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. TRAVELLERS' TALES: CARE PROJECT - INDIA . |
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Monica Philalay / Care Project - India / Australian |
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 It's chaotic and loud here but there is a charm
to the place. Once I got over the crazy driving, the staring, the noise
and the fact that I can never be clean, I really started to have a good
time. Karen and Pradeep are both extremely helpful and friendly. Today
they took me to the orphanage to introduce me to Elizabeth and the kids,
and they are all just gorgeous! So affectionate and energetic - I can't
wait to start there on Monday! Karen also took me around the town and
showed me where everything was including the tailor markets where I'm
getting a few things made up - highlight was spotting the temple
elephant on the street.
I also visited the temple with the other volunteers today and it was
pretty amazing. The other volunteers are very nice and friendly, and I
can't wait to get to know them all better.
The volunteer house is really
lovely and I'm going to go home fat because Jaya is a brilliant cook. I might be going to Periyar
next weekend with another volunteer, which should be good. I'm trying to
arrange a tour around Kerala for after my placement, and I'll ask Karen
or Pradeep for their advice tomorrow. Thanks for all your help and
support! |
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Emma Woleridge / Care Project - India / British |
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The orphanage is a fantastic place to spend
time. The babies and children are adorable, the staffs seem pleased to
have us there and we always have lots to do. It's sad to see how little
quality of life the babies/children have but it's great that we are able
to help improve things for them ... if only a little. It's far far
better than I hoped it would be! Thank you for arranging such a great
project |
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Becky Wright / Care & Medical Project- India / British |
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A
lot of my time was spent seeing the sites,
And trying to avoid mosquito bites, Pleasant chats and drinks in Coffee Day, Where the music gets louder you can't hear what you say Working at the orphanage was a delight Playing with the children or even stopping a fight, My afternoons were spent with Dr Rawlin, His patients kept cancelling so I had to 'keep callin' A trip to Periyar was cold and wet, Amy got ill from an off omelette! Had a full body massage and an elephant ride, And a trek through the jungle but the animals did hide! The auto drivers drive like crazy, But get you places when you're feeling lazy! Some pretend they know where to take you, But a lot of the time they don't have a clue! I recommend avoiding grabbing a bag, through the window of a bus from an old hag, The contents, a chicken, may take you by surprise, And will most certainly be dead when you arrive! One night we ventured to the bar, And when we came out wished we had a car For a storm had been brewing; the rain was pouring, The house was flooded and rivers overflowed by morning My month has passed living in Madurai, And now it's time to say goodbye It's been amazing, I've had lots of fun, I don't want to leave, so thanks everyone! |
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Hege Andreasson / Care Project - India / Nowegian |
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The
best thing about this placement is the kids! Without doubt. They are fantastic! From the first day I
arrived, the children have been nothing but loving, kind and open. They
love the attention that the volunteers can give, because the nurses
usually don't have that much time to play with the children. The nurses
working at the orphanage are great as well, especially Elisabeth, staff
nurse! We have had quite a few some chats in the nursery while feeding
the babies.
I think the good thing is that you don't really need any qualifications
to be able to enjoy the placement. The nurses are really happy to get all
the help they can, and they thank you for coming and helping every day! They
will give you the same tasks as the regular nurses have, and I really feel
that they trust me, and appreciate the help.
I feel that I have got some insights to the world of adoption etc (mostly through the social worker, who will tell you the story and situation of each of the children if you just ask her) - which is useful for me since I am going to be a social worker. I just
really love my placement!! The orphanage is everything I could have
dreamed of and more. Love it!! Pradeep, Das, Jeya, Ramu are all great,
and if we have any problems, we'll always get help! Can you describe a typical day? I have been working the morning shifts, and get picked up by Das - our great driver - at 8am. He drives us to the orphanage - a 15-20 min drive away. A bumpy drive, but with great music (Das loves his music!) Usually the nurses would already have started to feed the babies by the time we get there, so we help them with the rest. At the moment there are about 13 small babies. Then its bath time for all the children - babies first and the toddlers last. We undress the babies, then Elisabeth usually gives the babies a bath in a small tub, and we tie their nappies and get them dressed. We then help carry the older babies and toddlers into the bathroom, pick up the ones that have finished their bath, dry the children and dress them. Usually one person will carry the children, one dry them and one dress them etc. We get picked up by Das again at 12.30, and go home for lunch, which is around 1 pm. Our cook Jeya makes great food! After lunch we go shopping, send e-mails, relax, chat, go sightseeing etc. At 6, Steve and I get picket up by Ramu - our "private" auto driver - to get yoga, which finish at 7. We then get back home and wait for dinner at around 7.30 - 8.00pm
Got any questions? Please email us: |
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Judith Cain / Care Project - India / British |
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I really
enjoyed the orphanage. The children and staff were lovely and you really
felt as if you were helping them. I found it a bit heart breaking at first, but am enjoying
helping with the feeds and playing with the children. They seem to
have nothing but are so happy just to have a bit of attention. The
orphanage I would recommend to anyone who didn't mind hard work.
It would suit most people who love children and are prepared to
get stuck in with the staff.
