Hello everyone, im glad to see that most of you have been reading my journal so its not a complete waste of time!
So, its nearly a week here and i can say that i have really settled into bangalore and the way things work here. My work started this week and i have been taken on a motorbike everyday with a project co-ordinator so that i can learn the routes to the different centres. Its great fun going on the bike- minus the pollution going directly into my face!!!
Work has def been an eye opener and its so sad to see how bad things are for the poor kids out here. MOst of the kids that i work with are from 1 yrs old to 14. The babies and toddlers get very attached and just want to be held and to sit on your lap. Infact all the kids want to compete for your affection. It was over whelming when i first went into the centre. The kids were picked up literally from the streets and bought into the shelter so they can have food and play with others. They are all so dirty, have all sorts of illnesses- the common one being a fever and scabies.You cant hel but want to hug them even after seeing them in such a bad way. The older boys- aged betweem 16-19 just come in for the food most of the time. Most of them are kids that are involved in gangs and are dug abusers. You can see tip ex on their hands which is what they snort to get high. I havent found myself to be able to get chatting to them much yet because it can be quite intimidating when there are a bunch of boys oogling and speaking in their own language about you and you have no idea what they are saying- not like id want to know either!!! In time i will become more tolerant and it wont get to mebut at the moment i just enjoy being around the kids. Im starting to form bonds with some of them and every day they make me promise them that i will come back the next day. They are so cheerful despite being so poor, living it so rough and some having no parents. All they really want is love. One of the boys in the centre, around 10, touched my heart yday. He offered me his lunch and to buy me a pani puri with the last coin he had in his pocket and whilst playing a game offered me his chocolate that he won. It brings a tear to your eye that someone could have such a big heart like that when they are the ones that are starving.
Anyway apart from working, i have been going out alot too. Aparna's (cousin)salon is so close to my place so i have already had a few treatments there after work. Last night there was a bar launch party (invite only) that i went to with my house mates. Had a really good night there.
i will be back- money runnign out
