November 4

It's Sunday morning, the only day off from school, so it is nice to be hanging out this morning with internet connection.  Since the English newspaper won't be delivered until later, I thought I'd share
some of the highlights of the past few days. There are always many, which you may never think about in the USA.

Having recovered after two hospital visits this week(tours!), we are happy to report seeing no signs of leprosy in either of us. These are written about in the following blog. I failed to mention that the leprosy doctor we met with has the disease himself. Otherwise, who would treat the lepers? Pretty bizarre concept, huh?

Leprosy Doctor explaining to us the symptoms.

Hospital TB Lab

We brought 40 bright blue backpacks with us from the US. Yesterday, we handed them out
to the students who have had perfect attendance since July, which was the beginning of the school year. There is no school summer break here. Girls attend school year round, with 18 days off. The new academic year begins 7/1. 11, out of 400 students, in grades 1-5 kids, received them. A  total of 32 in the entire school. It was a big day, as many of their parents(20 out of 400) came to school. We took photos with
the students and their parents, and made a big deal of out their perfect attendance.There were even 3 fathers here! That is most special! It was also a time for parents to meet with teachers(our  parent teacher conference).

25 more solar lanterns were distributed yesterday, so we took part in that distribution, as well.
Mothers who received them were told that if their daughters' attendance dropped below 70
percent, they will lose their lantern. Last night, we went back to the same community,Madargate(this is the very poorest community). The population is mostly muslim, very lowest caste, the one the school is most actively working in to implement changes. As a result, great thingsare occurring there. The new lanterns are sturdier, smaller and brighter than the original 100, distributed over the past several months. It is exciting to see these women receive their lanterns, as they have seen the way they light up homes as never before.

Every Sat. night the school shows a movie at the toilet complex there. We went to the movie, which was a 60's black and white hindi film. They charge 2 rupees(4 cents) for adults to watch it. Free for
kids. Instead of paying the $$, the residents sit up on the 6' wall to watch. It was a big night, as 68 people bought tickets. Total revenue? $3 US.

With about 100 kids there(and very  few parents), I thought about the babies being made while they kids were at the movie. Scary thought, as there are tons of babies all over. If they can walk, they wander the streets aimlessly, often naked and alone.

A graduate at the school is the first female here to drive a scooter here in the village.The school bought one to teach those who want to learn to drive. Really cool to watch the graduate, now a village worker, ride her scooter off to work. Her brother bought it for her.

A potential new school nurse is being interviewed for position on Monday. She sounds like an awesome candidate, so I am praying she is and can get here soon.  Our 17 y.o. current "nurse" is doing well, but
truly not qualified for the job. She is a teenager who needs prompting and direction.

We visited another school last week, and found the conditions to be deplorable. Since they don't use t.p. in India, they wash with water that is in a bucket. A rusty bucket, filled with water, sat in the toilet for the girls to use. Our school has hoses, a big step up from rusty paint bucket! There was garbage in their only sink.

Their computer lab consists of 3 broken computers, yet they boast of having a computer lab. Their health care consists of one small first aid kit. No nurse! No facility!Thursday was another big festival. Married women fast, from food and water, for the day. They pray for their husbands to have long lives. At midnight,

they drink a drop of water from husbands hand to honor him. There is no festival held to honor wives. Hmmmm.

Today is big day. 1200 women are coming from their villages to the launch of the Self Help Group program. These women will be using toilets many for the first time. Students will show the women how to use toilets,
as they have only ever used fields. There are no toilets for 50000 families here, other than 89 school has built for top students, as well as the one community toilet.The students will also serve them water, from shared cups. They usually get their water from the village well, instead of from pitchers being poured into cups. They fill water cup, and pour it into their mouth, so they don't drink directly from it.  Another new concept!!!!

We are off to meet with Renuka and nurse about health program, and what sanitation and hygiene mean. It doesn't mean putting new bandaids on the floor! Til next time....