ABBEY

INDIA

PROJECT

REPORT 2004

MOTTO 2004

We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.

This enables us to do something,and to do it very well."             

Reflection of Archbishop Oscar Romero

The nine participating students wereThis project was launched in January 2004 and a long period of fundraising and preparation was involved. To undertake the challenge took courage, generosity of spirit, readiness to work and a willingness to move into the unknown. As weeks and months passed by the group bonded together and focussed their attention on the task in hand.

The fundraising seemed daunting at first but with assistance from family and friends, targets were achieved and surpassed. All extra funds raised were given directly to those programmes that we worked in. Many meetings were held ( most during part of the lunch-break) in order to have the most appropriate outlook towards the unprivileged and to capture something of the vision that would fuel the work. For this purpose the life and vision of both Edmund Rice and Mother Teresa were examined together with a guided visit to Westcourt, Callan where Edmund Rice was born and grew up and also to Mount Sion, his school in Waterford. Meetings dealt with team building, with teaching, with the Brothers in India, with spiritual aspects such as reflection, journaling and sharing, with safety and health issues and with the logistics of travel (passport, visa, injections, medication and airport procedure)

Calcutta invaded all our senses – the distinctive smell, the continuous sound of horns and people, the sight of crowds in constant movement.. Just a short distance from the international terminal and we were into the hustle and bustle even at this early hour. Shops were more like pokey stalls, mostly selling food along our route. The road surfaces and pathways were very uneven and one had to keep an eye out for one’s own safety. The taxis were basic, old and devoid of safety features we have become accustomed to. There was no shortage of helpers to put in our bags and then look for some foreign money. Traffic( trucks, cars, rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, bicycles and carts) seemed to be chaotic, with an absence of indicators but the constant hooting of horns to indicate driving intentions. Still there was no evidence of road rage even when there was a bit of a collision. The taxis in common with all other vehicles contributed black clouds of smoke to the atmosphere and in open spaces and on banks of rivers there was plenty of rubbish to be seen. Every road and street along our 20 minute route was teeming with people until we turned in through the gates of St Mary’s.

This was our first visit on Friday evening and naturally felt a little awkward and scared. Shishu Bavan is an orphanage ON lower Circular road in the centre of the city with about 2 hundred very young children. The first section dealt with children with disabilities. Volunteers continued with their work and it was hard to feel that you could contribute. This is a feeling that is experienced so many places in centres run by the Missionaries of Charity. Across a yard was another section dealing with children from birth to around 6 or 7 many of them hoping for adoption. The Sister (a Canadian) explained that many children there were failed abortions. Hospitals call them in the event of an aborted ‘foetus’ showing signs of life. Some of the children reacted to our presence with a smile or an outstretched hand as they stood there in their cots. It was easier for us to feel of some use here in comparison to the room for children with disabilities.

Evening was closing in rapidly and we walked the short distance to Motherhouse on Rippon Street where Mother Teresa lived. This is the powerhouse of the Sisters and of the volunteers from the various centres. The simple church there is just a plain room with its windows open to the noisy street. Being a holy place, shoes are removed before entering.  It contains the plain tomb of Mother Teresa and being there in itself is an experience. A Sister gave each of us a leaflet and a Miraculous Medal that had been placed on the tomb. We joined the Volunteers and the Sisters in the 4.30 Mass and afterwards had a chat with a number of them before they returned to their chores. So many young ladies entering a life that they know is very difficult and demanding. They were keen to know where we had come from and where we were heading.

