Sorry folks I not been paying attention to the blog this week not that I have been that busy (I wish!) just didn’t think I had anything interesting to say. However it has been quite an eventful week.
Last week some transport was arranged to get me to the office and a young man took me to work and back. On Saturday he came to collect me a bit earlier from the office and as we came into Digapahandi we took a detour down one of the lanes. (discovered there are far more houses here than I thought.) ‘We go to my house’ he said ‘you drink coffee’ it did cross my mind that I could end up in the ditch somewhere but I had no option and it was just round the back of my house so I decided to go with the flow. He introduced me to his father and his wife, who scuttled off to make the coffee.
I was very surprised to see they had a fridge and a TV so either they have land or he is making a good living from the auto driving! He speaks some English, and his wife spoke a little too but as he left me in the company of his father for a while who had no English we sat and engaged in that universal language – smiling and nodding. The house gradually filled up with other family members and local children, all come to see the strange foreign person. People here are so friendly. I will have to get organised and make some oatcakes or (as Claire suggested) get some Irn brew shipped over so I can return their hospitality. Indians love anything sweet. Burns Night soon but no chance of haggis here – maybe I could make veggie version! No one to address the haggis though, pity Barry is not here!
Sunday my placement officer from VSO arrived. Praveen is a very interesting and well travelled guy. He has just spend 4 months in London studying at the London School of Economics and despite having no sight had ‘done Europe’ alone while he was in London, so he found the idea that the boss lady would not let me out very amusing. He has a good understanding of how it feels to be in a country where you don’t understand the language or the culture. We had a good meeting and I think we have moved forward. I am going to do some marketing, research, and set up a database. However its impossible for me to use my laptop as there is no means of transferring work to their PC, so still problems to be over come. Also no Internet at work so research is not easy – where’s the public library when you need it! I don’t know what he said to her but my boss has made a real effort to be kind, she gave me a necklace and some sweets, and came round on Thursday to put some red flowers in my hair. I have been asking her about cooking – Sue’s suggestion – and flattery worked, she is going to show me how to make some dishes!
The meeting seemed to have some positive effects work wise because on Tuesday I was taken out to an eye clinic in one of the villages. We have a portable eye-testing centre and people are provided with very subsidised specs. What with people touching my feet, me being ‘honoured guest’ and the organised chaos of it all, it was an interesting day. The head teacher of the village school invited me to spend the day at his school day. He has around 700 children – primary and secondary- and 12 teachers. So I hope I will be able to go. The village schools have very little – the children sit on the floor and are taught from a blackboard on the wall. I think secondary schools may be different, as India is proud of its education system, and I am sure city schools are well equipped. Difficult not to get involved as I could have streamline the eye clinic system dramatically. But decided I will write up my comments and suggestions. Difficult not to get emotionally involved too. A small girl wandered in who had virtually no sight. she was walking into the tables and chairs. Someone went to find her father who was outside talking to people. He was advised that he must take her to the hospital in Berhampur for assessment by the eye doctor there – they wandered off and maybe he will take her.But she will be included in our progamme and taught basic living skills and to use Braille, so some positive outcome for her.
Getting hotter here – and the man in the Internet shop tells me I will soon have to sleep with a wet towel over me head, as it will be around 45 degrees. Can’t wait! I already look a total mess what with all the bites etc, without my hair going all scraggy from sleeping under wet towels. Still no knows me here and I have my eyesight, and I can go hame if I want! So will be content with what I have.