Each
weekend I have travelled out of Madurai and enjoyed that very much. It is lovely to go to the hills where it is much cooler, and the scenery
is amazing. I have really
enjoyed my time in Madurai. The Traveller’s house is very comfortable
and Jaya is a very good cook. Pradeep and Robin are both very helpful and so
know if you have any problems that they will be able to help you. I
would recommend this trip to anybody Can you describe a typical day? I was collected at 8am and arrived at the orphanage around 8.20am. The staff would be just finishing the early feed and I would help to wind some of the younger babies. Then I would help undress the children ready for bath time. I usually dried all the children which were very hot and hectic but good fun. Once the children I usually played with the older ones (3 - 4years) in the foyer, Sometimes colouring or teaching numbers and the alphabet, but mostly they just wanted your attention for cuddles etc. At 10.45 it was time to start feeding the babies and toddlers their bottles which usually took about 1/2 hour, followed by playing with the children again. At 12noon the older children had lunch and they liked us to sit with them, sometimes helping dish out seconds. After lunch the children were all put to bed so we would get picked up at 12.30 to go home for lunch. |
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Linda Bacon / Care Project - India / British |
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Things I’ve seen:
► Boy on
motorbike doing his homework while his dad dices with death
The
orphanage was challenging, moving, amusing and exhausting! Don’t expect too
much concentration or organised play from the children. They have little
idea of constructive play and sharing but they do make small steps with
consistent attempts to play with specific toys. Elizabeth is a saint, her
heart is so committed to the place. If you love swimming go to Sangam. I
took the months membership and went straight there from the orphanage every
day!! Usually dozed on a sunbed for ½ hour but did some swimming too! Have a
great time! I did!! |
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Imogen Catling / Care Project - India / British |
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I have fallen in love with Kerala. In the south I visited Kodaikanal, Periyar (twice!), Pondicherry and Varkala. In the North I
visited Delhi, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Agra, Ahmedebad and Udaipur. A must because
the North is so different and interesting.
To summarise, I have spent too much in the Tailors Market, been covered in
babies regurgitation, had my hair ‘styled’ by school kids, shouted at auto
drivers, hung out with crazy Germans, smoked too much Gold Flake, got
packages from England containing Heat magazine, been on a drip, been on
antibiotics 4 times, drunk too much India coffee, been smothered in blessing
powder and watched so many cheesy dvds. Karen and Pradeep could not have
been more generous with their time and so helpful. Jeya has the best laugh I
have EVER heard and will make you dinner on the sofa when you’re sick. Robin
– “Shall we go for a smoke?” – he is the daddy of Madurai! I love everyone
I’ve met here (apart from some auto drivers!) and I’m sure I’ll be back |
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Jasne Krooneman / Care Project - India / Dutch |
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Before I started as a volunteer, I had been in India many times. I already knew the situation poor Indians live in and I had often seen Indians suffering from terrible diseases. But still I was completely off the map when I entered the Orphanage the first time. I didn’t expect that some of the kids were mentally and/or physically disabled. The fact that some of the kids were found in a temple, church or just aside the road turned my awareness of these aspects of life into a feeling. No longer it was a logical consequence of a combination of different causes, it was a very sad and unbelievable situation; how could someone ever leave such a lovely child? Believe me when I tell you all the kids are absolutely gorgeous! Every morning at eight o’clock, I was picked up by the driver at the volunteer house, and while we were listening to very loud Tamil songs we drove through the – just awaking – city. These drives made me happy as I knew I would be able to help the staff with feeding, washing, dressing, and – especially - giving attention to the children. After a tiring but satisfying morning the driver would bring me home, a nice moment as well, knowing that I would spend the rest of the day with the other volunteers: very special, open and friendly individuals!
I had a great gap year and it made me decide to study
Cultural Anthropology and Sociology of non-western communities. I love
India. I hope you’re going to appreciate it as well! |
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Jennifer Mann / Care Project - India / British |
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The
work
was very hectic & busy but with all the kids that was bound
to happen! Also very heart-warming & very satisfying if you got them in a
good mood, or helped the babies walk (or try too!). There is just so much to
do – the tailor’s markets, go meet Cannon and the schawl lady (who is lovely
& gives you freebies!). Elephants are the greatest creatures ever – go to
Periyar & ride the beast! And be blessed at the temple. If you’re at the
orphanage and feel tired after a morning running, screaming and playing with
the kids; the only remedy is Coffee Day. Have the best time ever and do lots
& lots of shopping – you’ll regret it otherwise!
Got any questions? Please email us: |
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Laura Marsh / Care Project - India / British |
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Weekend
trips away have been brilliant, and if I were to recommend one it would be
Mahabillapurm. Don’t worry if you get down, take a walk and in no time the
locals will have cheered you up and have you laughing at yourself. Karen,
Pradeep and Robin are always about and can answer ANY question, get you
pretty much ANYTHING. Nothing is too much, they have really made my stay
special. My stay has been amazing and although it can be hard at times, I
have had some of the best moments ever here, especially meeting so many
different people. A massive thank you to all the volunteers who have made me
laugh so much that coke has nearly come out my nose, and made the whole
experience even better! Relax, soak up the culture & ENJOY! |
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Amy Hawksworth / Care Project - India / British |
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Madurai
has been awesome, the time has flown by but at the same time I feel I have
lived here ages and was just about getting used to some of their crazy
traditions. Working at the orphanage has been amazing, it’s so rewarding
knowing you’re bringing a bit of happiness to the kids lives. Definitely
venture away from Madurai at weekends, Periyar was great, Auroville to top
up your tan and Kodai for the chocolate! |
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Sylvia Schwall / Care Project - India / British |
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Aliki Salter / Care Project - India / British |
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The
orphanage was really fantastic – Elizabeth’s a legend and all the nurses
will love you if you get your nose pierced like I did (like a “real Indian
girl”). Watch out for Silippa – she tends to “pass motion” rather
frequently and right when you least expect it, and the best way to get the
kids to laugh (even Sobiya) is to tickle their tummies. Madurai itself is
fantastic, you get a real taste of a traditional Indian city – keep your
camera on you at all times! And make sure you eat a 25rs thali off a banana
leaf (right hand only) after lots of shopping and bargaining (it gets easier
after a few goes) in the tailors market. Enjoy! Can you describe a typical day?
►
8:00 pick
up
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Suite 2A, Caravelle House, 17/19 Goring Road,
Worthing, |
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