As hard as it is to hear about adoption being disrupted or annulled, it is better for a child not to live in an environment that is not conducive for his happiness and development. To address this, CARA has developed provisions either for disruption or dissolution of adoption. This video below explains all about that and more.
Showing posts with label The HOPE House. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The HOPE House. Show all posts
Monday, April 22, 2019
Monday, April 09, 2018
Is it appropriate to have a price tag for child adoptions?
We've all heard of the adage that "where there is no cost, there is no value" and that may be true in terms of commodities but how does it sound if it has to be applied to a human life?
Thursday, April 05, 2018
What is pre-adoption foster care?
In Juvenile & Justice Act (JJ Act), the phrase "foster care" is used in two different contexts. Most are familiar with one (foster care) but many are not be aware of the other (pre-adoption foster care). There are advantages and disadvantages in the pre-adoption foster care and if you're a prospective adoptive parent, you ought to be familiar with it.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
"Voice of Hope" - Newsletter of the Hope House
Here is the latest edition of
"Voice of Hope" - Newsletter of the Hope House. We hope that
you'd enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed compiling it. Use the zoom
in/ out/ full screen icons at the bottom of the viewing box to set your viewing
preferences.
Monday, July 02, 2012
Bank form for the Hope House
If you live in India and would wish to give standing orders to your public sector bank to help India to receive your help on a regular basis, kindly use this form.
"Voice of Hope" - Newsletter of the Hope House.
Here is our newest newsletter "Voice of Hope". Hope you like it as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you. Would love to hear from you.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
My girls way of celebrating "Joy of Giving" week
Both my girls are very close to all the HOPE House girls. They know them so well that they know also of their needs. Last year, when we were having housing difficulties and contemplating about building our own building, they decided to chip in their might into the hat
They started their own clay Kiddy Banks and started asking all the guests to our house to donate to the cause of the Hope House. Few times they were so aggressive that mom and dad had to stop them from guests being embarrassed.
After they broke their pots and counted the money, mom had a jaw drop expression when she heard the amount. Well..... it came up to be Rs. 321.25/-
We are so happy and proud of our girls for being sensitive of their friends needs and doing their bit.
They started their own clay Kiddy Banks and started asking all the guests to our house to donate to the cause of the Hope House. Few times they were so aggressive that mom and dad had to stop them from guests being embarrassed.
Here is the picture of their kiddy banks
Now, as we began to talk about the "Joy of Giving" week and "Learn N Earn" Project (by the way they are also participating in the project with their own science experiments), they thought it might be better they give away their kiddy bank money. My little one brought one of her own kiddy bank and said "Daddy, can I give my money to the HOPE House"? I couldn't resist and next thing was that she volunteered for her older sister and convinced her to give away also. Lydia gladly accepted her younger siblings request but she wanted to break her pot.
After they broke their pots and counted the money, mom had a jaw drop expression when she heard the amount. Well..... it came up to be Rs. 321.25/-
We are so happy and proud of our girls for being sensitive of their friends needs and doing their bit.
Lydia and Lily breaking their kiddy banks
Friday, September 23, 2011
Learn N Earn
HOPE House, for the first time, joining hands with GiveIndia to observe "Joy of Giving" week from October 2nd to 8th, 2011. Here are the details about how we plan to celebrate.
Hope House (HH) girls have a library of their own and they have many books on home based science experiments. About a year ago, two of our girls did an experiment to turn a real egg into a rubber egg as a science experiment. We recorded it and put it on a laptop for them to demonstrate it at their school after obtaining permission from the school Principal.
Even after more than a year, they still remember the experiment. This is encouraging other girls to learn that what you learn by hands on and by demonstrating to teach to others helps to remember better. Since then, many girls have done small time home based science experiments.
Now we want to take it to the next level. October 2nd to 8th is observed as the “Joy of Giving” week where one can give for any cause of their choice. What we are doing is this: All the girls are encouraged to demonstrate as many science experiments as they possibly can and each experiment will win them 100 rupees which in turn will be donated to the HH.
