Kolkata 2016 Blog 

Day One – Take Off!
by Emily

If you’ve found yourself reading this blog, hello! I expect you’re reading because you support the work of Khushi Feet, or because you are somehow connected to someone going on this trip. But just in case you’ve stumbled across this blog completely by accident, let me fill you in on what it’s all about . . .

Five years ago, I packed up a suitcase, got on a plane and went on a trip to Kolkata in India. In Kolkata, I was privileged enough to visit some truly inspiring projects. One of those projects was an organisation called GNCEM which runs schools for street children. I was so struck by what these schools were striving to achieve and I could clearly see how a street child’s poverty and illiteracy could be overcome with a good education. I wanted to do something to help . . .

And so Khushi Feet was born – a UK-based charity raising money and awareness for the street schools in Kolkata. Since 2012, Khushi Feet has raised more than £50,000. That money has bought the street schools a new school bus, helped furnish and repair schools buildings, provided food, sanitary productions and educational resources for the children, and much more!

Now, in 2016, Khushi Feet is going out to Kolkata with an awesome group of young people who will be visiting the street schools and will have the opportunity to see that impact Khushi Feet fundraising has made. This will undoubtedly be life-changing for the group. Life-changing is an overused term which I think has lost some of the force of its meaning. But in this case, I mean it in the fullest sense.

This blog is our means of sharing this experience with you. For the next two weeks, a different team member will be sharing their experiences of what we get up to each day. It’ll be an exciting, challenging and stimulating adventure and we can’t wait to get started. Tomorrow you’ll be able to read the group’s first impressions of Kolkata. But for now, we’ve got a plane to catch. We hope you’ll join us for the ride.

Welcome on board!

Day Two - First Impressions

After two long haul flights, we are very dazed, quite confused and somewhat jet-lagged. We’ve safely arrive in Kolkata and it feels disorientating. Everything is different in this city. But different is exciting, so even though we feel extremely tired, we went for an orientation walk around the streets of Kolkata this afternoon (just before the Monsoon rain started!). What we experienced was an overload to the senses. Here are some of the team members’ first impressions of Kolkata…

Bethany: Driving from the airport and seeing Kolkata for the first time it was difficult to take in, but trying to do so was quite exciting. Everything is so different. Walking around the level of poverty really hits you which is tough and the colours, noises and smells are totally overwhelming.

Luke: Kolkata is a huge jumble of sounds, smells and clashing colours. Car horns are an integral part of a vehicle and form a constant and ignored wave of noise. Every different street smell hits you with a new smell whether food or something else and everything is decorated to draw your eye, often in the case of buses with ‘obey the rules of the road’ which the buses seem to ignore as much as anyone else. The biggest jumble is the frequent clash of a sleek and shiny shop or hotel next to a ruined building full of people, or surrounded by street vendors or those living on the street. Everything here happens in a little space – even the lives of the rich and the poor.

Stefano: Kolkata is a city where everything is quite ridiculous, and chaotic. Walking round some of the streets today, the poverty was, of course, blindingly obvious and very shocking when you think about the extent of it. There were people making money in every way possible, and yet there was something very calm about them all.

Daryl: Soooo, what can I say about Kolkata? A sensory overload, a mumble jumble of everything you could imagine. It is truly fabulous, yet simultaneously brings a deep sadness to my heart; I thought I would be able to prep myself for the level of poverty here, yet it’s not what I quite imagined. Part of me thinks, should I be here? A privileged, westernised global citizen. The rest of me thinks this will be a great experience and I’m sure there are many adventures to come!

Hannah: In Kolkata there is a constant rush of numerous people going about their lives – the streets are colourful, noisy and chaotic. It seems strange and sad to think that the obvious poverty here is normal for many of the people of Kolkata and they would find my western lifestyle just as foreign as I find theirs.

Ella: It’s loud, but I must admit I was imagining a huge array of sounds, traffic, people talking and all the vendor; when in reality it was just the car horns non-stop. Very easy to get used to. My very first thought, as I was looking out of the plane window was the very beauty of the city. Bright, colourful buildings emerging out of the lush green surrounding everything. I am looking forward to exploring the beauty of Kolkata, even today as we walked around some of the back streets I could see the beauty of the buildings and of the people, some smiling, some staring and all amazing.

