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    Preema works with street children in the YMCA My journey in India!!!!

    Modelling Pictures

    UNITED KINGDOM | Friday, 30 January 2009 | Views [613] | Comments [9]

    Hi there- have quickly popped into a net cafe and thought id send you some pics from the latest asiana magazine that was out a couple of days ago. I know im due to update my journal with a whole lot of pics but they take absolutely ages to upload from these comps.

    The last few days of work have been tiring as I have been doing full shifts. It can get too much when you have children jumping all over you with so much energy at 10 in the morning through till the end of the day!!! I did end up giving all the young kids a bath- they loved it! They knew that if they all showered they would be treated to some chocolates so they all got their kit off in seconds! Once showered i put talcom powder all over them which they loved the smell of. SOme of the babies even tried to eat it. I managed to get some teaching done during the day which i was quite surprised about because the kids just like playing most of the time and have a short attention span. We did animals, parts of the body and fruits and then they all started drawing and colouring. SOme kids are willing to learn but the rest just muck around and distract the clever ones which can get frustrating. The older ones i really dont bother with at the moment especially after a little incident yday. WE play a memory game just before lunch where kids pick up 2 picture cards and if they match they get a chocolate and if they dont they put them down. I gave all the kids that won some chocolates and then felt it would only be fair to give the others some aswell. Stupidly i had a whole bunch in my hand and tried to hand them out. Lesson 1 learnt- Always make them sit down and then give them food/drink otherwise they are like rats around you!!! Anyway an older kid that already got given a chocoate came up to ask for another one. I told him he had already had a few and these were for the others. Being a hero he decides to pull a blade out of his pocket and jokingly threaten me to give him one. I looked at him in disgust and just told him to walk away. He and everyone else knew i was hacked off and for the rest of the day i completely ignored him and didnt even serve him a drink! It probably wasnt meant in a serious way as kids always carry around these kind of items- probably just to show how macho they are but i wasnt having any of it. I didnt see him at the shelter today but im sure his mut will appear soon! lol

    Apart from my work- i have been out most evenings with friends or family. A couple of my housemates have completed their projects and are off to other countries so we went out for leaving drinks the other day. its annoying that everything closes at 11.30 here but we just carry on the party at our place!

    This weekend i am staying at aparnas place. We will go shopping and tonight are heading to a few bars and clubs. Tomorrow there is barbeque at their place for karishmas hubbies bday.Im looking forward to staying in a nice comfortable place! Other than that everything is all good here. Cant believe that its nearly 2 weeks that i have been here- only 2 more weeks to go and this project will be over! So far,so good!

    Anyway will update u again soon. Will try and upload some other pics soon!

    Lots of love

    xxx

    Comments

    1

    Hi Preema -Hang in there -you are doing well! That boy was silly to pull out a blade, though understandble given his background. But be very careful with your personal security - we know kids anywhere can do the silliest of things without meaning to harm. I hope you reported the incident to the head in the organisation. Clearly such poor kids need all the love, education and perosnal nurturing besides food and shleter. They know no better. Education is the best answer, and I'm sure with your gentle and persuasive ways, you can are making a big difference to thier lives, albeit temporary perhaps. Bad Indian governance/politicans are to be blamed. It's a massive problem, but you are doing your best perosnal level. Re night life, yes, everything there closes earlier, though perhaps a good way to curb yob culture, street-vilolence and vandalism that we commonly see in UK. But bad thing as loss of freedom for those law-abiding people who can take care of themselves and not be a nusiance to the society at large on thier nights out. Hasnt time has flown fast since you got there? But pls dont return home in a rush: it's still cold, dreary and depressing here never mind the global credit crunch! Next stop perhaps Bombay for an equally worthwhile cause or even doing a temp 'worthy' job to contnue enjoying India even longer? I would - this is a rare and best opportunity for you to make the most of! Will speak by phone later. Miss you lots. Loads of love, Dad

      Dad Jan 30, 2009 10:39 PM

    2

    Hi Preema,
    Sorry I haven't reponded since my e-mail, which I think I sentwithout linking to your travel log! Don't know whether you received it! I am useless with computers! I am hoping you wiill receive this one!
    Your travel journals make very interesting reading and we really envy you! You are doing an excellent job with the homeless children and at thje same time having a good time on the social scene, making new friends and getting to know the cousins and aunts in Bangalore!
    Distressed to learn of the nasty knife incident but I think you handled it well with tact and firmness! Just shows displaying authority and firmness in such situations pays off!
    On a lighter note, you are getting good training for the future by bathing and looking after youn children!
    Bangalore is an interesting city and I think you have made a fine choice. I know you are very busy but if you can spoare short time, it wouls really be very interesting if you can Sai Baba's "specialty" hospitals
    in Bangalore. They are run very efficiently purely by volunteer doctors and nurses from all over the world! The architecture of the buildings is even breathtaking! They are very clean with marble floors etc. etc! They have a nuerological one and another one which deals with heart operations. Both worth visiting and if you can get a guided tour, even better because they are very educational!
    We are welll here and working hard and waiting for warm weather, which seems a long way off!
    Take care.
    Lots of love and take care.
    Rashmiuncle and Arvindaaunty

      Rashmiuncle Jan 31, 2009 5:36 AM

    3

    Hi Preema. Have been keeping up with your up-dates and enjoyed reading ur adventures to date. You handled the knife weilding kid very calmly and maturely..proud of our sshmart preemlo! Am sure he would not have done harm, but its good you did not show fear..look em straight in the eye and talk calmly and firmly to them.
    As dad says - hang on in there and spend some good time travelling around and in Mumbai..I did a 3month trip just when you were about to be born in 83 with great memories. Also fly by and stop over in Dubai for a stopover?
    Keep up the great work and enjoy the experience.