You can experience the joy of giving at the HH on October 8th @ 6:00 PM where our girls will showcase their experiments. If this encourages you to support the girls, please donate towards their prize money which in turn will be donated to the HH. You also will get a tax deductable receipt. We plan to ask the neighborhood children to join the HH girls so that more under privileged children develop interest in science.
Hope House (HH) girls have a library of their own and they have many books on home based science experiments. About a year ago, two of our girls did an experiment to turn a real egg into a rubber egg as a science experiment. We recorded it and put it on a laptop for them to demonstrate it at their school after obtaining permission from the school Principal.
Even after more than a year, they still remember the experiment. This is encouraging other girls to learn that what you learn by hands on and by demonstrating to teach to others helps to remember better. Since then, many girls have done small time home based science experiments.
Now we want to take it to the next level. October 2nd to 8th is observed as the “Joy of Giving” week where one can give for any cause of their choice. What we are doing is this: All the girls are encouraged to demonstrate as many science experiments as they possibly can and each experiment will win them 100 rupees which in turn will be donated to the HH.
You can experience the joy of giving at the HH on October 8th @ 6:00 PM where our girls will showcase their experiments. If this encourages you to support the girls, please donate towards their prize money which in turn will be donated to the HH. You also will get a tax deductable receipt. We plan to ask the neighborhood children to join the HH girls so that more under privileged children develop interest in science.
If you live away from Vellore, kindly donate through our site at http://www.giveindia.org/igive-thehopehouse and state in the comments section about your designation for “Learn n Earn” project so that the girls will know how much money they have raised for the HH.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Thoughts of Khalil Gibran on Giving
Below are Khalil Gibran's thoughts on Giving. Gibran is considered to be the third most widely read poet in history, behind Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu. Trick in reading these thoughts is not to read em like a novel.
Then said a rich man, "Speak to us of Giving."
And he answered:
You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow?
And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the overprudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?
And what is fear of need but need itself?
Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, thirst that is unquenchable?
There are those who give little of the much which they have - and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.
And there are those who have little and give it all.
These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.
There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.
And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.
And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue;
They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.
Though the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.
It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding;
And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving
And is there aught you would withhold?
All you have shall some day be given;
Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors'.
You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving."
The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.
They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.
Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights is worthy of all else from you.
And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream.
And what desert greater shall there be than that which lies in the courage and the confidence, nay the charity, of receiving?
And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?
See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving.
For in truth it is life that gives unto life - while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness.
And you receivers - and you are all receivers - assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives.
Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings;
For to be over mindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the free-hearted earth for mother, and God for father.
Then said a rich man, "Speak to us of Giving."
And he answered:
You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow?
And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the overprudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?
And what is fear of need but need itself?
Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, thirst that is unquenchable?
There are those who give little of the much which they have - and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.
And there are those who have little and give it all.
These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.
There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.
And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.
And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue;
They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.
Though the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.
It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding;
And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving
And is there aught you would withhold?
All you have shall some day be given;
Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors'.
You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving."
The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.
They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.
Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights is worthy of all else from you.
And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream.
And what desert greater shall there be than that which lies in the courage and the confidence, nay the charity, of receiving?
And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?
See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving.
For in truth it is life that gives unto life - while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness.
And you receivers - and you are all receivers - assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives.
Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings;
For to be over mindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the free-hearted earth for mother, and God for father.
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
HOPE House for Haiti
It was just before our independence day (August 15th) last year I heard from the three HOPE House girls that they wanted to join the Junior Red Cross (JRC) in their school (Read their story here in our last year's newsletter). After the staff consultation, we decided to get them the uniform that they need for it.
We wanted to help them to understand what it means to give so we gave them a project. We got them all a small clay kiddy bank to collect money from our visitors and there they went. Our girls read newspaper everyday and they found out about Haiti and its devastating earthquake.
I asked them if they would consider donating this money to the Red Cross International with their money being designated for Haiti earthquake victims. They gladly agreed and went on a spree to collect more before giving to the Red Cross.