Helena: There are so many colours and sounds and people. It’s busy and humid and just plain crazy but I really like it here. On our walk around the streets today there was so much to take in, ‘twas a totally different experience to anything that I have seen before. We saw poverty and random animals and some weird smells, but people were happy.

Josie: Kolkata is a brightly coloured city – coloured buildings, yellow taxis, vibrant fruit stalls. And I noticed there were lots of animals living on the streets. But the thing that stood out most was the organised chaos of the traffic. The vehicles on the road have no order to them and seem to drive all over the place but they never crash. Thankfully no of us got run over in the crazy traffic!

That’s it from us for now. Over and out from a very tired team hoping to get a good night’s sleep before a busy day at one of the street schools tomorrow.

Day Three - Hatibagan Mobile School
by Ella

Standing outside the Guest House waiting for the big yellow bus to take us to our first mobile school of the trip was incredibly exciting, like it was our first day of school, and when it pulled up we all noticed the blue footprints painted onto the side as the bus was payed for with money sent by Khushi Feet. The bus was full of children and it took us a while to all get on, with children pulling us to sit with them and the four other children sitting on their bench.

When we arrived at the Hatibagan Mobile School we helped the teachers to give the children a wash – this for me was the most important thing, as it showed that the schools are thinking about more than educating and feeding the children; it was caring for them, giving them the respect that I’m not sure they will be given elsewhere. The teacher was very thorough, lathering up each child and rinsing them off before sending them to be dried with a big towel. Then they all put on their smart blue shirts – they ensured it was on correctly so they looked their best. 

This is where we got a little more involved as we sung two songs with lots of actions, they didn’t know them so their teachers translated the words so they could understand. It was great. The teachers really put a lot of emphasis on the children knowing what was going on and telling them about who we were.

At the school the students are given two meals: some breakfast after morning songs and then after their lessons a big helping of curry for lunch so it can last them until their next meal, which we were all aware might not be until tomorrow’s breakfast. This huge time without food is so difficult to understand when you have never had to worry about it. When you think of how much the children you know need to eat in order to grow it becomes very hard to not just shout, ‘THIS ISN’T FAIR’. But I know that these schools are really balancing out that unfairness and it is wonderful to see.

Today I got to see more of my fellow team members’ strengths and some of their weaknesses (Emily’s is maths). Everyone was so brilliant when we did the lessons, just simple maths and English, those who taught were great at adapting to what they saw the kids could do and the ones who sat with the children got to see how the children were thinking and the pleasure they got out of a right answer and a smiley face from Geoff. Stefano managed to show us all up at break time though as he was king of making the kids jump really high, which no one else managed so consistently.

It has been such an amazing day, I don’t think it could have gone any better. It was sad to see the children get off the bus and return ‘home’ to the streets, but the bus dropped us off and drove away with smiling faces in every window. I can't wait to see it coming back tomorrow.

 

Day Four - Daspara School & Baby Care Centre

by Bethany

I often use bus journeys as a time to think and process things and on a good day I can reach my destination feeling I have really worked through something and changed an attitude or thought process for the better. However, I have never experienced a bus journey quite like the journeys to and from where we visited in Kolkata today.

Travelling on the Khushi Feet funded school bus, the first place we visited was the Baby Care Centre in Daspara. A day centre for babies from 10 days old. We washed, dried and changed the babies and helped to feed them their breakfast of cornflakes in warm milk. Once the children were settled to play we made our way to the school in Daspara. This school is in a big building which has many classroom. As we approached we could hear very loud, joyful and enthusiastic singing and we entered an assembly for the 400 students who attend the school. We were welcomed in and received garlands made from fresh flowers. We shared stories and songs with them. At the end of the assembly we went into one of the offices and were given drinks and amazing fresh buns. Daspara School now has its own bakery where each day they bake over 800 fresh buns, enough for all of the children at the different projects. They were sweet, light and fluffy and absolutely delicious. 

A tour round the school was up next and we visited each class and heard a bit about what they were learning. Many classes sang us a song or poem. We saw the library and also went out onto the roof of the school to see the amazing view across the lake. It was raining heavily (it’s monsoon seasons!) which was actually very refreshing. After this we split into pairs and went to teach English to different classes. Daryl and I were teaching a class of the older girls who were 14 and 15. Their English was really good! It’s amazing how easily the language and culture barriers can be overcome with a smile and a few silly jokes.

