Friday 31st October - Today, sadly, was our last day to spend with the beautiful people of Tigri. Before heading to Tigri, our first port of call was the Asha HQ where we had a debrief and discussed and fed back about our experiences and observations. We were also encouraged to give any further suggestions on how Asha can improve the Asha centre in Tigri and the overall experience for visitors. We then made our way to Tigri where we were treated to a cooked lunch by the Asha team which was a welcome treat after a week of sandwiches pasted with varying toppings ranging from Peanut butter, fish paste, sandwich spread, tuna mayo, Marmite or Nutella!

After our generous and tasty lunch the room was prepared for the celebration. A few ladies from our team had bought sari's and were assisted by the Asha team members to put them on. Whilst the fittings were going on the children and students were ushered in. Once everyone had been seated the speeches began. We listened as three students described their personal journeys with Asha and how much they have benefitted so far and been supported by Asha. Likewise, Amanda, Chris, and Heather shared with everyone their experiences. Once the speeches were said it was time for some music in the form of singing and dancing! The next hour proceeded with us alternating between a song by our team and a dance by the children. By the end of it we were all dancing with the children who taught us some 'moves' Bollywood style which some managed better than others. The default was the 'changing the light bulbs' move! The music varied between slower drumbeats to faster drumbeats which by the end of it left us all laughing and exhausted. Not so for the children! As the celebration came to an end we had to say goodbye to the children and students as it was time for them to go home. Each one said goodbye in their own way and it was a bittersweet event for all concerned. Our team then had the opportunity to pray for the Asha team and bless them with gifts. They have looked after us so well since day 1 and have worked very hard to make us feel welcomed and comfortable. They are a blessing and key component in Tigri and we hope that God will continue to bless their work as they persevere in such a challenging environment.

It was then time to make our way back to the YWCA. Our timing couldn't have been worse as we hit peak traffic on a Friday evening. It was bonkers! Between the jamming traffic and the random herds of cows walking along the road we finally got back safely to our hostel. Our driver was cool as a cucumber under the pressure and has been such a brilliant driver this whole time!

Tomorrow we spend our day sightseeing in the old part of Delhi with some of the students from Tigri. It is difficult to believe that a week has flown by and that our time in India will come to an end. It has been a whirlwind tour but at the same time a lot has been achieved and many memories made. The people of India and especially Tigri have left an impression on me which I will never forget. They have so little but yet so much and love so wholeheartedly, even strangers from a far country who could never begin to try and identify with their suffering. I hope that our visit has brought them joy and made them realise that they are not forgotten, but are more loved and more precious to our Heavenly Father than they could ever imagine. They may be considered untouchable by some ranks of society but God has reached in to the depth and darkness of their suffering and pain to give them hope through the work and love of Asha so that in turn they can be empowered to change their communities and work towards a brighter and successful future for their families and generations to come. Roanna Grims

Thursday - Today was our last 'working' day in Tigri. Durning the morning devotion we adventurously sung a Hindi song. After this Chris successfully set about explaining the Good Samaritan through a translator focusing on how we will always remember them as God does too. With only half a day to finish our 'Muriel' a few members of the team set to work finishing the wonderful jungle scene. Meanwhile the majority of the boys assembled outside for a collection of ball games which unsurprisingly quickly developed into a game of cricket. With some questionable bowling from the opposition I managed to loose all of my games :( despite these three considerable loses the children in my team still had broad smiles across their faces.

As the heat increased we retired inside for some crafts. Soon the rooms were full of card lions along with sari dressed card people. As lunch approached we finished our painting and put up our posters. Now that every room had some colourful decoration we were ready to pack away the last few days of mad mess. With the scissors, pens and paints cleared away we were ready  for our second excursion of the day.

Having spent four days in Tigri slum we took the exciting journey to Kalkiji slum. One of the first slums in which Asha worked we experienced the ways in which the slums vary. With taller slum buildings Kalkiji seems as though it is busier. In a similar manor to our first morning in Tigri we introduced our selves and had a time to ask question to a group of girls from the balmandl and to a  group of university students hearing about the ways in which they had helped to reduce tuberculosis in the area. The main difference in the Asha setup here was that there were more community health volunteers. They showed us their simple medicine boxes and explained how they ran their 'clinics'. After this we had a short slum visit and returned to the YWCA via Qutub Minar an amazing stone tower built in 1193.

Tomorrow will be our final day in Tigri, we will spend the morning in the Asha HQ and in the afternoon we will unveil our paintings in an end of week celebration in Tigiri. 