We wanted to help them to understand what it means to give so we gave them a project. We got them all a small clay kiddy bank to collect money from our visitors and there they went. Our girls read newspaper everyday and they found out about Haiti and its devastating earthquake.
I asked them if they would consider donating this money to the Red Cross International with their money being designated for Haiti earthquake victims. They gladly agreed and went on a spree to collect more before giving to the Red Cross.
We invited the Secretary of Red Cross of our district to receive the funds. JRC girls got dressed in uniform and waited for the event. When she arrived, we gave the kiddy banks to her and told her about the objective (to teach the kids to give). She was so impressed with the girls that went on and on about how good she feels about this and said “I had never heard anything like this before”. Girls were so thrilled and that certainly brought great joy to all of us to know that the girls’ efforts were worthy and fruitful.
We also invited the media to give boost to the kids confidence and ‘The Hindu’ and ‘Indian Express’ responded to cover the story. Hindu reporter was so moved by the girls’ gesture that he dropped in his small bit of contribution in the kiddy bank for the Haiti victims.
Before the Secretary left, our staff counted the money and it came out to be 2127 rupees. We’ll make a demand draft with the money to the Red Cross before giving it to them. This event has brought enormous awareness about the JRC to the rest of the girls and our Secretary did a good job of teaching them all about Red Cross as a whole.
We are all very proud of our girls and now all the HOPE House girls want to engage in a new project – ‘Giving our labor’
Three JRC girls giving the clay kiddy banks to
the Red Cross Society Secretary
Entire group of HOPE House girls with the
Red Cross Society's Secretary of our district
Before the Secretary left, our staff counted the money and it came out to be 2127 rupees. We’ll make a demand draft with the money to the Red Cross before giving it to them. This event has brought enormous awareness about the JRC to the rest of the girls and our Secretary did a good job of teaching them all about Red Cross as a whole.
We are all very proud of our girls and now all the HOPE House girls want to engage in a new project – ‘Giving our labor’
Monday, February 01, 2010
Child of the month of the HOPE House
First day of any month at the HOPE House brings a different kind of excitement. We all wait for the announcement of “Child of the month”. This is an award HOPE House has constituted to promote an environment of learning through positive reinforcement for the children to learn good habits.
First day of any month at the HOPE House brings a different kind of excitement. We all wait for the announcement of “Child of the month”. This is an award HOPE House has constituted to promote an environment of learning through positive reinforcement for the children to learn good habits.
Our Social Worker, Office Manager and the Warden sit and decide who the ‘child of the month’ is and it is kept as a super secret. Children are evaluated on eight categories such as academics, personal hygiene, interpersonal relations, extra-curricular activities, leadership skills, nutrition, helping others, and sponsor relations etc.
Several days before the first of the upcoming month, excitement starts by each one guessing who will win. On the first of the month, we normally have someone from outside to give away the gift of 25 rupees (55 cents). Team prepares a write up about the reasons for choosing a particular child and reads it aloud for everyone to hear it.
Previous month’s winner will remove her write up from the notice board and gives it to the staff to keep it in her file while the new winner put her write up with a photo on the notice board and gives an acceptance speech.
First day of any month at the HOPE House brings a different kind of excitement. We all wait for the announcement of “Child of the month”. This is an award HOPE House has constituted to promote an environment of learning through positive reinforcement for the children to learn good habits.
Our Social Worker, Office Manager and the Warden sit and decide who the ‘child of the month’ is and it is kept as a super secret. Children are evaluated on eight categories such as academics, personal hygiene, interpersonal relations, extra-curricular activities, leadership skills, nutrition, helping others, and sponsor relations etc.
Several days before the first of the upcoming month, excitement starts by each one guessing who will win. On the first of the month, we normally have someone from outside to give away the gift of 25 rupees (55 cents). Team prepares a write up about the reasons for choosing a particular child and reads it aloud for everyone to hear it.
Previous month’s winner will remove her write up from the notice board and gives it to the staff to keep it in her file while the new winner put her write up with a photo on the notice board and gives an acceptance speech.