We then got a tour of the new hospital being built on the site. It is 6 months into construction and I actually felt overwhelmed by a feeling of hope as we were shown around. The hospital is being built and opened on the back of an experience that staff from the school had when they took a young girl with blood cancer for treatment at the government hospital and said she was treated like an animal simply because she was poor. The hospital will save lives but also show love and humanity to people who need it most.

After lunch at the school it was back on the bus to pick up the babies from the Baby Care Centre and get back to the Guest House where we are staying. The 11 beautiful babies and other school children that we journeyed with today gave us all so much joy. Their individual personalities, smiles, laughs and quirks couldn’t help but make you smile and laugh back and join in with their games. These perfect, innocent and adorable babies have nothing by any material standards yet they have everything to offer in terms of overflowing joy.
Sitting inside that bus with the school children and babies driving through Kolkata is like being in some kind of weird paradoxical vortex. The bus is full of laughter, smiles, games, compliments, shrieks of joy and cuddles. Yet you look out of the windows and see so much suffering. Rundown buildings, stray emaciated animals, people sleeping on the side of the road. It’s impossible to explain. I looked down at the toddler asleep in my lap and imagined everything a person has the potential to become, yet had to watch him climb down the stairs of the bus onto the streets he calls home. The journey back after all the children had left was difficult. It was hard to process seeing where those children would be spending the night. Getting on the bus in the morning it was hard not to be too outraged at the scene, comparing it to standards we have in England. One-year-old children on a bus with no shoes, seat belt or parents. Yet the time they spend with the Baby Care Centre is giving them the best care they can hope to receive at the moment.

The bus journey today definitely changed things for me. It’s painful to see poverty. It’s painful to see how far there is to go in beating it. Yet there is hope. In the work being done here and in each of these precious children.

I believe these children do have the potential to achieve amazing things. The Baby Care Centre and the different schools for street children are offering them this chance. These projects have to keep being supported. By us, by you and by all those who care.

Day Five - Tangra Mobile School & Shopping

by Josie

Kolkata is a city of contrasts. There is an old man with bare feet, pushing a ridiculously overloaded barrow through the wet Kolkata traffic. He is wearing a threadbare vest and tatty trousers. His face expressing the sheer effort of transporting his heavy load.

Approaching him on the pavement is a young girl. She is wearing vibrantly coloured clothes of obvious quality. Listening through headphones to the music on her up-to-date smartphone.

Today we have experienced the difference between rich and poor Kolkata. We spent this morning visiting Tangra School, a GNCEM school in one of the poorer districts of the city. As we were driven to Tangra we passed make-shift houses where we were told as many as twenty people lived together in a room the size of my bedroom. That’s where they ate, slept and worked. It was from these homes that the children came to the school where they were fed, taught and loved. We played with the children and joined in with their lessons. The morning was full of simple joy and laughter. Their enthusiasm for learning was infectious.

The afternoon was a real contrast. Anu, from the BMS Guest House, took us shopping at Dakshinapan Shopping Complex. It had a whole range of shops selling clothes and hand carved gifts from various parts of India. We separated out into groups to do the shopping and some bought gifts to take home to family and some for themselves, including clothing. The Complex was modest and we enjoyed an hour there.

On the journey to Dakshinapan we had passed some large plush shop fronts for brands such as Gucci and Burberry. Now, on leaving the Complex, we drove on to South City Mall. This was something else. This shopping centre was spacious, heavily air conditioned and populated by those who could afford to shop in luxury. There was tight security at the main entrance and at the entrance to every shop. Being very western it was not unfamiliar to us and gave us an uncomfortable time as we reflected on the comparison between our morning experience and where we were now standing. 

At home, in England there are of course differences between the richest and poorest. But in Kolkata those differences are much more extreme. Today the old man and the young girl, the children at Tangra and the shoppers at South City have given us just a small glimpse of how great those contrasts are. 

Day Six - ConneXions, New Market & Entally Girls Hostel

by Helena

When we walked around the streets of Kolkata on the very first day, I was struck by the lack of women going about their daily business. But today we had the chance to see what some women get up to for a living. This is the first day we haven’t been to a GNCEM school, instead we headed to ConneXions.

