Wow what an eye-opener I had this afternoon, I am so grateful I was able to do this to share it with you guys then. This makes me so thankful for what I have back at home and I hope after seeing the photos and what the families had to tell me I hope you feel the same way.
After teaching English this morning and then playing sports with the children I was given the opportunity to go and visit some of the children’s homes in the local community.
I’m not going to explain much about my experience as this does not sum up my experience so I took so many photos to enjoy. All I will say is that everyone was so welcoming and wanted me to sit with the family giving me water and food I could still be there now with the first family! When I was walking around the area all the children kept saying Hi and wanting to show me where they live. I did get told that some of the children keep asking if the English girl is coming back, I am the hot topic in the local community!
When I was going round I did ask the familiies some questions to which I wanted to share.
First question was all about how do the Magic Bus supported their child.
The most popular answer I got was it gives them the opportunity to play activities like football which they can’t do at home. Being able to play football allows them to make new friends which is something all the parents seem to be very passionate about. They kept saying that they wished Magic Bus had formed when they were younger, which to me shows something about how this has been able to support their children.
The next most popular answer I got was that they have grown up so much, they are so much more mature. Magic Bus has been able to teach them skills like teamwork and communication which is so key for children when they are growing up.
The next question was have you seen a significant development in your child since joining Magic Bus?
Well, the first thing that was said before I even finished my sentence was, of course, that is why I am so keen for my children to go for their development. Due to there being so many different answers, I thought I might just summarise the answers. Since Magic Bus allowed their children to join, they have seen a massive change in their behaviour in a good way. Magic Bus allows the children to learn because there are no learning opportunities here for this. Children have grown in so much confidence, which has allowed some of the children to go on and win sports trophies. They went on to talk about how the Magic Bus gives the children a break from where they are living which is so nice.
Up next I wanted to ask the families that since I have been here what have the children thought of it.
Well from the answer I felt so pleased that I was able to make such an impact. Most children came home and the first thing they said was there is an English girl who has come over to see us and play with us, some parents did not believe this at first. The parents said that I was just an inspiration to the children and that they are so grateful for what I am doing, they wish they had this opportunity.
To contunie my questions I asked the parents about the benefits of Magic Bus and what are their childrens favouirte part of Magic Bus.
The most popular answer was that the children can gain knowledge about the place they are living in which allows them to learn more the parents hope their children don’t have to live in the slums for the rest of their lives. They have also matured so much through the use of the different activities which allows them to progress through life and hopefully end up with a good paying job. The children all seem to love football and just being outside running around which I am so pleased to hear as I feel this is the most important part of life!
Just seeing and walking through this just made me realise how lucky I am. For reference children walk down this every day and on the left when looking at the photo are peoples housing I just don’t think I could walk out looking at this every day knowing there are rats that is an absoulte NO for me.
The families were saying this is their joint garden and where the children hang out. The children are unaware of anything different this is where they all grew up.
This is someone’s house 8 people sleep here. This house only has one room this is where they cook, sleep and chill out. I wished I could see all 8 people sleep here as I can’t imagine this at all, I just think I would be too hot and get annotyed if someone rolled over onto me! He did go onto saying outside two people can sleep on a single bed but it was on the floor, he seemed chilled about that and didn’t seem to understand my fear of rats!
This is the kitchen table! When they eat they are eating on the floor and with their hands, it saves washing up and paying for table and chairs! I have yet to eat with my hands but don’t see how they don’t make a mess!
Of course, I had to add this! These are wild goats they eat the rubbish left on the floor, they seem friendly but will not try and touch them as my luck I’ll end up in the hospital and I don’t think anyone will feel sorry for me after being told DON’T touch any animal even if it looks cute!
This is the main road, as you can see no street lights. What you may think is not normal is no street lines this is for a later blog but Indian driver don’t need these lines they drive where ever they feel is the fatest route!
Just an example of one of the housing on the main road. Upstairs and downstairs are the family home.
Just a photo of me being welcomed into the boys’ house. Just wanted to share this to show how happy and welcoming he is of me coming. He was showing me around his whole house and where eveyone stays.
Just a photo of me walking down the street.
Just realised how big this slum is and how much litter is everywhere. Between me and the next lot of slums is hte sea, there is a local business here where any broken boats are brought here and are fixed. This made me appreciate my view outside my window and how I look over green grass and in the far distance housing but knowing they see this every day was to me sad and the main reason to why I want to get people out of the slums.
A photo of me being welcomed into a family home. I’ve played football with the boy in the Magic Bus top and the girl in the Magic Bus top supports the football sessions. I thought I would add that the average amount of people living in a house is seven normally the children’s grandparents live here with the children’s mother this is a tradition they have.
I hope after seeing these photos and reading about what the parents have to say makes you realise how lucky you are. For me it does and would make me think how lucky I am. If you wish to make a difference and get these children out of the slums, please donate (please see my donation page) I’m not asking for much, every little bit counts and adds up.
I hope to share with you more experiences of going into the slums to hope to make people more aware of the hidden reality of India the side that people don’t see in a true reflection.