New winner (Bommi) giving an acceptance speech
Gayathri (previous month's winner) removing her
write up from the notice board
Previous month's winner (on the right)
greeting the new winner (left)
Bommi receiving her prize from a British volunteer.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
HOPE House year (2009) in a nutshell
As 2009 is winding down to the wire, we at the HOPE House have prepared a powerpoint presentation to all our supporters (and to all those that are interested to know our work) to show our year's work and to say thank you.
Please click on the icon 'full' below the slide (fourth icon from the left) to enlarge the presentation to the size of your computer screen. Enjoy.
Please click on the icon 'full' below the slide (fourth icon from the left) to enlarge the presentation to the size of your computer screen. Enjoy.
HOPE House year (2009) in a nutshell.
View more presentations from rubynakka.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
"Voice of HOPE" Newsletter (June, 2009)
Here is our latest newsletter "Voice of HOPE". We hope you like it as much as we enjoyed compiling it.
If you're not comfortable reading the newsletter from the reader box that you see below this message, simply click on the icon at the top right corner of the reader box and it enlarges the newsletter to the size of your desktop. You can also use the zooming tools too (plus and minus icons) to enlarge the content. Please forward this newsletter (link) to as many friends as you can to spread the message of our work. As always, we would love to hear from you.
Voice of HOPE (June, 2009)
If you're not comfortable reading the newsletter from the reader box that you see below this message, simply click on the icon at the top right corner of the reader box and it enlarges the newsletter to the size of your desktop. You can also use the zooming tools too (plus and minus icons) to enlarge the content. Please forward this newsletter (link) to as many friends as you can to spread the message of our work. As always, we would love to hear from you.
Voice of HOPE (June, 2009)
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Google pays us!!
It was in the month of May of 2007, I was travelling to Bangalore and bought a ‘Money’ magazine to read. In it, I read about the new phenomenon that is sweeping across the world called ‘blogging’. I was surprised to read how people are making a living out of it and that caught my attention. Rest is history.
While living in the US, I had my own personal blog but I thought then that to have a blog was meant to maintain a personal diary in public. What I learnt in the money magazine was that people maintain their own blogs and if they wish, fortune 500 company ‘Google’ places content appropriate advertisements on the blog. Google pays the blog owner when a visitor clicks on an ad.
As you may be aware that we run a small orphanage in India called “The HOPE House” to care for 15 girls, and I decided to convert my personal blog to the hope house and write on it (blog) on the topic that has become a passion of my life now – Adoption. Slowly pennies started coming in for my writing and that inspired me to write more. Google policy doesn’t pay out until 100 dollars are accumulated and it took 15 months to accumulate the first 100 dollars. Since we live in India, they send out money in Indian currency.
Below is the image of a cheque that we had received from Google for you to see. Click on the image to enlarge it to read the details.
While living in the US, I had my own personal blog but I thought then that to have a blog was meant to maintain a personal diary in public. What I learnt in the money magazine was that people maintain their own blogs and if they wish, fortune 500 company ‘Google’ places content appropriate advertisements on the blog. Google pays the blog owner when a visitor clicks on an ad.
As you may be aware that we run a small orphanage in India called “The HOPE House” to care for 15 girls, and I decided to convert my personal blog to the hope house and write on it (blog) on the topic that has become a passion of my life now – Adoption. Slowly pennies started coming in for my writing and that inspired me to write more. Google policy doesn’t pay out until 100 dollars are accumulated and it took 15 months to accumulate the first 100 dollars. Since we live in India, they send out money in Indian currency.
Below is the image of a cheque that we had received from Google for you to see. Click on the image to enlarge it to read the details.
In the first few months of blogging itself I learnt that it is the content and the quality content alone is the secret to success. I knew then that I couldn’t do this work all by myself so I started to invite others also to write. Now I am beginning to believe that this could become a movement where people write on a topic of their choice on our blog and support the hope house operations (caring for disadvantaged children) as well.
It is my hope and goal for the future to make this a premiere blog (or a web site) for family related issues including adoption. If this inspires you to join this (to write on our blog) work, we say welcome with open arms. Read our FAQ section to learn more about the work.