ConneXtions is a vocational training centre available to underprivileged women from the Kolkata slums. We were invited in to see their humble head-quarters. We were shown around by Bappy who runs the centre, and he told us all about the work of the women. For the first 6 months they are trained to make a variety of products including greeting cards, gift bags, blankets, scarves, bags and more. Alongside this, they can also learn English, maths and budgeting and take lessons on women’s issues such as exploitation, legal rights, health and hygiene. Many women work part time and can work from home or in centre. They are paid for their work and the project increases the women’s self-esteem and dignity, they become empowered to improve the quality of their lives. We were able to see these beautifully crafted products and couldn’t help but support them by buying blankets, purses, cards, cushions covers and scarves, all made from recycled sarees.

I have a love and have an interest in textiles and to see how much hard work and dedication the women put into their work was inspiring. I was also struck by the hospitality of the women; in fact the whole team have noticed just how hospitable everyone in India is, they just can’t stop giving. Although we invaded their work space they got us all chairs and provided chai tea and food. Another example of hospitality today was the fact that our bus driver and chaperone were super friendly and went above and beyond in getting us to where we needed to be. Even when their work was over, they insisted on taking us on to the next place.

This afternoon we went to the New Market. This was a very stressful experience; everyone hassled us to come into their shop. It was hot and busy but exciting. Me and Josie, with help from Emily, successfully managed to haggle for elephant patterned Alibaba trousers. We are very pleased with our purchase!

Straight from the New Market, we went to the Entally Girls Hostel, for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds - some were orphans. It was a very run down building. Back in England, we would not expect children to live in such a derelict building, though these girls were so, so grateful for what they had. They sang to us, we sang to them, then they excitedly showed us around their rooms. There were at least 20 beds in one room, some girls were even having to share beds, but they weren’t complaining about this at all. In the short time we were there, we were still able to see how much potential these girls have. They are strong and beautiful. But more than this, they know they are strong and beautiful and that they deserve to flourish in this world. It humbled me to meet them.

Today we have met some truly amazing women.

Day Seven - Sightseeing & Youth Conference

by Emily

We're halfway through the trip and what an incredible time we're having! It's been non-stop this week! As you’ll have read from our blog, we’ve crammed a lot in. We have seen lots of GNCEM’s different school sites and it’s been inspiring everyone on the team. There’ll be more of this to come next week, but today, we took the opportunity to see some sights. Kolkata isn’t particularly a tourist hotspot, nevertheless, there are still some great things to see…

After breakfast (and after a few of us had hand-washed our clothes and hung them out to dry) we slapped on the sun cream and set off for the Victoria Memorial. We decided to walk and, thanks to Geoff’s (dad’s) fantastic navigation, managed to get ourselves there in one piece. The Victoria Memorial is beautiful – it’s an oasis in the middle of a polluted city. It took us a while to actually get inside the Memorial because Indians kept wanting to take selfies with us – none of us understood why! It was great to look round inside and find out some of Kolkata’s history. I was particularly interested in reading about William Carey, a botanist and linguist (among many other things) who came to Kolkata in the late 18th century and created the first Bengali dictionary as well as publishing the first Bengali newspaper.

It’s been incredibly hot today and we struggled to find some shade at lunchtime, but eventually we found some slight relief from the sun and sat and ate our packed lunches provided by the Guest House. We think they think we’re Americans as they gave us peanut butter and jam sandwiches. Oh, and spicy crisps (seriously everything is spiced here!). We then headed to St Paul’s Cathedral and had a little look round inside. Again, it was a tranquil safe haven in the middle of the busy city. 

On our walk back to the Guest House, we spotted several people decorating the streets with Indian flags in preparation for India’s Independence Day on Monday. On a much less happy note, we came across lots of beggars.

Malnourished children, men and women reached out to us as we walked past; one even walked right up to me and tugged me on my arm. I can’t even begin to describe what this is like. Kolkata is home to some of the poorest people in the world. Seeing such poverty in such a real way is making us all reconsider our lives and the things we take for granted. It’s also making us think about what more can be done to eradicate extreme poverty – the young people on this team are extremely clever and caring people and consequently there have been lots of in-depth discussions and debates (there’s even one going on right now as I type)!

Later this afternoon, we went back to Daspara for a Youth Conference organised by GNCEM. This was a super lively event. Loads of young people attended – the place was jam packed with 300+ 12-25 year olds. There were songs, games, dramas, dances… We joined in the program with a couple of sketches (and discovered just how much of a budding actor Daryl is!). It was great fun; everyone had a huge smile on their face. On our drive back to the Guest House we were able to see Kolkata at night. The event had left us in such high spirits that we started singing to our bus driver! 

