Visit to India for the Grand Opening!

Well folks it has been almost 18 months - but finally all the hard work has paid off! Jack and Anna have recently returned from India, having been in Guwahati for the official opening of the children's facilities there - as sponsored by all of you!

This was a great visit and Anna was thrilled every minute of it. Jack and Anna went together and spent 5 days there, at the schools, orphanages and also the new centre for Juvenile Justice - opened in her honour.

She can be pictured here by the official plaque in her name. This was a great "Daddy Moment". On arriving for the official opening, the lights were out. Jack noticed the fuse had blown (the fuse box was open) so he got a chair and flicked the switch. Then the entire building was thrown into darkness, and 500 people started to scream.... another embarrassing moment for Anna.....

Part of the trip was a visit to the slums. This really hammered home just how hard some people have it. We were amazed at how the families could live in such squalor and yet the mothers still get the kids to school clean every day.

It was quite desperate. These people have more or less nothing. No sanitation or fresh water, little food, no space - families of 6 crowded into a space of 10ft by 8ft. Incredibly bad. Anna had some balloons with her which she gave to the kids and we had a bit of fun but this was a really grim part of the trip. The smell will stay with us forever. The people were very intrigued to see us there and for sure Anna was equally bewildered. She finally realised why it was so important that she had raised funds for them and made a difference.
The kids that live in this slum get picked up by a school bus every day and taken to the local (Childaid Network sponsored) school where they get basic education and are fed and cared for while they are there.

Indeed this little girl here goes to the school every day. Her brother does not go although is 8 years old. Martin Kasper and Jack tried to persuade the father that the son ought to go to school as well but the father just looked at them as if they were mad - how could this be of any help?
However, Anna did join the kids at school and they played a bit and she had some gifts for them (Crayons, hair bands, toy cars etc) and they were very happy to have them. It was amazing how clean this little girl was compared to where she lived, her mother deserves a medal.

Anna's favourite place was one of the orphanages which took care of the kids when they were not at school. The teachers were very sweet and the kids seemed very happy. They were wild and boisterous like all kids, but what was amazing was how they took care of each other. One little girl had Downs Syndrome and every time we saw her the older kids were carrying her, or kissing and cuddling her. They were a great team, and very very happy. It really made sense to us that all the money that had been raised had gone to very good use and was making a big impact with a lasting benefit. The kids are getting proper education, food, clothing, love and attention, and above all, sound medical care and education to prepare them for the real world. There were also kids there who were not setting up their own tailoring business, or hiring out rickshaws etc.
Anna was sad to leave. Indeed she was insisting on staying longer but all good things have to come to an end. Fortunately the good work of Childaid Network and the Don Bosco mission continue - and they looked after Jack and Anna like a couple of VIPs while they were there.
Anna hopes to get back sometime next year and follow up with her new friends.
In the meantime, from all of us, thanks to all of you for your fantastic support, both financial support for the charity as well as moral support for Anna - you have all made a huge impact in many many ways.