On Saturday morning we undertook to spend a few hours with those staying in the Orphanage for the weekend. The Brothers arrange the boys into 4 groups- Red, Blue, Green and Yellow House. We were divided among the four houses and took part in the games. We were totally accepted into the activities and they enjoyed sharing the excitement with us. The games included Frisbee-football and Dodgeball and it was striking to see their ready acceptance of the referees decision in all cases – no cases of fighting or arguing. And we were included in the presentation of prizes at the end with a colourful bracelet for each of us. Both groups had benefited from the morning’s activity

On Saturday afternoon we made the journey southwards across the city to visit Mother Teresa’s First Love. Kalighat is the location of the famous Kali Temple and the Home for the Dying Destitute set up by Mother Teresa . Walking in the entrance that appears so suddenly, one knows that it is a special place. It is not a place to stand and stare. It is not as depressing as you might expect. There were over a hundred people, evenly divided into a men’s and a women’s section, being treated by the volunteers,. The volunteers continued about their work and we were lucky that Jim (who works here each day) guided our gaze and our hearts during our visit. The volunteers do the various tasks normally in silence, a reflective silence so as to try to see the body of Christ in the broken bodies that arrive there. Jim assured us that this belief is what keeps the volunteers going. A visitor once said to Mother Teresa there that he wouldn’t do that work for a million dollars. “Neither would I” she replied. Jim spoke of the peace and contentment that so many of the dying experience in their last moments. “If I could die the same way, I’d be a happy man” said Jim as we stood in the morgue where remains are prepared for burial/cremation according to their religion.

Over 80,000 have been admitted to Kalighat with as many as 50,000 dying there. As dusk gathered we met a number of the volunteers ( one from Thurles) on the roof while they had a drink of water and a biscuit.  Strange as it may seem it was a place of happiness. Our short stay in Calcutta had come to an end. The 2 days was some experience and unforgettable. It is a city of contrasts and truly a City of Joy in spite of the poverty and deprivation around every corner

Early on Sunday morning, a quick transfer to Calcutta Domestic Airport and after a thorough security procedure we were on flight northeastwards to Guwahatti in Assam. The hour’s flight over Bangladesh made sense rather than the 20 hour train journey in Indian national territory to the same destination. Heat was still in the 30’s as we boarded our 3 Sumo Jeeps for the 100km journey up to Shillong which lies at almost 6000 feet above sea level. The first hour of the journey was through the level sprawling area of Guwahatti located in the valley of the Bramaputra . For the next 3 hours we slowly climbed around many hairpin turns through the jungle slopes of Megalaya to arrive at St Edmund’s in Shillong.

  It was mid afternoon and the Brothers and staff immediately made us very welcome. They are now used to teachers, students and volunteers arriving from the Abbey. Br Steve d’Souza, the community leader set about seeing that the lads were looked after in all respects. Br Steve co-ordinates the work in Providence where we would work for most of the two weeks. Br Peter Gomez, in spite of a bout of ill health recently, continuously showed great concern for everyone’s welfare and shared his passion for the stars and planets with us. Br Kevin Ward (from Co Louth) provided a link with home and although required in Bombay had stayed behind to organise the next weekend’s activity in the valleys. Missing from the Community was Br Dinny O Donohue (a Clareman, in India since 1952) who had returned to Baldoyle for medical treatment. The Abbey students settled in very quickly and had great conversations with the various members of the community on all sorts of topics. It developed into a very happy family as we shared our meals around the community dining table. The domestic staff of Chettri, Joshi, Balkar, Berbeti, Kong Catherine and Kong Martha looked after our needs with great kindness.

Each morning of the first week was spent in Roilang, the workshop for the handicapped. The trainees here come from the surrounding districts and have hearing, visual or physical disabilities. Some would have been abandoned by their families or had severe difficulties in school. Most would not have been born disabled but developed their disability from the absence of care / medicine at an early stage. The aim of Roilang is to enable the trainees to obtain a livelihood. All do cooking or confectionary as essential life skills. Other activities in the centre include knitting, embroidery, rexine, hand and loom weaving, cane and bamboo work, screen printing and wood carving.

The trainees in Roilang taught the Abbey students one of the local crafts. It is an essential part of the project that Third World work is seen to be  as much about receiving from their rich culture as it is about giving.

On the first morning we attended assembly and were formally introduced to each of the trainees. Gail, the director had a short session with us and advised to open our hearts, to let go of ourselves and be totally involved. This advice was taken to heart and contributed to a memorable experience. After a quick viewing of the crafts being offered each of the lads settled in with their teacher. Communication was a bit awkward at first but improved as passed.