Kolkata is a remarkable place. We are all trying to process the sadness of the poverty we are seeing, but equally, we are seeing why Kolkata is called the City of Joy. 

In case you were wondering, the team are doing so incredibly well. Everyone is looking out for one another and so far, throwing themselves in to this experience… and no one has been ill. Hooray! We’re all quite tired but I think that’s to be expected after the crazy week we’ve had. Tomorrow will be a bit of a down day, although we have got plans to go out for dinner as the Guest House doesn’t provide an evening meal on Sunday. We’ve been told about an Italian restaurant which is very appealing to those on the team who have been struggling with the spicy food! 

No blog tomorrow I’m afraid, but we’ll be back with more of what we’ve been up to on Monday.

Day Nine: Gobindopur Girls Hostel & Chandpur Boys Hostel

by Daryl

Happy Independence Day! Yes, today is the day we celebrate the 70th anniversary of India's break from British rule, and no, we weren't stoned in the streets. Instead we were received with the same incredible welcome that we have been greeted with every day of our visit. The realisation is gradually building that more than colours, smells and noise, India is about love, joy and hospitality.

We started the day with the hoisting of the flag (an incredibly attractive flag if you're into vexillology) which, as per, ran on IST (India Stretch Time). But never the less made me well up inside like the soppy so and so I am.

The main segment of the day consisted of visiting GNCEM's Gobindopur girls hostel and Chandpur boys hostel; yet another great example of the great work GNCEM have done... Did I say it was great? 

We sang, they danced, we acted, they ran round like there's no tomorrow, and we celebrated together. There was even the very competitive event of the India vs England Olympics (we lost).

One thing that struck me like a hot iron was that these kids (who started out at the mobile street schools) have so much passion and dedication in anything they turn their hand to. These kids have come from having virtually nothing, and through the ceaseless hard work put in by Subir and Eunok Roy and everyone who works with them, they have come through the GNCEM system and now have a safe bed every night and three meals a day: Fantastico! GNCEM rely on sponsors to provide this for each child - a practical way we can help, perhaps?

Also, it is important to remember; not every child living on the streets of Kolkata is as fortunate.

The team is doing better than ever and, dispite some inevitable gastrointestinal hicups we are there for each other. 

I am so glad to see the work of good people like the staff at the hostels, I feel like a glass being filled with the water of inspiration... Good things shall surely come from this trip.

As the sun goes down on the city and the flags continue to flutter in the light winds, I remain in contemplation of the stupendous events my eyes have seen today; the epitome of selflessness... We can all learn from this... There's still time.

Oh... and one more thing... just to be on the safe side, let's not colonise anywhere ever again.

Day Ten - Bhagobanpur & Gangajoara Schools

by Luke

Today started like any other here; breakfast and then waiting outside the Guest House straining to catch the first glimpse of the yellow GNCEM bus. Unfortunately all of the buses here are yellow so it can be quite a challenge.

Bhagobanpur is on the other side of a lake from Daspara School and we could see Daspara’s yellow building as we walked along the side of the lake. Bhagobanpur has been supported by Khushi Feet; we supplied the money for their boundary wall which is brightly coloured and decorated with Khushi’s blue footprints. The wall keeps the children safe and allows the school to keep goats which were the first thing we saw upon entering. 

We are now used to the scenario of going to the main hall, being sung to and then singing to the children. Despite the fact that they probably do the same thing every time they are visited and we have done the same thing for two weeks it is still rewarding to see their faces light up. That may have been helped by the stickers and sweets we gave them. 

And then we were off, a flying visit as we were trying to get to the Gangajoara School before the children went home. Despite the best efforts of the driver we were stuck in a traffic jam in a market. The bus inched past stalls laden with colourful fruits and vegetables before finally being released back to a normal speed. Gangajour is a little more remote and accessed by a dirt track that the bus couldn’t navigate so we walked along a brick path in the mud to a school very much still under construction. 

There are only 3 classes there at the moment but the intention is to grow with every year until there are 10 classes. This time a quick song from them and us before the children had to go home in the heat. Khushi Feet has supplied the funding for the ground floor windows, doors and floor tiles here and while only a small thing, this has helped them tremendously. It’s very encouraging to see first-hand how Khushi fundraising is actually making a difference. 

