had only half an hour down the mountain and then through the first part of the village, hiding between palm trees. Then we walked between two rice fields on a very narrow dirt track and had to jump over some small streams. We were very impressed with the landscape. Because at the edge of rice fields and coconut trees were some Betelbäume.

men at work on a rice field.

In the SHG only a long lecture on the local Tulu language on a health project to another organization was maintained. We have not understood a word with us and had trouble keeping awake. When the woman was ready and the women all bureaucratic Things were done, we were interrogated again and several times by different women invited to their house. In addition, we could even try this time to roll bidis. We have not really succeeded, but we have tried diligently, and we all had to laugh about.

:)

On our way home we went past gone to the accountant of the group and have been drinking the juice of fresh coconuts and eaten fresh bananas. Behind the house, the family has a well which showed us the master of the house with pride. In the hole saw from the water initially dirty and dull. But when Usha showed us how to drawing water and showed us the water, but it looked very clean.

Usha at the water hole

Even cows need time to cool down .. :)

Our first two field visits were very pleased and we were overwhelmed by the kindness with which the women came to meet us are.

4.Unser first Sari

We in our first sari: entwines)

To our first Saris is a long history here finally to "paper" to be placed. Even with every shopping trip in KKID we wanted to buy us all our first sari. But Malathi kept us coming back. We should pick the better but for an outing with our mentors (einsahen what we all). Arriving at Maithri, we learned that it is in this project for all (female) employees duty to wear a sari. Immediately kindled in us the hope that we would soon come to our first sari. The same for our first course to Mangalore, we wanted to buy it ourselves. But unfortunately, pulled out our Police Registration to the point that we then had no more time. But yes, we would soon come back to Mangalore. When we were in business, we learned, however, that we, after we had chosen the fabric had to first become a seamstress to sew the blose should. Fortunately, this also on the same day to take our measurements. You promised us the saris are ready in no later than one week. Two weeks later we were still waiting and were desperate: would we ever get our saris? When we finally got the saris then and could hardly believe our luck, we were opened, that a sari blouse with self-absolutely useless, unless you have an Sarirock, where you can attach the fabric ...

Our Schuelerinnen with her certificate

Finally we got our first saris but a lot later than expected, but we were proud and were able to contribute to the adoption of our first English course in Vittla.


According to the "Window Period" and many new experiences we can now say that we have settled in well at Maithri and the project staff and our Schuelerinnen have been to my heart.

greetings to Germany!

Namaskara Leah & Feli!

Ps: We are looking forward to many comments! ;)

How Long Can You Live With An Obstructive Bowel

Namaste dear blog readers!

For two weeks we are now already in India and it is us incredibly well. Our first week we spent in Coimbatore in KKID the seat of Charles bucket Foundation in India. On Monday, we arrived finally in Mangalore at Maithri Trust.



first Journey to Coimbatore
Our trip to India was exhausting. After a tearful farewell in Frankfurt, we flew to Mumbai. Next to us sat a nice Indian who has confronted us with some Indian habits of noisy lunches to questions like 'When will you marry?'. In case of strong turbulence shortly before landing, we were a little nervous, but we are lucky to have survived. ;)



Arrived in Mumbai, we changed some money first (to a worst possible exchange rate). Then we tried to come to drink something because it was very stuffy and hot. So we parked our stuff in a waiting room and some were waiting for us. We left the airport for us to buy something to drink outside. After refreshment we were trying to go back to the airport, where our friends and our bags were waiting for us. But a conscientious security guard stopped us. After much explanation and discussion, we were able to convince him to finally leave us in exceptional cases, to the airport. Because our flight to Coimbatore went from National Airport, we had to hurry, not to miss the shuttle bus.
arrived at National Airport, we made ourselves "comfortable" and some of us slept, as it was only 2 clock in the morning. Our next flight was UM10 Clock. But some stayed awake and went to 9:30 very erschöft the flight south. They were lucky because they got very little with the departure of the turbulence or rough landing in Coimbatore.
to the baggage supervisor was waiting for our Indian Matlathi on us and helped us bring this-despite the weight limit, very heavy luggage to the bus.

2.The first days in KKID
After a hair-raising ride through Indian roads we finally arrived at the KKID and fell exhausted into our beds once. After we had slept through the afternoon tea, we had a first meeting with our "Magic Malathi. In our first night in an Indian bed we slept under this long travel particularly well.
had the next morning some of the 14 volunteers, their problems with the Indian breakfast, which is unfortunately entirely of savouries. Then we took our Malathi on a public bus in the city of Coimbatore. Although the bus was packed, everyone will get a seat, which certainly was not all pleasant. Once in Coimbatore, we were initially overwhelmed by the noise level, a mixture of thousands of smells and crowds.