I still can’t believe that we got our first payment and it would be an understatement to say ‘Thank you’ to all our blog authors. Let’s continue to write. With this experience I also learnt that to operate an NGO doesn’t mean to depend on government grants and others donations alone but we can also be creative enough to do our part to support the operations. This gave us a newer understanding of good stewardship of others resources.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
How you can help the HOPE House….
If you’re reading this line after reading the heading above, you got to be brave not to believe the obvious. Most of the time when I talk about this topic, I see a huge red flag in people’s faces thinking that I am about to ask them for huge donations. Well…. there are other ways you could help this mission.
If you’re new, let me tell you what HOPE House is to begin with: It is a registered charitable trust in India that runs a small orphanage in a town called Vellore in the state of Tamilnadu. HOPE House maintains this web site and the revenue that is generated by the adsense belongs to the HOPE House (Click here to read more about it).
If you're living in India and would like to support us financially, kindly make your payment addressed to "The HOPE House" and mail your payment to the address given below. HOPE House is a tax exempt (80G) non-profit organization in India and your contributions (that are made in India) will receive a tax exemption certificate along with a receipt from us.
Our address:
The HOPE House
16/28, 25th East Cross Road
Gandhinagar
Vellore-632006
Tamilnadu
HOPE House International is our supporting organization in the US and it is a 501c3 organization. If you're living in the US and would like to support our work, please write your payments to "HOPE House International" and send your payment to the address below:
HOPE House International
PO Box 7438
If you’re new, let me tell you what HOPE House is to begin with: It is a registered charitable trust in India that runs a small orphanage in a town called Vellore in the state of Tamilnadu. HOPE House maintains this web site and the revenue that is generated by the adsense belongs to the HOPE House (Click here to read more about it).
If you're living in India and would like to support us financially, kindly make your payment addressed to "The HOPE House" and mail your payment to the address given below. HOPE House is a tax exempt (80G) non-profit organization in India and your contributions (that are made in India) will receive a tax exemption certificate along with a receipt from us.
Our address:
The HOPE House
16/28, 25th East Cross Road
Gandhinagar
Vellore-632006
Tamilnadu
HOPE House International is our supporting organization in the US and it is a 501c3 organization. If you're living in the US and would like to support our work, please write your payments to "HOPE House International" and send your payment to the address below:
HOPE House International
PO Box 7438
Chico, CA 95927-7438
You can also make your contribution online to HOPE House International at this link
HOPE House International web site: http://hhinternational.org/index.html
You can also make your contribution online to HOPE House International at this link
HOPE House International web site: http://hhinternational.org/index.html
Saturday, August 23, 2008
"Voice of HOPE" - Newsletter of the HOPE House
"Voice of HOPE" is a bi-monthly newsletter of the HOPE House and we have been releasing it for the past two years. We found a way to post the newsletter on this blog so this is our first newsletter being posted here.
Although the reader is used to optimize the content presentation, you can use 'zoom in' button (plus sign) or 'screen enlarge' button (last button on the top right corner)to enlarge the content to read it.
Although the reader is used to optimize the content presentation, you can use 'zoom in' button (plus sign) or 'screen enlarge' button (last button on the top right corner)to enlarge the content to read it.
Read this document on Scribd: Voice of HOPE (August, 2008)
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
India Trip - Coming home
I part with my group in London and wait out the time for my next flight. It is nice just to browse around the airport shops in a different country when you haven't been there much before. It was kinda relaxing just waiting for my flight knowing soon I would see my family again and I would be back "on call" for them when we touched down.
The last flight home was fine but seemed really long, I think about how big this world is that we fly so fast and still take so long to get to the other side, but then you get home and get on the computer and it can be right in your face, it is kinda strange.