Both schools are surrounded by a very pleasant amount of green fields, quite waterlogged with the monsoon but a visual break from the greys and dirt of the city. There are many more cows out in the rural areas and one even waded across to us, to the accompaniment of the humming of the Jaws theme.

Back on the bus again and off. Subir and Eunok (founders of GNCEM) kindly treated us to Chinese for lunch at a nearby mall food court, much less grand than the mall we had seen last week but still a world away from the streets it is surrounded by. One more bus journey back to the guest house for a much needed rest. 

Things I have learned today: Do not sit on the wheel arch of an Indian bus; bumps in the road lift you out of your seat and painfully back down. Napping on a bus isn’t advisable either. Also the lovely green fields hide cobras, picnic at your peril!

Day Eleven - Pathetsesh School

by the Team (a collaborative effort)

Today we visited the school in Pathesesh - a village in a very remote area. The bus arrived promptly which was just as well as the journey was two and a half hours long! Here's how the team have described the journey:

"Bumpy-wumpy, ouch!"
"Wow that's a nice cow"
"Mega lolz but also much culturalism"
"Clickity-clack on the track"
"Honk honk!"
"Are we nearly there yet? I need a wee!!!"

Once we arrived, there was a mad rush for the toilet, which thankfully wasn't a squat toilet but it did lack a door. This is because they're in the process of building new parts of the school, which was very exciting to see. The construction work (which only started last year) is not complete, however we were told that as soon as a classroom is ready it is furnished with desks and a blackboard - these builders and decorators don't hang about!

Pathesesh is such a lovely rural part of Kolkata. Here's how the team have described the area:

"Hard to pronounce!"
"Luscious and green"
"Picture-perfect"
"Full of flooded rice paddies"
"Fresh as a daisy"

It was nice to be somewhere with fresh air away from the pressure of the city. But we weren't there just to enjoy the countryside. We had school kids to meet...

We had a quick sing-song with the kiddies and gave them "candies" and stickers. The delight on their face was indescribable... But the team have tried to describe it even so:

"Lit up like fireworks"
"Grateful"
"Wonderfully polite"
"So so so happy and cheerful"
"Khushi!"

We had a delicious Byriani for lunch at the school before clambering back onto the bus for the journey home. Some of us are quite tired after today. Here's how the team have described how they're feeling:

"Exhaust-a-roony!"
"Pooped!"
"Ready for hibernation"

But don't worry, after a chilled-out evening and a good night's rest, we'll be back with a bang and renewed strength ready to take on what tomorrow has in store.

Day Twelve - Hatibagan Mobile School (again)

by Emily

Kolkata has a very special place in my heart. Being back here - in the City of Joy - has been bringing back so many memories; memories of the things I saw and did which inspired me to set up Khushi Feet back in 2012. 

Back in the UK, when Khushi Feet is fundraising for the street schools here in Kolkata, we're not seeing first-hand how much of a difference our money is making. Fundraising is hard work and often, the only thing that motivates me to keep going is my memories of the street schools here. These memories remind me just how much of a lifeline these schools really are for street children.

Let me share with you a perfect example of this...

Today we were back at the Hatibagan (which means 'Elephant Garden') Mobile School. During play time, I was chatting with an inspiring young woman called Nasreen. Many years ago when she was a little girl, Nasreen used to live on the streets of Kolkata. I asked her to describe what this was like, but she couldn't tell me. It was a difficult time for her as her father passed away - the memories were too painful for her to recall. She started coming to GNCEM's mobile school at Hatibagan and very quickly realised how much of a fantastic opportunity it was for her. Before long she moved up to the Girls Hostel where she successfully completed her exams. Nasreen is now a teacher at the Hatibagan school.

Nasreen is only 20, but is very mature for her years. Living on the streets hasn't hardened her, however in talking to her I can tell that she is an incredibly strong woman. At the same time, she has a very calm and gentle presence - she engages perfectly with her young students from the streets and can relate to them completely. She clearly still doesn't take anything in her life for granted and she is eternally grateful to GNCEM for helping her off the streets and into employment.

The street schools which Khushi Feet supports are changing lives. Fact. After meeting Nasreen, I will be heading home on Sunday with a renewed enthusiasm for continuing to support these schools. 