Wednesday -  a new day to face the incredible Delhi traffic, but with our Asha driver at the wheel we seem to weave our way and avoid major collisions!!
Our morning in Tigri began with a time of worship and prayer - Ken shared the passage Matthew 6 v25 -34 which was translated into Hindi for all to hear and we sang together.
We were asked to tell the children the Christmas story so, to make it fun and visual, we decided to put on a nativity show!!! The cast:
Mary:  Rachael
Joseph: Tom
Donkey: (no donkey as Chris decided he would rather be a shepherd) we made noises instead.
Inn keeper: Kim
Shepherds: Chris and Ken. (All made sheep noises)
Kings: Amanda, Karen, Christine - bearing gifts of ginger and sunglasses ( well you have to improvise in Delhi)
Angels: Roanna, Rafaela, Rosie
Narrator: Heather
Great performance by all and almost a standing ovation ( certainly a lot of clapping).
we are open to offers for the nativity at st. Stephens if you need volunteers!  Contact our agent!,
We then bust into massive craft activities of colouring Christmas story wheels and
Christmas cards and decorating Christmas trees with all the glitter and bling imaginable - everyone loved it.  We also taught the children to make loom band bracelets and rings etc.  Loom bands are now a favourite in Tigri.
Whilst some were having great fun with the craft, Chris was slaving in the lobby straddled on a bamboo ladder (dodgy rungs, in fact missing rungs) and others were continuing with the 'Muriel' which will be finished tomorrow.
In the afternoon, we were so pleased to meet the university students who were keen to learn about interview techniques.  We each had 3 students and we gave them mock interviews and then lots of advice, key skills and encouragement. They are amazing young people who through the most difficult situations have succeeded in obtaining degrees and are looking for jobs. We were glad to help.
A group went for a prayer walk and were invited into homes. Then began our journey home though the rush hour traffic ( actually it's always the rush hour here).
A few of us had the energy to go shopping before supper, so Amanda took us to the  Emporium where we enjoyed choosing some presents for the Tigri workers to be given later at the celebration party.
We have just enjoyed a varied selection of Indian foods for supper at the YWCA and having had a lovely chai tea we are all ready for bed.
Thank you for your prayers and support.  More news tomorrow. 

Today was our first full day at Tigri, and we started the day with the daily devotion singing"Our God is a great Big God" with actions that the children could join in.
 Soon after we split into groups, with half the team starting on painting the jungle themed wall Muriel which is already really starting to take shape. Other members of the team played a friendly cricket match with the boys,whilst the girls had great fun making friendship bracelets and having their nails painted with nail art and glitter. We also got to meet some more of the children and students, including two girls who both studied political science at Delhi University.
After a busy day we had a lovely dinner organised by Asha were we got to meet the other teams in Delhi as well as some of the main organisers and team leaders who were invited to share a few words about their experiences, including our very own Amanda. We also got to hear about some of Asha's more recent work and the great successes that are happening through their Student Ambassador and Internship programmes. The evening ended on a high with everyone excited for the future ambitions and work of Asha.

Day 4 - From Rags to Riches

At last we visit Tigri! Feeling like royalty as we entered the Asha Centre by being showered with flower petals. Once we'd settled in one of the rooms we got to meet the lovely children and staff. Each boy (as the girls were in school at this time - except for two who "forgot" to get up for school in time) introduced himself, giving his name, age and class, impressively in English. They then sang us a song accompanied by an excellent female drummer and in return we sang one for them too followed by our introductions.

After some crafts a few of us (Amanda, Chris, Rosie and Tom) went wandering round the slum with our ever so faithful guide Sweeta (not sure of the spelling), getting invited into people's very surprisingly clean and nicely decorated homes. We noticed a theme of pink paint for the walls.

Later our adventure was completely contrasted with "high tea" at the British High Commission with our ambassador James and three other Asha teams, two coming from Northern Ireland. We turned up in our finest Indian attire. Served by men in white suits with metal trays; we had a very British selection including cucumber and egg mayonnaise sandwiches. 

Sunday has been an amazing day here in Delhi, beautifully warm and sunny. Our morning began with a time of meditation, worship and prayer.  Our lovely Asha driver then met us and we began our whistle stop tour of Delhi.  Eleven seats for twelve means one sitting on the spare in the back with a particularly exciting view....

We packed in India Gate, Lodi Gardens, Humayun's tomb and the astonishing architecture of the B'hai temple, not to mention lunch at an American diner (thanks Jez)!  There has been a lot of fun and rather loud laughter.

It's been a strange waiting day, full of interest, unexpected sights and experiences, surprising juxtapositions and a wonderful holiday day.  But nonetheless a sense of waiting for the real beginning - our work in Tigri tomorrow.  Please pray for good sleep, some of the team are still very tired, and strength for the days ahead.  Love to all back home

We awoke Saturday morning to all the hustle and bustle of the Dehli traffic beeping and honking, which never seems to stop and after breakfast were driven over to Asha headquarters for introductions to the staff. It was good to hear more of the fantastic work that is done here. After tea and coffee we were driven over to the local market to buy clothes so that we blend in more with more traditional India clothes. We had a lot of fun choosing different outfits and even the lads managed to find some very smart clothes. After this it was back to the hostel being driven down wide avenues of exotic trees and plants, through death defying traffic where despite traffic lights and no doubt a Highway Code, there seems to be no adherence. Quite refreshing in a strange kind of way coming from the land of health and safety

The Asha Team 2014 was prayed for yesterday morning at the 10.30 am service at St Stephen's. So, we're now in the last few days before we fly off to Delhi. In fact we're going this Thursday which is Diwali, so the flight will probably be an experience in itself! Party time! We've also been surprised to find out that the temperature in Delhi has been 34 degrees C today, and it's going to continue around that temperature. It's gonna be hot!

Ken

2014 team preparations.

Excitement is  building for the 2014 St Stephens ASHA team.  It has been good getting to know one another as we prepare.  Amanda Clegg leads the team of Ken and Heather Brown,  Chris Askwith, Roanna Grims, Kim and Rachael Hare, Karen and Rosie Jones, Christine and Tom Milton and Rafaela Rollins. 

 

We had a brilliant day sponsored sightseeing in London but were not brave enough to hire all the Boris bikes.... Saturday sees our cake sale in Crown Road, a second curry night next week and Karen is holding a swishing party on Sunday 19 October.  We aim to raise £500 each as a gift to ASHA, a little way to go.  So, now you know who we are and we hope that you will enjoy joining our adventure by reading our blog and praying for us as we leave on Thursday 23rd - just over two weeks to go.

Posted by Christine Milton