Anyway, my plane touches down and I just want to see my families faces waiting for me, but I have to wait and stand in lines knowing they are just on the other side of all of this, so close. Finally I am through all the checks and have my luggage. I go through the doors and start searching for them, and then I see them waiting and watching, what a good feeling that was! I wonder how my little girl will react towards me after being gone so long, she smiles at me and says, "Hi Mom!" and then she comes right to me. It was so sweet and it is wonderful to feel her in my arms again. I think the webcam did the trick for us, as we were able to talk about everyday while I was gone, then I think, good thing the world is so small that way.
My other kids look like they have gotten taller. My husband smiles too and we all get hugs and get on our way, I can't wait to show them all the things that I have brought for them and just to do family things again. I love that I have many things and experiences to share with Sananda, and her sibs, from her first country. We plan to go with her to India when she is old enough to process all that is going on so she can experience for herself firsthand, but in the meantime I will have plenty to share with her.
Thanks for following my journey, I hope you enjoyed!
The last flight home was fine but seemed really long, I think about how big this world is that we fly so fast and still take so long to get to the other side, but then you get home and get on the computer and it can be right in your face, it is kinda strange.
Anyway, my plane touches down and I just want to see my families faces waiting for me, but I have to wait and stand in lines knowing they are just on the other side of all of this, so close. Finally I am through all the checks and have my luggage. I go through the doors and start searching for them, and then I see them waiting and watching, what a good feeling that was! I wonder how my little girl will react towards me after being gone so long, she smiles at me and says, "Hi Mom!" and then she comes right to me. It was so sweet and it is wonderful to feel her in my arms again. I think the webcam did the trick for us, as we were able to talk about everyday while I was gone, then I think, good thing the world is so small that way.
My other kids look like they have gotten taller. My husband smiles too and we all get hugs and get on our way, I can't wait to show them all the things that I have brought for them and just to do family things again. I love that I have many things and experiences to share with Sananda, and her sibs, from her first country. We plan to go with her to India when she is old enough to process all that is going on so she can experience for herself firsthand, but in the meantime I will have plenty to share with her.
Thanks for following my journey, I hope you enjoyed!
Monday, August 04, 2008
India Trip-Day 12
Vanakkam !
Chennai Azhagagha Ulladu!
It will be a busy day as we get in some sight-seeing and shopping before heading out late this evening for the airport. We visited St. John's, in the fort, the 4th oldest church. Then we went to St. Mary's church to see St. Thomas' burial site. My son told me to get pictures, so accomplished that misson. Behind the church is the Bay of Bengal and we got our feet wet.
There was a boy swimming in the waves and it looked like he would drown, but he was just having a great time. There is a ship shaped building made of bricks on the beach and it looks like there are some people living in it, I am not sure what this really is here for.
We get some more shopping in and visit the grocery at the mall. It is getting late and after a rest at the hotel we decide to eat at a nice Indian restuarant. Word is that there is live music too! I am getting excited to go here, we get in and the place is really small. There is a microphone so I think we may get to hear some Indian music, which surprisingly enough we have heard hardly any of. We order our meal and a guy goes up to the microphone, the music starts to play, but it isn't Tamil or any Indian music. He is singing an English hymn. I like it, but am very surprised. All of the songs are in English, it was a nice place and the food was really good. Some of the girls ordered death by chocolate for dessert, it looked so good that I had to try it.
We hailed three autorickshaw drivers to take us back to the hotel. I honestly think they were racing with each other, because they were laughing as we kept coming up past each other. It was fun to have entertaining drivers for our last night in town.
We head to the airport about 11 p.m. even though our flight doesn't leave till about 3 a.m. so that we don't have to be out on the roads late at night. I guess we are feeling goofy while waiting at the airport as there is nothing to do once we get checked in. We decide to play cards while we wait and we have an audience. We move to the waiting area for our plane and this guy comes up and asks if he can join in a card game with us, I guess it looked like we were having lots of fun. So, he joins us and it turns out that he was just down further south in India teaching at another orphanage. It was kinda cool to run into someone else who had been doing the same sort of thing that we had.