Activity started each morning at 8.15 with confectionary. Meenu and Jammuna were expert tutors as each of the nine were given their tasks – sieving, rolling pastry, mixing, crushing nuts, lining tins, forming biscuits etc. It was satisfying to know that the equipment in the kitchen (apart from the worktops) had been purchased with the donation made to Roilang in 2002. As we all waited for the biscuits / buns /cakes to come out of the oven there always developed a great session of conversation using sign language. Comments passed with speed between the various members of the group regarding themselves, their interests, the Abbey students who had been there in 2000 and 2002 and a great relationship developed even in the short space of a week. And the cakes were so tasty as well. Indeed the homes of Tipperary and Limerick may well have and extra delicacy on offer from now on.

 On the last Friday we spent a few hours in Roilang during which the trainees put on a programme of entertainment consisting of modern and traditional dance, song and mime. The Abbey students tried their hand at the local bamboo dance and plate dance. It didn’t look as graceful as the locals but it did contribute to the enjoyment of morning. Gail then officiated over the presentation of completed items together with a certificate of participation. It was time to say our goodbyes and it was an emotional occasion. Most of us did purchase and bring home products (Naga shawls, bags, scarves, bamboo work, frames, diaries etc) from Roilang as presents.

The donation left in Roilang (Rs 200000=€4000) from the surplus money raised by the Abbey students will be used to establish and equip a showroom on the premises to market their produce. The donation left there in 2002 (Rs80000 = €1600) had helped to equip the confectionary kitchen and thus introduce baking to the students. It had also bought musical instruments and the paid the college fees of Jacinta, Minu and Jammuna.

Our main centre of work in Shillong was in Providence School for the Underprivileged.

This school was established in 1999 by Br Steve d’Souza and operated in a spare classroom of St Edmund’s School. He based it on the vision and charism of Edmund Rice and at first its aim was to help children of very poor families who couldn’t afford to attend school in the early years (cost of uniform, books, fees etc) to catch up on the basics of English and Maths and then enter mainstream schools with their own age group. Very poor means less than a family income of Rs800 (€16)  per

month. In 2000 and 2002 the Abbey students helped in this work and made a significant contribution to the success of the school. Then the school only operated in the afternoons with teachers working mostly on a voluntary basis.

The school is now located in an old disused dormitory adjacent to St Edmund’s. It need much work to make it suitable for constant use and at present has 5 classrooms and is continually expanding and providing more opportunities for these children. At present there are 106 children ranging in age from 4to 14.

In the last year a vocational programme has been developed for the children who do not wish to enter mainstream schools in order to equip them with the tools to earn a living and stand on their own two feet. The programme covers a number of areas of life-activities – commercial cooking, tailoring and rexine work, candle making, confectionary, screen-printing, hairdressing, garden, basic carpentry, vermiposting and shop keeping. These activities occupy the morning period from 8.30 till 12.00. Normal academic class work still fills the afternoons from 12.45 till 3.45.

The children who attend Providence belong to the families of rural migrant workers and live in sub-standard conditions in various parts of Shillong. For most it is an hours walk to and from school but is undertaken with heart. Such travel day in and day out even during the monsoon season cannot be easy especially when one considers that food is often not plentiful at home and clothing is at a minimum. Even the smallies who do not follow a vocational programme still arrive in Providence from as early as 8.00.

Both weeks the nine Abbey students were fully occupied in the afternoons with each teaching a group of 3 children. With Varina’s class the lads dealt with English sentences and conversation and with addition. They understood much more English than they could use. Many of these children could add at speed as they kept the score at marbles or while working in the shop but found difficulty when dealing with written work.  The Abbey students to a man threw themselves into the demanding work with enthusiasm and generosity. Preparation was undertaken and their charges were kept busy and learning. Granted they were very keen to do more and more work and insisted that they had plenty of homework for each evening. Stephen Rhatigan had the advantage of working with his three in the confectionary room where there were few distractions. Mark Finnan, John O Kelly and Andrew O Halloran worked in Varina’s classroom each with their own blackboard. Then in the largest room ther were separate stations for Thomas Dee, Liam O Dwyer, Diarmuid Kiely, John McCahill and Damien O Neill. It was great to experience the buzz of work from each of the centres. Each of the ‘Sirs’ reported distinct progress over the two weeks. The children really responded to the almost individual attention they got from their new teachers and a great bonding developed as days went by.

