MSB India Immersion Tour 2017 | Education

MSB India Immersion Tour 2017

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25.01.2022 A wonderful New Years Eve dinner at Veda. The Team India staff were happy and in bed asleep by 11.30pm.

23.01.2022 We enjoyed a nice Thursday afternoon at Asha Niketan which translates to ‘place of hope’, which is a L’arche community founded for people living with physical and intellectual disabilities. We were shocked to learn how people with disabilities in India are treated, including being rejected from families and left as orphans. Some members who were in this position were referred to Asha Niketan by the Mother House we visited earlier this week. Asha Niketan provides a vital serv...ice to support those who society rejects. In the Asha Niketan community there are 90 members, 15 of which are residential members who have had the opportunity to find a better home after many have lived on the street or were orphans. The compassion of the staff is overwhelming and drive this incredible program forward. The chance to share in a singing lesson was an eye-opening moment early on in our visit as we learnt how much happiness can be experienced even when a common language isn't spoken but all are included and welcome. The members of the community also engage in a range of vocational training workshops such as candle making, embroidery and tie-dye. This gives a sense of purpose to the individuals who make them and also provides Asha Niketan a source of income to support its members. The organisation also runs an outreach program to provide support to individuals who face disability and their families, who aren’t able to come to Asha Niketan itself. A beautiful place within Asha Niketan is their prayer space. It includes sacred texts from many different religions, all of which can be used in prayer. This idea reflects the notion that all people, and all religions have something to offer to the world. It was inspiring to witness this unique family where every member has their own gift to offer that contributes to the whole community. It was a close-knit community that welcomed us wholeheartedly to sing, dance and smile with them. A conversation with the director of the centre showed that many people do not oppose help being given by Asha Niketan but they don't actively assist either in the work it does.

23.01.2022 Safely arrived in Kolkata. Our first priority was doing some laundry.

20.01.2022 A visit to the bustling spice markets of Old Delhi.

19.01.2022 A reflective morning at the Gandhi Smriti Memorial.

18.01.2022 Day 5: Our visit to the Indian Social Institute has undoubtedly been one of our favourite and most valuable visits of the trip so far. Being a Sunday, our visit began with celebrating mass in Hindi which we shared with the Tribal women who are members in the Domestic Workers’ Rights Program hosted at ISI. DWR is run by the Jesuit order and provides domestic workers with support and protection concerning their rights within a work environment and their relationships with thei...r employers. A presentation we viewed and information shared by the women taught us that they face issues such as abuse, lack of holidays, no set working hours and no set salary or timeframe to be paid by. Despite these difficult conditions, many women have no choice but to leave their families and seek this employment far from home due to the death of a spouse, seeking independence, poverty and the reliance of family on their income. This day was not only enjoyable but was also full of new experiences as we celebrated one another's feminine strengths. The highlight of the day was sharing in traditional dancing and having the chance over lunch to talk to the women and gain an insight into their daily lives. Our group was inspired by the great joy shown by these women despite their constant struggles in life. The relationships we formed that day are ones we will be unable to forget.

17.01.2022 After a beautiful day exploring Darjeeling we are heading off on our trek adventure tomorrow. We hope to share some updates as we go but if we find mobile data hasn't spread that far we'll share some updates after we return to Darjeeling.

15.01.2022 Dance class at Asha Niketan (L'arche) Kolkata.

14.01.2022 At the end of our trip, Team India is sad to leave behind a wonderful country but very much looking forward to seeing our family and friends. As we sit and chat, it is apparent how much our personal journeys have been shaped by the people we met. Every day of this trip brought new insight into significant social issues and we all admire and respect the courageous women and men who strive to bring about social change. Below are some final thoughts from our team at the end of ...a wonderfully challenging and inspiring 25 days along with some highlight photos. Hannah: this incredible experience has given us the opportunity to open our hearts and minds to new perceptions about the world and people around us Claire: the connections that I have formed will stay with me forever. They are life long relationships i hope to revisit. Lani: the opportunities available when travelling with a school group rather than an individually planned trip are invaluable and a once in a lifetime experience Charlotte: the experiences and friends we made on the trip are memories we will cherish forever Jaime: it was an exciting and challenging cultural experience that provided me with a new perspective on the world. I am grateful to have been able to share in other people lives Sue: this trip included some very overwhelming moments that were shared with beautiful people Bethany: forming relationships with so many people and organisations was by far the most significant element of this trip. I am grateful to Team India for sharing their own thoughts and insights which enhanced my own experience. Paul: my fourth time to India yet still many new discoveries and surprises in this extraordinary country. Many inspiring communities working together in solidarity in the face of overwhelming challenges. Congratulations to our team - resilient, resourceful and respectful and great travelling companions as well.

