!ndia 2013: Birthdays and Beaches

Birthdays and Beaches

WOW! I could not have asked for a more special way to spend my 20 birthday than to be in India. As one of the many September babies in our program I celebrated my birthday numerous times in different ways... 1st I was able to celebrate at Namma Bhoomi with the school children, 2nd I was able to celebrate with my (almost) birthday twin and lovely friend Coral, and 3rd I was able to celebrate on the day of my birthday.

Our trip to Namma Bhoomi was not only a time of celebration but also a time of making relationships. The first trip that we made to Namma Bhoomi was in August, during which we learned about the purpose and framework of the school (see previous post about NB). This time our purpose was to spend time with the children and work as a team to provide a unique and memorable experience for them.

During the morning (10:00am-12:45am) we were separated into 4 groups; measuring, coloring, games, and gardening. I chose to help with the gardening project. The school strives to be self sustainable and the garden is one step aimed at reaching that goal. For our part, we worked with a group of about 25 children to clear a plot of land, level out the surface, and line the edge of the garden bed with large stones. This work was both physically and emotionally rewarding. We not only were able to break land and see the garden bed come together but we were also able to bond with the children over our blisters and herpetophobia (fear of reptiles or creepy, crawly things). There is no better feeling than getting a little dirt on your kurta in the process of giving back to an organization that has done so much for such wonderful children.

We broke bread with the students in their dinning commons and the meal was fabulous! After lunch we spoke with one of the program coordinators about the work done in the classroom. Namma Bhoomi focuses on democracy and giving children autonomy. Their education model is similar in some ways to the Montessori model in that; the children have the freedom to choose what they work on each day, the classrooms are mixed ages, concepts are learned through working with materials and teaching tools, and teachers are there for guidance not lecture style learning. We were invited to support the school by develop teaching materials such as flash cards, educational games, counting tools, and language props. I am thinking about developing tools for teaching health education or biology!

In the afternoon, we were divided into small groups and explored our artistic sides. One group made masks, another did henna and the third danced. The children had an absolute blast and we did as well! At the end of the day we all met outside and the children sang us happy birthday in english and Hindi. Then we shared home-baked cookies and said our goodbyes.

Beaches

On Sunday, September 14th, a few friends and I traveled to Malpe beach, located in Udupi just around 20 minutes from Manipal. It was a beautiful and sunny day and I got my first bit of color as we walked up and down the beach. The water was lovely and it was a great way to celebrate.

On my birthday I went on an adventure with my roommate, some mutual friends, and a friend that I met while traveling. We went in search of a large waterfall around an hour and 45 minutes away from Manipal. Once again we didn't ever make it to the falls but after a long trek we found a farmer who showed us to the river somewhere in the middle of the forest. After a challenging bus ride home via. public transportation, we went out to dinner at our favorite local restaurant and got oreo milkshakes at a local fast food joint. It was a fabulous way to spend my birthday; low key but it is always lovely to spend time with friends.