Every Friday the children of Providence receive a hot meal of rice, dal and curry chicken at lunchtime. During our time there the ‘Sirs’ served the meal with expertise and then joined the children in the eating in the classrooms or in the open air. The children ate with their fingers as is the custom of the poor of  all India. Plates were cleared and each was most particular in the washing afterwards.

The nine students undertook to spend a few evenings (after their teaching work) visiting the homes of the children they had been teaching. For this purpose it was arranged that a few mini-buses would bring the children home. This in itself was a novelty… some of them had never been in a car in their lives. The Abbey students followed on taken by the St Edmund’s Class 10 boys. The visits proved to be an experience. The homes were located a long distance away; some were just one-room timber/corrugated shelters; they were in run-down areas; some had TV and all showed the signs of poverty.  But the children were so proud of their homes and it was noticed. In those houses where parents were present there was a great welcome for the Sirs on this brief visit. The Abbey students on returning had an even greater respect for the children and spoke mostly about the pride, love, care, welcome they had witnessed rather than the signs of deprivation. Indeed they had been looking with the heart rather than merely with the eyes.

From Cherrapunji we moved onto narrower winding roads continuously losing altitude. The last 5 km was along a cliff road with a sheer drop on one side. The views of waterfalls in the distance, even during this dry season, were spectacular. The deep valleys were covered with dense jungle greenery, few roads but plenty of well travelled paths.

Three hours after leaving Shillong we arrived at the Cherrapunji Resort in the village of Lytkinsaw . Welcomed by our host Denis, we moved all our gear into a local cottage owned by the Salvatorian Fathers who serve this large parish. Conditions were absolutely basic with our sleeping positions very near to the ground. Shortly after 5pm, with darkness rapidly falling after the spectacular golden sunset, Denis started a campfire in front of the resort and it was so pleasant for all to gather about. The weather here at a lower altitude than Shillong was much warmer at night but still fresh. Local musicians arrived, as is their custom and provided traditional Khasi entertainment. A tasty dinner followed inside and afterwards as the evening quietened down Br Kevin gathered the group about with a reflective and moving story of the farmer and the bamboo by the stream. The relaxing evening in a beautiful spot was just what all needed after a very busy week.

 Fatigue was taking its toll and the flash lamps were needed to make the way back to the cottage to catch a few hours sleep. Not everyone succeeded in getting those few hours in the strange surroundings and there was an immediate response to the 4.30 a.m. call to move up the hill to view the rising sun. At this latitude the sun rises rapidly and if the sky is clear the sight of the sun bursting above the horizon is splendid. However there was a thick bank of cloud all along the horizon so it was 6 a.m. before we got our first view. Our viewing point was by the local church, the first Catholic church built in the state of Meghalaya 115 years ago. As the local sacristan was sounding the morning Angelus we moved off with our guide and bearing bamboo walking staffs to view the Living Root Bridge. The route began in the village of Lytkinsaw and involved a walk of 2 km dropping 1000 feet down steep steps through the jungle. With the sun moving up in the sky and the further drop in altitude the heat increased and the sound of torrents and strange birds became more noticeable.

Living Root Bridges are one of the wonders of Meghalaya. The one we visited consisted of the roots of a rubber tree, which had been pulled across a deep valley and made root on the other bank. Smaller roots were twined about these to form a pathway and protective sides. It had a span of 50 feet and though looking like a rope bridge was as solid as one of steel and concrete. It was a jaded group that enjoyed the half-hour rest at this spot.

It had taken almost an hour to make the descent but nearly double that to retrace our steps. The ascent was broken by many stops and much water was taken on board. By the time we had arrived back at the resort at 8.45 everyone had a keen appetite for breakfast which consisted of aloogob and chapattis.