14.01.2022 Day 7: Having visited with various organisations whose work conveys the spirit of Gandhi's message, our visit to the Gandhi Memorial was an important part of our stay in Delhi. This visit took us through an interactive exhibit that educated us about his life, ideas and final days.We were particularly inspired by his determination to do all he could, even when he seemed so aware that his own death was imminent. His contribution not only changed India, but the way the world thinks and responds to human rights issues. Our visit to the Gandhi Memorial finished with a reflective and prayerful walk along the path Gandhi himself took before his assassination on January 30th 1948.

14.01.2022 Kolkata Days 1-3: On Saturday morning we visited the Kolkata office of Udayani where we met the staff heading up Udayani Social Action Forum. During a presentation we learnt that 73% of Indians living in rural areas earn less than $3 a day which must support not only the worker but their families. Accompanied by two staff members, Elisabeth and Alphonsa, our team boarded the train to Pandua. This trip was an experience to say the least! Bustling, crowded and hot we had an in...credible view of the passing countryside through the open carriage doorway. After an hour we managed to get seats where many other passengers enquired about our travelling on the train. Arriving in Pandua, we walked to St Xavier Primary School where Udayani also has an office. We were greeted by a group of welcoming primary school students. After quickly settling into our rooms we ran outside to play cricket and soccer with the school children. On Sunday morning we went to the chapel to celebrate mass. Listening to mass in another language was a peaceful experience that was enhanced by the intricate mural behind the altar. During the homily we were encouraged to share all we have seen and learnt with others. After mass we met the women who are in different stages of their training to become nuns. We have a lot of respect for these women and the choice they've all made. After lunch we travelled in cars to a nearby village where we were taken on a tour. This tour educated us about agricultural practices, worship practices of the Tribal people, and their mud house construction. We met with several women involved in the Self Help Groups supported by Udayani. A big moment of cultural exchange occurred when we discussed marriage and the role of women in society. It was a challenge for us to realise girls our age are married and having children without the option of further study or careers. It was also hard to imagine how marriage means you are no longer part of your family but instead only the family of your husband yet are still responsible for caring for their parents if the sons fail to do so. On Monday we went to the convent to meet the female children who board there in order to attend school with the boys who board at St Xavier Primary School. We all had great fun meeting and playing with the children. At a special school assembly we watched some traditional dancing as well as teaching the children the Hokey Pokey. A highlight of this day was the genuine and selfless hospitality we were shown. As we left Pandua we were sad to farewell our two inspiring guides Elizabeth and Alphonse who shared their personal stories, struggles and hopes with us over these few days.

12.01.2022 Our group successfully completed four days of trekking in the Himalayas. Lots of laughs, jokes and encouragement was shared as we moved between Nepal and India spending our first night in Tumling and our second night in Kalaphokori. We were amazed by the changing scenery and the stunning views that awaited us when we reached the summit of Sandakphu on our last night. The cold and altitude provided us with some challenges but our efforts where rewarded when we watched the sun ...set above the clouds, throwing incredible colours against the mountains. We also woke early to watch the sun rise which was another magical moment. A highlight of the trek was the chance to talk about and reflect on our experiences over the last few weeks. The more we recalled, the more excited we became to share with everyone when we return home. We arrived back in Darjeeling last night ready for hot showers, and cozy beds. See more

12.01.2022 Taj Mahal adventures in Agra.

11.01.2022 Some significant fog has delayed our travel plans however it gave us the chance to explore Delhi via the metro and take some time to rest.

10.01.2022 Dancing with our new sisters, the Tribal Women we met at ISI.

05.01.2022 An exciting opportunity arose for Team India due to our early arrival in Kolkata. Our students participated in an interactive cultural exchange forum with approximately 25 high school and college students from India. These students are members in the Leadership Training Service group which provides opportunities for young people to develop and apply leadership skills in their personal contexts throughout their lives. This gathering allowed all participants to engage with peers their own age, and discuss the concerns, hopes and aspirations they share. It was wonderful to see relationships form over the diverse and common points. We thank Fr. John Rogers S.J. for inviting us to this unique and meaningful dialogue opportunity and look forward to developing this new relationship with LTS in the future.

05.01.2022 Yesterday we took a city tour of Kolkata which included the Khali Temple, the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity including the Mother Teresa Museum, the Spice Market and Flower Market. We also took a walk across the Howrah Bridge followed by a ferry ride on the Ganges ( known as the Hooghly in these parts). We saw the High Court and Parliament buildings, the Queen Victoria monument and visited the Indian Museum which happened to be hosting a visit from the Governor of West Bengal at the time. All in all a big day of sightseeing.

04.01.2022 We had a warm and energetic welcome to Pandua where we had great fun with the children playing cricket, soccer, marbles and badminton.

04.01.2022 A small taste of the Kolkata flower markets.

03.01.2022 Celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany in Pandua.

02.01.2022 The famous view of the Taj Mahal from Agra Fort.

01.01.2022 After a day of taxi and train rides we have arrived for our three day visit to Pandua village. Looking forward to time with the school children, the leaders of the self help groups and their project co-ordinators.