Raisan School

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Xmas was a bit of a non event for us. No meat, no beer but all the curry that a man needs. We did a spot of shopping on our only day off, but apart from that was a pretty quiet day.

The week following the conference was great. We could sleep in late, then arrive at school by 9, do a couple of lesson observations, feedback to the teachers about things that they could do better. We were expecting to have more time in the classroom with the children but unfortunately this didn't really occur. We took a couple more insets with various departments of the Raisan School and they were so pleased for us to be there, and welcomed anything that we suggested.

As the school is still being built, there are over 500 workmen on the site, and their families also live there. They live in small huts, made basically from nothing and don't have any running water or power. The children don't go to any school, and the eldest of the children is left to look after the younger ones. Even though they don't have anything to play with, they still looked so happy and the whole family posed for a photo for us.

Our last Sunday before leaving for Udiapur, there was a usual Sunday sermon taken by a Saint. Being Sunday, it was the biggest gathering of devotees with approximately 13,000 people sitting inside a huge hall. Bapa (spiritual leader) usually came down to this hall to give his own speech. During this discourse, Mr Raja and I were presented by Bapa a flower garland as a gesture of thanks for our work at Raisan. Unfortunately Kristyn could not be presented one on stage as women were forbidden to get near to the leader, or to any of the saints. She was garland by someone from the woman’s wing of the organisation. Afterwards we were both approached by a large number of people who thanked us for our work at the school.

Next - off to Udiapur.

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Photos

Lunchtime
Nursery children ready to go to lunch

Some of the lunch ladies
The one on the left took an instant liking to Kris from day one. Neither of them could speak a word of english, bu they would do anything for us - and always offer a smile!

Kristyn's favourite
Such a polite boy, who happened to dress up as Santa to give sweets to all the children

Nursery Children
So cute, especially the little one with the big head!!

Boarding house
When it is finished it is going to house 650 boys.

A family portrait
Sweet family who posed for a photo. Mum and Dad were working on the site, leaving the eldest to look after and entertain the rest.

Scott and Nursery kids
Check out my traditional Indian Costume, and the red dot on my head!!

Comments

[Erin Withers]

You guys are awesome
Hey Kris and Scottie, just wanted to say hi and tell you both that i think what you did was an amazing thing, from actually helping the school to doing it together and making the trip to India. I cant tell you how much reading your stories have inspired me...you are both such fantastic people and am so proud of your efforts to help another country and community. As you said - you wont forget the time you spent there and the people you helped im sure will never forget your efforts and kind hearts. Keep being amazing xxoo erin