Approaching 10 a.m. it was time for Mass in the local church said by Fr Rajash, a Salvatorian priest. The Khasi congregation filled the large church and had their Morning Prayer service consisting of many hymns sung with much gusto. The full-voiced singing is but one of the many aspects of life here that has been influenced by the mainly Welsh missionaries who worked here during the height of the British rule.

The actual mass was preceded by a welcome for the Irish students present; it was the only part we understood. Hymns were sung at every possible occasion and the 10 mass finished at 12. The parishioners return again in the evening for more devotions.

Dinner was served in the resort that looked out on the magnificent wooded valleys about us and the plains of Bangladesh to the south. Many of these valleys (3000 feet deep) have sheer cliffs on one side that produce magnificent foaming waterfalls during the raining season.By 1 p.m. we had left and faced into the journey home – a distance of 90 km but would take up to 3 hours. It had been an exciting weekend, a tiring adventure with breathtaking scenery and it served to recharge the batteries for another weeks work ahead.

During week 2 the Providence morning vocational programme was the centre of our activity. Each of the nine took their positions in the allotted centre and the Providence children were to be the instructors. From 8.30 till 10.30 the pressure was in the kitchen so that orders would be ready for the canteen the Providence children run for St Edmund’s school. Damien and Liam were shown the chopping techniques, Andrew worked at the wok over  the gas stove.  Mark was stationed at the deep fat fryer making the wraps for the chicken pakoras. With a different menu each day there was much to be learned and a great urgency in the kitchen as the 10.30 deadline approached.

In the large room Diarmuid and Thomas were being shown all the stages in the preparation of Aloomoori , a raw vegetable mix (onions, chillies ,boiled potatoes, coriander, rice etc) with a pungent aroma. The children instructing here were very insistent on the washing of hands when changing from one ingredient to another. The Aloomoori also had to be ready for 10.30.

Quickly the stall was set up before the bell rang and produce quickly sold out with an amount being bought by the discerning female St Edmunds teachers. Never is there anything left over or wasted. Takings usually come to about Rs600 each day with almost half of this profit. The kitchen is being run as a commercial venture with any small profits made being used to give each of the children a kitchen instrument of his/her own each month. When eventually leaving Providence each child will have a set of the tools of his trade. In the evening the children are detailed to purchase the eggs, chickens, butter, flour, etc for the following day.

Many of the vegetables come from the Providence garden. This is also part of the vocational programme and involves vermiposting (composting using special worms) sowing, maintaining and harvesting the produce. While there the patch (20 yds X 20 yds) was still producing French beans, garlic, coriander, large radishes the size of turnips, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, carrots and the peas were just emerging. Not what we would expect in a November garden. All the planting is done on a square metre per type of vegetable. Some are used in the kitchen, some sold and some are brought home to supplement the diet.

Both Johns took to the confectionary and were instructed by Banri and by Shanky. The confectionary is produced here for the 10.30 St Edmund’s shop and in response to orders placed from outside. Since the confectionary started last March Banri and Shanky have mastered the baking of Chocolate cake, Carrot cake, Walnut cake, Sponge cake, Apple tart, Black Forest Gateaux as well as Jam Cookies, Melting Moments, Do-nuts and Coconut Cookies. We celebrated two birthdays while there, ordered cakes from Providence and were well pleased with them; not because they were made by underprivileged children but because they were first class. John K and John M applied themselves to sieving, rolling, folding in, lining tins, mixing, measuring and especially to removing those hot tasty biscuits or cakes from the oven.

Thomas and Liam were upstairs in the tailoring section and concentrated on rexine work. They were instructed by Starly and Hamhi  and successfully produced a number of items – including pencil cases and  jute shopping bags. While they were working in the window alcove of ‘Fagins Den’ the rest of the space was occupied by children knitting, using the 6 sewing machines producing aprons, pot cloths and even supplying an order for school shirts. The smallies were busy threading needles and practicing hand stitching and hemming and totally disinterested in any strangers entering the premises. Tailoring is a proud Indian tradition

Stephen was put through the whole process of screen-printing by his two instructors, James and Bantei . From a computer printout, to the coating with chemicals, exposing, screening colours, correct positioning, application with the squeegee and examination as an exercise in quality control he learned the lot. The children have used screen-printing to produce cards and T-shirts.

