What a difference paint can make !!!

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Some picture to show you how the Children Classroom turned out

As some of you know myself and Suzannah are volunteering in a Mentally Challanged School here at camp in Himachel Pradesh. When we first arrived the classroom that the children were being taught in was very poorly decorated so the we decided to paint the walls white and then paint bright coloured ABC & 123 on the walls hopefully to inspire their learning. Many of the children are able to repeat back basic ABC but after a few minutes are unable to repeat them back or have no concept of what ABC is or why. Some of the other children it is still not possible for them to say or even repeat the ABC yet. But hopefully over time this may become possible.We are even helping them with basic hygeine lessons like cleaning of teeth, washing hands.

The last picture is when myself and Suzannah went and did a home visit to see Rahul and his Grandparents to talk to then about his progress since stating at the School. They told us that they have seen a difference since he had been attending and could tell that he enjoyed being with the both us us during the day. Rahul has very limited strenght in both his arms and legs and the both of us have be making sure that he is walking and even climbing the stairs the strengthen his limbs too. We have even managed to get him to sit on a bike which at the moment we are pushing and we really seems to enjoy, as this is one of the only time Rahul manages to make any kind of noise. But his big smiling eyes open wide when either of us come into the room and he is even now getting himself up from the floor and walking over to us rather than us going over to him. We both know that we are never goning to be able to make these children learn and remember thier numbers and letters but what we do know is that day by day they are learing more life skills that will help them in the future.

Each of the 9 children here in our group has become very special to the both of us and look forward in receiving regular updates from camp once we have moved on.

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Photos

Balloon Wall
Find the numbers in English & Hindu

Stain glass Mobiles
Made by Sue Edwards

Home Visit to see Rahul's Family
Grandfather, Grandmother, Suzannah, Rahul & Me

Comments

[Laura Preston]

wowee
Hi Geoff, seems like your having a worth while time. I love the paintings! It's very simlar to what Jen and Laura did before we met them in South Africa. Hope you are well. I'm missing campfire more and more each day. Lots of love from a very chilly England xxx

[Andrea]

Hi It is amazing to see the work you are doing in the school - it looks fanrtastic, we didn't know you were such an artist. A x

[sandie]

GREAT WORK WHAT MORE CAN ONE SAY
Hi Geoff what wonderful work I have been sitting thinking this week that maybe you are in the wrong type of work the children I can tell adore you its great they are learning life skills which will always be with them. Geoff I have a great big box of goodies but have know idea how long you will be at the school for please can you let us know on your next blog. We are away for just over 2 weeks from 7th Nov will post when we return. Love and Hugs to you and the Kids Sandie and Kerry

[angela king]

You are such an artist I think your paintings are great it must be so worthwhile for you and your friends . I do hope that alls well with you .I can only imagine that you are wishing you are back in Purley working your self to a frazzle in T esco!! take care