Day 8

A week ago today we were only beginning our journey to India- can you believe it? Time flies when you're having fun!

Day 4 in Tigri was started with heart felt devotions by Steph who used a moving poem called 'Life is' by Mother Teresa to try and express what the team has learnt on this trip from the people of ASHA so far. We are very proud of Steph for sharing her thoughts on behalf of the whole team! We all sang our hearts out to '10,000 Reasons' and 'I've got that Joy in my Heart'. 

There were two more lane visits today where the rest of the team were confronted with the harsh reality of slum life in Delhi. It was amazing to finally see the homes of so many people that we, as a team, have become so close to over the last week. It was so heartwarming how highly the children valued their possessions, including crafts which we made with them as they took pride of place on the walls of their homes. 

It was a truly humbling experience as they all live in conditions which, for us, are unfathomable.  

While the first group was away, Suzanne led her first lesson on 'Animals and Their Young' to the children, who thoroughly enjoyed the games and the song she included.

Katie then helped them to make lion masks which went down a treat! The kids were their usual enthusiastic selves and got fully involved in the lesson. She also integrated a game of snap which the juniors absolutely loved! 

At noon, the Mihal Mandal Ladies Group visited us in the ASHA centre and Sweeta helped translate the conversation between the team and the ladies. It was inspiring to hear the roles of each and every one of them, particularly Gudy who is a Community Health Officer within the slum. Gudy has been trained to take blood pressure, temperature, administer injections etc and has worked in Tigri for a very impressive 25 years. The work the ladies do in the slums is amazing and the progress they have made in women's health is the slum is life-changing, it was a great pleasure to be able to meet them today. 

Cricket played another key role in proceedings today with John finally remembering the supplies... This led to much fun and laughter and, as you'd expect, many lost balls.

The afternoon meant another trip into old McDonald's farm for Suzanne and her fellow teachers, which was followed by some seriously dodgy dancing from us and the kids to end the day at Tigri.

The day was capped off by a quite extraordinary evening at Dr Kiran's apartment filled with amazing company, food, and most of all- dancing! It was amazing to meet Dr Kiran and Dillip again so long after our first encounter at Wallace High School in March. It was also the first opportunity for the girls to show off their newly delivered saris. However one detail stole the show- smiley faces and ketchup for Adam!

We are so thankful to Doctor Kiran for hosting us, we had an amazing Halloween night and danced until our feet were sore! 

Thanks for reading our blog every night, we look forward to reading your comments each morning! 

Wifi is slow again tonight, so look out for some more photos in the morning.

Also a special mention to Brooke, Ethan and Jonah for lending us their daddy- he will be back home soon!

Goodnight from Lauren, Matt, Katie and Suzanne xxx

(Some more photos as the wifi was bad last night!)