Each of the Abbey students returned home the proud possessors of an official red Providence T-shirt complete with school logo.

During the second week they took on the extra task of teaching small groups from Isabella’s class (slightly older). Each Sir took up a new position and applied themselves again to the instruction of their charges. Again Maths and English were the topics but at a slightly higher level. As time progressed one could sense the teacher respect for pupil and pupil respect for teacher develop. The children from both classes became very possessive about their teachers and continually asked them to stay on.

  An hour was spent in Roilang that last Friday morning for a farewell celebration and presentation as already described.

In Providence, everything was as usual till 2 p.m. After the last teaching session with Isabella’s class there was a short break and the largest classroom was changed into the venue for a Farewell Programme. All the children, even some who had left and been mainstreamed into local schools, and staff were there and the Abbey group seated at the top. The various classes performed musical items or dances (Hindi and modern). Skembor gave a performance at his dance routine that would have left Michael Flatley gasping. Presents were exchanged – the children giving cards of appreciation to their own teachers and the Sirs giving photos of teacher and pupil, while retaining another copy for themselves. These photos indeed will be treasured and gazed at both in Ireland and in India. It was clear that it was an emotional period. It only added to the charged atmosphere when the combined classes started into their final song  ‘Now is the hour when we must say goodbye’. After that song it took a while for both the children to leave for home and for the Abbey students to leave the premises. It was an indicator of the special bonding that had been established between both groups over the two weeks. The nine had opened their hearts with generosity and given greatly of themselves. The children recognised this, appreciated it and responded. In truth, lives on both sides had been enriched by the experiences.

Saturday dawned bright and warm as if all was well in the world. Indeed we all did look forward to going home but there was a certain heaviness in the hearts also. All the children had again walked the long journey in to say their goodbyes. They had arrived before 9 as we prepared to load cases.

We had Sumo jeeps booked to take us down to Guwahatti at 10 but it took that little bit longer to make the final break. Again it was emotional for everyone but nobody minded showing his or her emotion. Openness had been the badge of this project. In the Sumos quite a number of miles had been travelled before normal conversation commenced. By early afternoon we had descended down into the heat of the plains again and as darkness fell we landed in Calcutta Domestic airport. Main luggage was deposited in the appropriate department and we took to the taxis to Dum Dum and then the metro to St Josephs in Bow Bazaar St. Again the Brothers made us welcome, we joined them watching the last hours of the Cricket Test between India and Pakistan in Eden Park. The lights of the nearby Eden Park could be seen from the windows. 

Morning call at an unearthly 4 a.m. and our taxis arrived for that last trip to the airport. We were so different from the group that had arrived here a little over two weeks previously. All flights to Heathrow and to Dublin were uneventful and on our final coach journey to Tipperary we thanked God for safe travel and grasped hands in a circle again as an expression of our operating as a team, giving and receiving support.

Arrival at the Abbey was a mere 10 minutes behind time. 

“The two weeks have just flown by. It was a great experience for me visiting the children’s houses and the smiles on their faces.  It’s definitely an eye-opener and an experience I’ll never forget.”

“For all the days, hours, minutes in the effort that you put into preparing for this project; it’s nothing compared to the priceless precious seconds that you spend with the children”

“It’s hard work. At the end of the day you are tired but it’s the best work you’ll ever do. Has been a fantastic experience for me.”

“The whole visit to India has been one of the best experiences of my life and will remain with me forever”

“ You have the overwhelming feeling of wanting to take the kids out of the hardship of their lives. But it’s important to remember you can’t do everything; can only give them a hand and help them get on in the life that they have already. And even just doing that is well worth it. A brilliant experience.”

“The whole project has been the most rewarding and enjoyable thing I have ever participated in my life. Has been an absolutely life-changing experience… to make a difference in other peoples lives. It changes your whole outlook on life. The children here are so appreciative of education…it’s incredible, absolutely incredible.”

“I haven’t regretted one second of it. I may be tired and physically drained, but emotionally deep inside every minute, every second of it was well worthwhile.”