Day 10

After a yummy breakfast at 8.30am, the girls put on their stunning saris and the boys were looking wonderful as always in their Indian attire. However, besides the fact that they looked great, there were no marriage proposals for them today.

We then set off on our final journey to our favourite place - Tigri. Everyone felt mixed emotions. We were sad it was soon going to be over, but happy that we could see the children one last time. We all felt (and still feel) extremely thankful to be given this opportunity. As we approached the centre we saw all of the children's smiling faces, which reminded us of the reason why we are here. 

When we got there the ladies took one look at our saris and requested that they help us out. Let's just say they looked much better when they were finished. The Asha staff held a thank-you celebration for us where we heard some inspiring words from the college students and children we have got to know over the week. Then Jonny and Katie expressed our thanks to them - they do not realise how much they have changed our lives. Their generosity, humility and passion to succeed have touched our hearts.

After a lot of dancing, photographs and a few tears, it was time to leave Tigri for the last time. As the taxis pulled away, we looked at the cards and gifts the children had made for us and reminisced about the life-changing week we have had. 

After our tearful goodbyes, we needed a cheer-me-up coffee and pastry at the very grand and impressive Imperial Hotel followed by a hard earned hour in the 6-storey Cottage Emporium, where there were many presents and souvenirs purchased for friends and family.

We only had 35 minutes to rest and get ready for our last dinner together. We shared the evening with the Armagh team in Hard Rock Cafe. Despite the long wait for our food, we enjoyed a night of dancing to the YMCA and lots of other top tunes before a delicious dinner. 

At our team meeting tonight we all shared our thoughts, thanks and experiences of this amazing trip. It has been challenging for everyone and has the potential to be life-changing. We hope to remember everything we have experienced and use it each day when we get back home to Ballymena. 

Jessica, Matt and Aimee 

Here are some final thoughts from each of us at the end of our trip:

Zak - The past ten days in India have been an unforgettable experience. From the sights and smells to the terrifying traffic, this country has captivated me. I was amazed by the Taj Mahal and all of the amazing places we saw. However for me, my favourite place is definitely Tigri. I have made some incredible friends for life, who have treated me like family. They have also taught me so much about myself and how I should change my current ways, from selfishness to thinking more about others. I feel as though I will leave a piece of my heart here in India, and I really hope I can return. Thank you all so much for your comments over our trip, and for mum's daily sports reports!!!

Matt- India has been an experience unlike anything I could have possibly imagined. It is incredible to see what can grow from so little into so much. This time last year I barely knew anyone from the team and no one from Tigri but now we are like family- my ASHA family. They will never understand the impact that they've had on me, not just for these ten days, but for the rest of my life. I cannot wait to share what I have learnt with everyone at home and hope that they too can benefit from this experience.

Jessica - Wow! What an experience! I came to India with the intention of helping the children in the slums, but in reality they have helped me in ways they will never imagine. Seeing their love for learning and their passion for education has encouraged me to value the opportunities I have. The smiles on their faces have made me want to stay positive when I struggle with "first world problems". This trip has made me realise how lucky we are to have the kind of lives we do. I hope when I am home I will remember how thankful I feel right now. I wish to keep the close friendships I have made with the team and that we can help each other when we struggle at home. I hope this trip changes my life.

Susanna- India has been a pretty amazing experience, I don't think I ever fully imagined all I would learn from the trip and how it will hopefully change me. The joy strikes me every time, their smiles go deep they have such love and compassion for others and don't want to see each other sad, celebrating in each other's success. The people of Tigri will never understand how grateful I am for meeting them and I hope to be so much more appreciative when I return home

Aimee - the past 10 days have been the best days of my entire life. I am so grateful for the opportunity I was given and my experience in Tigri is one that I will never forget. I have learned so much from the children and the students there. They may have very little money, but the people of Tigri are rich in so many other ways. They are filled with love, joy and compassion - things that are more important than anything else in life.

Rachelle- India has been amazing! Nothing can compare to the children's joy that has spread throughout our team. I have made so many incredible memories and built so many friendships. The Taj Mahal was beautiful but didn't compare to the beauty of the people's  personalities. I wish I could stay forever working with the children. It is an experience I will never forget.

Bethan- I don't think my heart will ever love another country like India! The people, sights and general atmosphere have been phenomenal! My team has been the best I could ask for and the kindness shown to all of the team members by the children, staff at the centre and even strangers has touched my heart in a way that can't even be explained! It will be impossible to forget this place! 

Laura- I will never forget my time in India.  It has taught me so much and has been the best experience ever.  The team has been so supportive and we have shared many memories together.  Everyone at the Asha centre has been so welcoming and kind to each of us.  I know I will never forget my time at Tigri.  

Stephanie- what an unbelievable, life-changing experience. I will never forget the children and students I met at Tigri- they completely exceeded my expectations. It was an emotional time leaving them today but I know their motivation for education and life will allow them to succeed in whatever they want to do! I feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity to experience first hand the work of Dr Kiran Martin and ASHA!

Katie- The past 10 days have been the best days of my life! The children and students of Tigri are my inspiration to be a better, more appreciative person. I love their passion for education. I love their unique, wonderful personalities! It was tough to say goodbye... But I know I have made friends for life!! I am so thankful for this opportunity. Massive thank you to Catherine, Toni and John for organising this amazing trip! 

Suzanne- Everything about this trip has been unbelievable! The children and the students at Tigri are the most amazing people I have ever met and I'm so thankful for this opportunity to build friendships with them. Their happiness is contagious and their passion for education can only be admired! I am so grateful to have shared these memories with such an amazing bunch of people, I know we will be friends for life. Thanks to everyone who made this trip so memorable for me and a massive shoutout to Catherine, Toni and John for organising everything to do with this unforgettable trip! 

Lauren- The past 10 days have been the best of my life! I have enjoyed every minute of it. I have been affected so greatly by each and every person I have met. Their smiles, passion and laughter are so infectious. They have challenged me to become a better person. Over the course our time, I have built life long friendships. Today was one of the hardest days of my life, leaving the most amazing children I have ever met! Watching them weep as we were leaving was so heartbreaking but I am so excited for what their future holds! 

Erin- I find it hard to summarise the trip in a few sentences, it almost happened in a blur with time flying by as every day was as exciting and fun as the rest. All I can say is thank you to the teachers: without them the trip would never run and just wouldn't be the same. I also wouldn't have the guts to take responsibility for others' children in such a crazy and unpredictable place so I am forever grateful for them. This trip will resonate with me forever, with Tigri always holding a special place in my heart. Each child and student taught me something new, whether it was a new Hindi word or how to demonstrate unconditional love. Asha has truly made me realise how happiness can lie within everyone regardless of their story and past. My quote of the trip and one I hope to live by is "we feel the joy all the time". Tigri: I'll be back soon!!

Adam - During these 10 days I have truly learned the meaning of life. I have discovered that upholding the key values of what makes you a good person will also make you a happy one. I have also learned that Asha really does give hope and that the Tigri children know that Asha has given them hope to succeed in their dreams.  A perfect quote from Ankush, "Without Asha I am nothing, with Asha I am something." TIGRI, Maintumhe yaad karunga!,

Jonny- I can't begin to describe how much I have learnt from the children of Tigri. Despite the beautiful sights we have seen in this stunning country, I have always wanted more than anything to get back to those kids. Both the Bal Mandal and older students have taught us so much about life and I can't wait to practise what they've taught us when we come home. This is a city that really doesn't sleep and a city that I have fallen in love with. It would be a dream of mine to return to Tigri to see how the children have grown up and prospered in this charity that is essential to inspire thousands more in the future.