When we left Kalimpong we said that we would be in touch when we reached Kerala if we could get an internet connection. Well our trusty Tata Indicom Dialler works here as well and so this is the last post in the blog before we set off for home on Monday. If you have been reading the blog from the start you will have seen that we have experienced so much in what in reality is quite a short time. While we have been living the adventure however we have at times thought that it would never end. We have at times been ready to chuck it all in and return. This was mainly in the dark (literally) days of the monsoon when we hardly saw sun amid the mist and rain for several weeks at ... read more

The last time we posted an entry we said that we were getting close to going home time. We are now surrounded by Going Home Day Flowers blooming all over the estate. This is the name given by the children to the poinsettias which grow as trees here and are laden with lovely big bright red flowers. They get the name because their arrival indicates that the time for going home for the holidays is approaching. We have not done any travelling since last time as we have been busy trying to complete the work of the project. Now all that remains to be done is the completion of the management report which we will present to the Board in Kolkata in two weeks time. Then it’s off to Kerala for some sunshine. We are getting ... read more

Hi everyone. We have now finished the entire training programme for staff at DGH. Since being here we have delivered 32 separate training modules to cottage staff, teachers and heads of departments. Everyone has had a taste of a training style which is pretty alien to them and it has taken us many weeks to get colleagues to call us by our first names rather than Sir or Ma’am. The feedback is all very positive and we just hope that everyone is not simply being polite. There remains a two day management workshop for the senior management team due to take place on 5 and 6 November and the training and development part of the programme will be complete. The weather here has been wonderful for the past 2 weeks with warm sunshine during the day ... read more

In the past few days we have continued to keep busy doing work around the school with both staff and young people. With the birthday celebrations over the visitors from around the world have returned home. Our new found Aussie friends have departed and the guest house has become quiet again. Except that is for four members of the Japanese Committee who have been visiting the school to inspect the greenhouse and visit nearby farms where Japanese rice is being cultivated under experimental conditions. The aim of the project is to increase the yield per field and it appears that this is being achieved. Before our Australian friends left they took 117 children on a picnic beside the River Rilly near Kalimpong. The day was a great success although we did not arrive until the afternoon ... read more

We have been pretty busy in the last ten days so we have not had much time to update our blog. We are continuing with the training and meeting adults and children alike. We have been involved in lots of social activities as well so sit back and relax. We hope you enjoy reading; Day 28 - Tuesday 26 August Philip is feeling extremely unwell and has had a terrible night. Tight pains in his chest and has a dreadful cough but despite this he insists on taking the session. I have to step in at one point as Philip’s voice almost disappears. Today I should have gone with Philip to town to pick up my kurta but instead we return to Ahava. While Philip sleeps (for four hours - unheard of) I get on with ... read more