We went out at 9:00 to start working. It was already very hot and very humid. I was sweating just standing there getting the instructions for the day.
The group who worked on this project the day before got all the bricks to start building the walls up the stairs and into piles. It took them all day to finish the tedious task. We then had to take buckets of sand up the stairs so that we could make it into what they call kaliva (if that's how it's spelled) or brick glue to start the walls. Before we got started we watched these beautiful Indian ladies walk up and Down the stairs carrying buckets full of sand on their heads using no hands. It was amazing. They had wrapped a piece of fabric on top of their heads to hold it into place. When we started carrying the sand up the stairs I couldn't believe how heavy it was; and these ladies were holding it on their heads.
We did this for an hour and then we started helping the workers build the wall by handing them brick after brick and kaliva and more bricks. It was so hot I could feel my skin burning. Sand was in my eyes, ears, down my shirt, stuck to the sweat on my shirt and I had no where to wipe the sweat off of my face from falling into my eyes. Then I look up at these Indian men who are barley perspiring. What the heck!
The men and women who were helping us work on the green house spoke only Tamil. It sometimes was hard to know what they were wanting us to do. When they wanted to get our attention they would just say "hello" over and over until we realized they wanted our help. They learned the English word for brick and we used the word for brick glue; kaliva.
This is Carl. He is the summer coordinator over construction! That's a lot of c
Kaliva
She carried endless cans of sand up and down the stairs nonstop all day long
Austin and I working up a sweat! Go us!
They learned my name and soon they called me sister Sam. I loved these men. They were so funny! Even though there was a language barrier we laughed with each other and worked hard from 9-4.
We accomplished a lot and it was a great feeling at the end of the day to see all the hard work we put into the day.
I almost forgot. I saw a Monkey today! He hung out with us all day. We fed him some rice cakes and granola bars. It's so fun to have things happen that would never happen at home like seeing a wild monkey! Every time the workers would see them they would yell "sister Sam monkey monkey picture"
We finished and it's time to get ready for playtime! Oh my goodness I have never been more excited to take a bucket shower! Oh have I not told you about the bathroom?! Well here it goes, we have to take bucket showers; which means we fill up a bucket and then then take a cup and pour it on our heads. The water is usually warm but in the mornings it's cooler! I love morning showers after Chen, Krissy and I work out!
The toilets oh I mean the squatters are great. Well for my legs anyway. I get a pretty good workout when I use the squatter because that is exactly what I have to do when I use the bathroom. The toilets are actually a hole in the ground. Oh and did I mean mention that you can't put the toilet paper down the hole?! No you put it in the trash. Yuck. I'm sure you can imagine what that's like. But we have someone who cleans and it's not too bad.
Okay let's get back on track. It took two shampoo's to get the sand and mud out of my hair after construction. I really enjoyed today. I worked hard and met pretty amazing people, got to see monkey and the best of all I really got to know my group. Whom consists of Sandra Rigby, Becca Pickup, her mother Janet Pickup, Austen and me! I love my group!
Family time tonight was amazing! I look forward every night to the time I get to spend with my family! The boys get so excited when we come! And by we I mean Becca Huber, Chen and I! Tonight when I walked in the boys me Auntie Sam and they hugged me! I danced a little with them then headed into the house mother Kala's room to do some extra assigned reading time with Ruthish. I absolutely love Ruthish. He has so much personality and has this radiance about him that draws me to him. I'm especially excited to spend time with him every night. I love just sitting with the boys ago playing silly games or having them lay on my lap and tell me about their day!
When it's time for bed Kala tells them once and they put their things away and lay on the tile floor to sleep. Some of them have a pillow but most don't. Tonight Ruthish said that they lay on the floor so that when it gets hot the floor can keep them cool. They don't have air conditioning where they live.
I can't imagine not having AC.
My first night here the power went out. Which it does often. India's power isn't very strong. The power goes out at least 100 Times a day on a good day. Okay o
Im exaggerating well almost!
my first night the power went out and when it kicked back on the fans came on but none of us noticed that the AC didn't come back on. Throughout the night we woke up in a pools of sweat. I couldn't believe how hot it was with AC. I tossed and turned all night as did the rest of the girls in my room. It was the next morning that we realized the AC wasn't on all night. The next two nights we all froze not realizing we could turn our AC up so we aren't so cold. We have had so many laughs and good times together in our room.
Tonight when we came home from family time we all decided it was time to do a lice check. We lined up and checked each others hair for lice! We are all lice free
which means very happy girls!
Wow I'm having the time of my life and learning so much everyday. I'm loving myself and others more and more everyday. Tomorrow is another day in a Leprosy colony and I pray to know how to speak and love these people In a way that will change not only my life but theirs as well!
Samantha Bird, you have the best attitude. My fondest memory of you (which I will never forget)is our sophmore year of high school. I had a terrible attitude and was having a hard time making friends. You told me your plan to introduce yourself to as many people as possible. You helped me by dragging me around everywhere and introducing me to everyone! You have had that attitude ever since we became friends in the sixth grade. You got teased sooo much (including by a lame follower like me) and acted like you didn't care! I regret things I have done in the past and hope you will forgive me for my short comings. I am very impressed with the woman you have become and I am glad you are my friend.
ReplyDeleteSend my love and prayers to the people in India!
Elora thank you so much for your sweet comment! I hope you know that I think your great. I am grateful for your friendship and the past is the past. We were just kids. We have had many great memories since! Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. India is changing me into a better person everyday and I hope it will help others as they read my blog and my experiences!
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