Well, it is finally time to leave Chennai and I had bought some candies, as the barfi that I wanted were only sold outside of the gate and I didn't know it so I missed buying it. I find some Appy Fizz to buy for my husband instead of the barfi, knowing he will like this too. I get up to the counter to check my bag through and I remember that you can't have drinks go through in your carry on. I am ticked now as I really wanted to take this through. I get up to the front of the line and ask them anyway because I bought it at thier airport. They said YES, I can take it through, I was so happy. But, when I got to the next check point to board the plane to London, they wouldn't let me take it on. I was bummed and had to drink both bottles or leave them. I was sad I couldn't take it along, so I offered one of the bottles to everyone else and no one wanted one. I had to drink both before I could go. Luckily these are small bottles or I would have been in trouble, these are fizzy, bubbly, apple tasting drinks, so it was not easy to drink them down so fast. They are kinda like ginger ale, I don't think you can get it here in the states. I just may have to check the Indian groceries here when I get a chance and see.
Chennai Azhagagha Ulladu!
It will be a busy day as we get in some sight-seeing and shopping before heading out late this evening for the airport. We visited St. John's, in the fort, the 4th oldest church. Then we went to St. Mary's church to see St. Thomas' burial site. My son told me to get pictures, so accomplished that misson. Behind the church is the Bay of Bengal and we got our feet wet.
There was a boy swimming in the waves and it looked like he would drown, but he was just having a great time. There is a ship shaped building made of bricks on the beach and it looks like there are some people living in it, I am not sure what this really is here for.
We get some more shopping in and visit the grocery at the mall. It is getting late and after a rest at the hotel we decide to eat at a nice Indian restuarant. Word is that there is live music too! I am getting excited to go here, we get in and the place is really small. There is a microphone so I think we may get to hear some Indian music, which surprisingly enough we have heard hardly any of. We order our meal and a guy goes up to the microphone, the music starts to play, but it isn't Tamil or any Indian music. He is singing an English hymn. I like it, but am very surprised. All of the songs are in English, it was a nice place and the food was really good. Some of the girls ordered death by chocolate for dessert, it looked so good that I had to try it.
We hailed three autorickshaw drivers to take us back to the hotel. I honestly think they were racing with each other, because they were laughing as we kept coming up past each other. It was fun to have entertaining drivers for our last night in town.
We head to the airport about 11 p.m. even though our flight doesn't leave till about 3 a.m. so that we don't have to be out on the roads late at night. I guess we are feeling goofy while waiting at the airport as there is nothing to do once we get checked in. We decide to play cards while we wait and we have an audience. We move to the waiting area for our plane and this guy comes up and asks if he can join in a card game with us, I guess it looked like we were having lots of fun. So, he joins us and it turns out that he was just down further south in India teaching at another orphanage. It was kinda cool to run into someone else who had been doing the same sort of thing that we had.
Well, it is finally time to leave Chennai and I had bought some candies, as the barfi that I wanted were only sold outside of the gate and I didn't know it so I missed buying it. I find some Appy Fizz to buy for my husband instead of the barfi, knowing he will like this too. I get up to the counter to check my bag through and I remember that you can't have drinks go through in your carry on. I am ticked now as I really wanted to take this through. I get up to the front of the line and ask them anyway because I bought it at thier airport. They said YES, I can take it through, I was so happy. But, when I got to the next check point to board the plane to London, they wouldn't let me take it on. I was bummed and had to drink both bottles or leave them. I was sad I couldn't take it along, so I offered one of the bottles to everyone else and no one wanted one. I had to drink both before I could go. Luckily these are small bottles or I would have been in trouble, these are fizzy, bubbly, apple tasting drinks, so it was not easy to drink them down so fast. They are kinda like ginger ale, I don't think you can get it here in the states. I just may have to check the Indian groceries here when I get a chance and see.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
India Trip- Day 11
Sadly this is the day we leave Vellore. I am looking forward to being home with my family again though and that gets me going. Before we leave we are visiting a place that helps to rehabilitate kids with Cerebal Palsy. I really enjoy learning about what all they do here, but the best part is the kids and seeing thier smiles. I think they enjoyed our being here and showing us how much they have memorized from their lessons. They spoke in Tamil so I couldn't understand the words, but they seemed to go on and on, so I know they are learning well.