I have spent the last couple of days chatting with the directors of the GNCEM schools about how we can help in the near future. There are some very exciting ideas in the pipeline, so watch this space! 

No one person can change the world or eradicate extreme poverty. But we can all do our bit and when we pull together, lives can be changed. I have seen a real-life example of this today in Nasreen. I hope you will support Khushi Feet and join us as we continue to help provide street children with an education - these beautiful kids deserve their footsteps to freedom.

Day Thirteen - Mother House & Salt Lake Slum

by Hannah

Mother Teresa worked with the poorest of the poor, of which there are many in Kolkata. The place where she lived, worked and died is only minutes from where we are staying and that’s where we headed first. The room she lived in was very humble with only basic furniture such as a bed and desk. But the whole place was filled with a sense of peace and calm. Inside the house it says that Mother Teresa’s life and service were based on the gospel passage ‘Truly I Say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it for me’ Matthew 25:40.

After this we visited the Salt Lake Slum to see the work of the SEED Society (Save Entrust Equip Disciple). In Pastor Piyas and Sister Jayashree who are running this project I could see the attitude of Mother Teresa at work in the modern day slums of Kolkata.

The conditions in the slum were shocking and totally heart breaking to see. There is no clean or running water, no electricity and the ‘homes’ are put together out of whatever can be found lying around. However as I looked around at the work SEED are doing and saw the smiles on the faces of the children I could feel a sense of hope and purpose coming from the people living there.

SEED have managed to get the older children into Indian schools and have set up a school teaching the younger ones while the parents are at work. The children did a performance for us involving some very impressive Indian dancing while we tried not to die of the heat! For the first time in India it was actually hotter inside than out (no air conditioning). Then we did a story and some songs with them including ‘Allelu’ which seems to be a favourite.

We also saw the fantastic projects that SEED are doing with the women. The women come twice a week to do a course in tailoring, hairdressing or beautification. They are also taught to read and write. We heard the story of one woman, who after completing the beautification course has opened her own mobile shop allowing her to support herself and her family. Another woman said how proud she was of now being able to read and write as it gave her a feeling of dignity. A skill we don’t even think about allowed her to sign her name at the bank and stop being cheated by people taking advantage. These women also said that after praying for their husbands they have noticed a remarkable difference in their behaviour for the better. Later in the day we saw the beauty salon that three of the women from the slums run after completing the beautification course.

SEED have also given solar lamps to the slum so that the school aged children are able to study. Before this the children would go out onto the streets in the evenings and find a street lamp to sit under so they could do their homework. That’s how keen to learn they are!

"The greatest poverty is being unloved, unwanted and uncared for" ~ Mother Teresa

"Today the poor of the world are looking up at you, do you look at them with compassion? Do you have compassion for the poor who are hungry? They are hungry not only for bread and rice, they are hungry to be recognised as human" ~ Mother Teresa

It would be easy to look around at the poverty in Kolkata and think ‘the problem is too extensive there’s nothing I could possibly do to help’ but I am reminded of a quote of Mother Teresa ‘I alone can’t change the world but I can cast a stone to create many ripples’.

Day Fourteen - Indian Museum & Packing for Home

by Stefano

Today is our last day in Kolkata, this has resulted in us not doing all that much and stirring up many mixed thoughts and emotions.

All just about fit and healthy, if not very tired, we went for coffee at about mid morning in a café called 8th Day, which supports women trapped in Kolkata's sex trade. It was a strangely western café for a side street of Kolkata but all the same very nice. Then we came back to where we have been staying and did some packing. After lunch we went off to The Indian Museum, a rather strange museum in that one of the exhibits was was made out of plywood and yet claimed to be the Rosetta Stone. It also included some dead animals which had a sign to tell us that they were "some animals that lived a long time ago" - very helpful! Even more helpful was when they stopped the translation of the information in the middle of a sentence because they couldn't fit it in - we found these quirks very entertaining!

Then we went straight to Fire and Ice - an Italian restaurant - for a last team meal which wasn't curried!

All in all an incredible two weeks and a very nice final day.

EPILOGUE: As the team is flying home tomorrow, this will be the last daily blog post, so thanks for reading and following our trip to Kolkata. It's been amazing and challenging; heartbreaking and joyful all at the same time. As we said at the beginning, this trip has been a life changing experience for the team members which has moulded them into young people who are eager to make a difference in our world.