    Love Nishunclexx

      Nishituncle Feb 1, 2009 12:59 AM

    4

    Hey Preema,

    Love reading your journal! I guess you understand how I feel every time I go back. Life is just amazing in India! So enjoy it all, and make the most of it.
    Yeah! The whole 11:30 curfew is ridiculous but life is still happening after.
    Great work with the kids! Looking forward to seeing all your photos.

    Love to all the family. Tc Priyanka x

      Priyanka Feb 2, 2009 3:12 AM

    5

    Hi Sis,
    I'm back in london now!! I flew back yesterday, still feeling incrediby jet lagged and missing it soo much. Vegas and San Francisco were amazing..we are already planning our next trip!
    lots to update you on when you're back. Akhil's staying on an extra week in the US, as I'm going off to start a new audit in Poole tomorrow for 3 weeks.

    Its snowing really heavily here at the moment.. you are very lucky to be in sunnier climates my dear...

    Anyway, I've been catching up on your blogs..Its been so interesting reading about all your outings and experiences so far....abs love it hun! Its so great to hear that you're making the most of all the opportunities out there. Not surprised that the Indian Papparazzi are on to you already...he he I look forward to seeing your picture in the Bangalore times.

    You have some lovely cousins out there...and it sounds like they're really showing you a great time. I can't believe 2 weeks are over already?! You've been exploring Bangalore..and working with these kids.. which no doubt has been very draining at times...but you will definitey be making a difference to their lives, in some manner or another. Its good that you've been able to strike a balance and enjoy the rest of the pleasures that India has to offer.

    Although i was horrified reading about the knife incident. It doesnt surprise me at what these boys are capable of, esp given their unstable backgrounds. Its a sad reality. I think your dad is absolutely right that you should flag it to someone, though i know its difficult for anyone prevent these things from happening. Saying that, you handled the situation brilliantly. I know you wont take any crap and i'm sure you're realising as time goes on, the importance of being ruthless when it comes to handling these kids.

    Anyway... just think you're only at the beginning of your journey in India..wait till you get to Mumbai and Goa.. you'll love it...there is so much ahead of you..

    I would think about extending your trip too hun, depending on the opportunities that are available ofcourse. Missing you heaps... keep up the good work and enjoy every minute of this precious time you have. Your modelling pictures are stunning... look forward to the rest of the piccies and updates.

    lots of love and Big Hugs.
    Shantu


      Shantu Feb 2, 2009 11:03 AM

    6

    Hey Preems

    It's really good to hear of your exploits through this journal..keep it up!

    Looks like you are doing some great work..working with kids is a challenge at the best of times and well done on handling the knife incident so calmly, not sure what I would have done!

    Anyway, glad you are having fun, as everyone above has said don't hurry back it is COLD and we're stuck in inches of snow so enjoy it out there while you can!!

    Speak soon.
    Take care
    Beej xx

      Beejal Feb 2, 2009 9:23 PM

    7

    Hiya Preemu
    Welldone! You are meeting with the challenges of working with the street kids in Banglore.It actually sets the scene for the future work if you plan to continue.I will send you couple of sites in Mumbai,for you to consider.
    Glad you have an outlet at the end of the day with cousins!well needed uplift!
    London is bismal at the moment with standstill traffic and gloomy snowy weather with freezing temperatures.Right now i would be prepared to do any street work in any sunny country to see blue skies! but hey three days and I will be out in sunny Dubai.
    Embrace the weather and count your lucky stars!!!
    Take care
    mala aunt

      Mala Feb 2, 2009 9:39 PM

    8

    Hi Preemlo, As everyone seems to say, you are missing nothing here other than the obvious things and people, and now not even the snow....brrrr! Stick around: UK is almost bankrupt they say; India is relatively better off in many ways with lots to do, enjoy and to recharge anyone's batteries for the long term! Oh, and DONT even bother to wrap up well! Take care. Loads of love, Dad

      Dad Feb 2, 2009 10:56 PM

    9

    Hey Hunny

    I love reading all your detailed blogs, they are fab! so glad ur having a good time and enjoying the experience. Loving your new pics and cant wait to see the rest! Cant believe that you are already in week 3, time flys when your having fun. Well you eep us updated and be safe. love u lots my preemy xxxx

      Bhavisha Savani Feb 4, 2009 8:49 AM

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