We then visited a school. After a first "audience" with the Director, the absolutely his uninvited guests a few wanted to offer biscuits and tea, we went to a school class. We talked with some students, sang a song and got himself a "Prayer Song" sung. Finally, we played for half an eternity with the children in the playground and were finally loudly accompanied by bicycles and on foot on our way back.
Now came the part that we had all enjoyed for months we went shopping! ;) For an hour we have a large part of the sellers of the sequestrated department stores, until finally (almost) all found the Salwar has his dreams.
happy and satisfied we went back to KKID and although we were all very tired, we went to bed too late because we exchanged our feelings and the experiences of that eventful day. Accordingly, the next day we were all a little tired in the morning Yoga. That changed quickly as the day we went to Isha Yoga Center. There we had a leadership that was interesting for the unbelievers among us.



We also visited this week were still a rural health center, with an Indian family as guests, drove to a village and visited a nursery school in the country. Finally, we learned
our mentors know and exchanged friendship bracelets. The next day we learned some details about the projects and our tasks for the next seven months. We also had fun making some group games.



On the last night we had a Cultural Evening, to which all employees of the KKID and their families were invited. We performed once before the program that we had learned in our preparation day at the circus Waldoni. We also sang the "Bridge Builder" song and performed a Bollywood dance. Our mentors had prepared some program points, so it was a wonderful evening and a nice end of our days together in KKID.



3.The trip to Mangalore
Monday was our last day in KKID now begun. Most of us had packed on Sunday evening and ended at 14:30 clock Malathi than the seminar with a heartfelt acceptance speech, the second farewell began within a week. We volunteers are needed to pass each other and knew that the next 7 weeks we would not see. In recent weeks we have grown into a large family in which we care for each other much.



clock we went to 18, with Fabian, Janik, Sarah and Saadet together after the Coimbatore railway station. There went the Karwar-boys in the same way we train to Mangalore. The train arrived a little late, but he came and we were very glad when we Premal and Pushpa sat in our compartment, and had managed to get our luggage into the train. In the train a lot of people were crowded together.




Initially we tried rumzubekommen our time by eating and a bit of reading. Then we set up our beds and fell asleep soon. Even if we were a bit worried because we had seen some small Karkerlaken, we were fast asleep. To 5 clock in the morning we reached the station in Mangalore. We said goodbye to the guys who continue to Karwar were run mussten.und of Ganesh, the caretaker and driver of Maithri picked up and enjoyed for the first time in India a very sensible driving style. (What's so much that no one in fifth gear at 30 stops on a road dotted with potholes.)

In Maithri arrived in Deralakatte, we were shown our room and we packed ever in a bit, laid down together and slept a lot. We were woken up for breakfast, lunch and teatime. Afternoon, we hung our pictures and decorated our room hard.


4th Arrived in Mangalore
In the coming days, we were most Employees of Maithri Trust presented and learned all know a little bit closer, because during the "window period" of 15 days sleep every night, two women in our office.
On Thursday we were with Vandana in Mangalore, with the help of Lydia (the mentor of last year) the Police to make registration. Unfortunately, this took a little bit in the length (like everything here in India). When everything was settled, we went to eat a snack and headed back to Maithri to be present at the Staff Meeting. In this we were introduced to all present employees and were given the first official meeting on Kannada.

Kannada is the local official language in Karnataka. In this region each has their own caste or language is the mother tongue of most people. We have already bought books and Feli is busy here, our room to pave with words in Kannada, while Leah washes the clothes on the bathroom floor. On Saturday
Pushpa has taken us to a Ganesh temple tour in honor of the elephant God. We are pulled from temple to temple around us to pick up gifts and holy water over us to tilt the head. It must be the so imagine that you stand in a queue and pushed a bag of bananas, half a coconut and citrus fruits in the hand will receive after you have stretched out his hand to a man who is mostly upper body and his free has enveloped the abdomen with a white cloth. In his hand is then given a bit of a holy water, drink the Indians and the rest tilt of his head. We have given up drinking, because we would rather drink filtered water.






between we have the bank manager of Maithri paid a visit and then wanted to take the bus to Vanita (Maithri a staff member) in order to look at another temple. But then Leah made a great birdie on the head and arm. The result was extreme nausea on the part of Leah's and a quick change of plan on the part Pushpas. We are then with the rickshaw and went to Vanita Leah has washed there and changed the top. Then we went into the temple and have even seen some of dance performances. One was particularly impressive because the girl has presented a traditional dance that was matched to the lyrics of the song.


The next morning we had to get up at 5 clock to make us for a wedding in the far south Karnataka ready. At half past 7 were the passengers of Maithri to take us to 5 hours to the wedding. The journey was very long and the roads (because of the long monsoon season) in a bad state. When we finally arrived, we were led into a room, sat in the couple. Only later we learned that we had missed the wedding ceremony already. So we congratulated the couple and made for all by giving them rice trickle over the head were. Later one of our other guests of Maithri pointed out that one should not make the younger than the bride. With this faux pas, we were a bit confused.



We were then taken to dinner and ate delicious vegetarian dishes and delicious Tandoori Chicken. Then we were still personally presented to the groom and the bride and met the grandmother of the groom. The mother of the groom is an associate at Maithri. After an hour we left the wedding again, to make us the long way home. When we were finally at 6 clock in our room, which was felt very exhausted. Nevertheless, we were glad our first wedding to some extent brought upon the stage. For in January is one of the Maithri women will marry and at least at their wedding, we do everything right. :)