Day 3 - Thus., February 27, 2015
Thursday, 9:00 pm - The students reported that the
takeaway from the music workshop with Guru Prajapati was that you
need money to survive, so work hard and save. “The music was beyond
us, but we now know that if you are a hardworking musician you can
have a good living”—much better than those labourers outside the
studio likely earning 10,000 Rs a month (less than $200).
Around the corner, lunch by the lake at the Little Prince was delightfully bourgeoisie. A good solid thali in sparkling new trays. Israeli tourists smoking something quite fragrant at the next table. No dancing afterwards, but a chorus of food “Achas!” Thanks Pappu, Ravi, Shamus and crew.
Around the corner, lunch by the lake at the Little Prince was delightfully bourgeoisie. A good solid thali in sparkling new trays. Israeli tourists smoking something quite fragrant at the next table. No dancing afterwards, but a chorus of food “Achas!” Thanks Pappu, Ravi, Shamus and crew.
A baker’s dozen of us then crammed like happy sardines into Roshan’s autorickshaw. Where’s a camera crew when you need one?
Everybody opened up at the dental clinic with Dr. Richa Bansal. A brief examination of each student revealed some typical youth challenges like incorrect brushing, and a high risk from chewing the supari nut, which is abundant in the Bakhel area. It can even cause infertility in women. Young Dr. Garima then engaged the children in a discussion of good hygiene and on being a dentist. Everybody took home a new toothbrush, a Ganpati plaque and a sweet drink. From Sohan: "There are many big machines for a dental check-up. I was scared when one lady was checking my teeth with instruments." But he liked it anyway because it is "such a nice hospital."
Next, a quick visit to Gujurati Toys at busy Hatipole. We’d agreed on one shopping spree at which each child had 150 Rs to spend. What in the world could have motivated such purchases as blond Barbie dolls and plastic, flashing motorcycles? The girls reported they had never played with this type of doll. Their parents don't buy them toys.
The AALIM Charitable Trust Knowledge Centre’s library was a short walk. This new, quiet public space is open evenings for local students to do homework and learn computer basics. Retired Colonel Sirajuddin operates the Trust out of his restored family home. Volunteer librarian Firdous Nath shared his personal ambition of becoming a computer science engineer. This second-year university student has a love for organizing things, which is rewarded at the library. Four young women who volunteer on Sundays—Fatima, Nilofer, Abida and Kaneez--encouraged the students to “dream big,” and that “money is important but it won’t make all your dreams come true.” The Colonel’s son and daughter-in-law, Sikander and Ashima, popped in on a brief home leave from Angola. Ashima animated the kids with rhythm games focusing on “your future and how the library can help you get there.” The Colonel encouraged the students as the “future of Bakhel,” emphasizing that “we can provide you with the books—but you have to read them.” And he affirmed that the Trust has never turned down a legitimate application from a hardworking and needy student. The generous gifts of geometry sets and chocolates for the kids, and the Colonel’s recently penned memoir for us adults, were very much appreciated.
Everybody opened up at the dental clinic with Dr. Richa Bansal. A brief examination of each student revealed some typical youth challenges like incorrect brushing, and a high risk from chewing the supari nut, which is abundant in the Bakhel area. It can even cause infertility in women. Young Dr. Garima then engaged the children in a discussion of good hygiene and on being a dentist. Everybody took home a new toothbrush, a Ganpati plaque and a sweet drink. From Sohan: "There are many big machines for a dental check-up. I was scared when one lady was checking my teeth with instruments." But he liked it anyway because it is "such a nice hospital."
Next, a quick visit to Gujurati Toys at busy Hatipole. We’d agreed on one shopping spree at which each child had 150 Rs to spend. What in the world could have motivated such purchases as blond Barbie dolls and plastic, flashing motorcycles? The girls reported they had never played with this type of doll. Their parents don't buy them toys.
The AALIM Charitable Trust Knowledge Centre’s library was a short walk. This new, quiet public space is open evenings for local students to do homework and learn computer basics. Retired Colonel Sirajuddin operates the Trust out of his restored family home. Volunteer librarian Firdous Nath shared his personal ambition of becoming a computer science engineer. This second-year university student has a love for organizing things, which is rewarded at the library. Four young women who volunteer on Sundays—Fatima, Nilofer, Abida and Kaneez--encouraged the students to “dream big,” and that “money is important but it won’t make all your dreams come true.” The Colonel’s son and daughter-in-law, Sikander and Ashima, popped in on a brief home leave from Angola. Ashima animated the kids with rhythm games focusing on “your future and how the library can help you get there.” The Colonel encouraged the students as the “future of Bakhel,” emphasizing that “we can provide you with the books—but you have to read them.” And he affirmed that the Trust has never turned down a legitimate application from a hardworking and needy student. The generous gifts of geometry sets and chocolates for the kids, and the Colonel’s recently penned memoir for us adults, were very much appreciated.
Last stop, the Bagore Ki Haveli dance extravaganza: a captivating hour of the best of colourfully choreographed Rajasthani folk art. Sumitra—one of our more quiet and thoughtful students—responded to the call for a volunteer by jumping up on stage to manipulate one of the puppets. Budding artist? Personal manager? We hope she will be pulling strings for Bakhel in the near future.