We say good-bye to our hosts and we board the train to Chennai, I have been waiting to get a train ride and see what it is like. We have an air-conditioned car, I am cold, and this is nothing like I thought it would be. I had heard stories.....I won't go into it. We finally find a place for all of our luggage and start heading down the tracks. I did like the view of the country side which I also had been looking forward to seeing. My thoughts go over all of the trip that I just finished and I can't believe it is over already.
We get to Chennai and check into a hotel and then do some shopping. I FINALLY find an outfit that I really like and IT FITS. I am mad that I didn't get a second one there that I really liked, because this one fits so well. A funny thing when we were in the store is that after we were done shopping, one of the girls walks beside this machine that checks if you have stolen anything and it goes off. She got into the store with no problem and now she is making it beep. She can't leave, so she is taking out hair pins and walking through and putting her purse down and walking through and it just keeps beeping. The store personal want to know why she is beeping, so she gets this idea that her clothes must have a tag on them that she forgot to take out when she bought them. In the U.S. some stores carry clothes that have tags sown in them so you can't steal them. While she is trying to find this tag and looking everywhere and trying to be modest about it, it is so funny that we all are breaking into laughter but also wondering what she will do. She finally finds the tag and the store workers get her scissors to cut it out. She gets the tag out and walks through the machine, no beeping. But, the store worker still runs the tag by the machine by itself to make sure it is the problem. Sure enough it is the tag. There were about 6 guys standing there and they grabbed the tag and kept running it through the machine amazed that it is beeping. We finally can leave the store and do!
Went to the mall briefly and ate some Dominos pizza, it was good and more American tasting than I thought it would be. It was fun to see the mall is very similar to the malls back at home. We could watch cricket replays on the TV screen while we ate. I found a second suitcase to buy here so I can get everything home that I bought, and not have my other bags so heavy and hard to handle. I think I got a good buy on it and it is my favorite suitcase that I own now. Granted I really don't have that many, but it is still my favorite.
It is time to head back to the hotel for one more night in India and some sight-seeing tomorrow. It is freezing in the air-conditioned room, even the other girls are complaining. I leave the air on though because I think my roommate likes it and snuggle into the blankets to keep warm and go to sleep.
P.S. I am told the picture added is of a mailbox, but to an American it looks like a garbage can. Good thing I didn't have anything to throw away. :) Couldn't get my other pictures to load today.
We say good-bye to our hosts and we board the train to Chennai, I have been waiting to get a train ride and see what it is like. We have an air-conditioned car, I am cold, and this is nothing like I thought it would be. I had heard stories.....I won't go into it. We finally find a place for all of our luggage and start heading down the tracks. I did like the view of the country side which I also had been looking forward to seeing. My thoughts go over all of the trip that I just finished and I can't believe it is over already.
We get to Chennai and check into a hotel and then do some shopping. I FINALLY find an outfit that I really like and IT FITS. I am mad that I didn't get a second one there that I really liked, because this one fits so well. A funny thing when we were in the store is that after we were done shopping, one of the girls walks beside this machine that checks if you have stolen anything and it goes off. She got into the store with no problem and now she is making it beep. She can't leave, so she is taking out hair pins and walking through and putting her purse down and walking through and it just keeps beeping. The store personal want to know why she is beeping, so she gets this idea that her clothes must have a tag on them that she forgot to take out when she bought them. In the U.S. some stores carry clothes that have tags sown in them so you can't steal them. While she is trying to find this tag and looking everywhere and trying to be modest about it, it is so funny that we all are breaking into laughter but also wondering what she will do. She finally finds the tag and the store workers get her scissors to cut it out. She gets the tag out and walks through the machine, no beeping. But, the store worker still runs the tag by the machine by itself to make sure it is the problem. Sure enough it is the tag. There were about 6 guys standing there and they grabbed the tag and kept running it through the machine amazed that it is beeping. We finally can leave the store and do!
Went to the mall briefly and ate some Dominos pizza, it was good and more American tasting than I thought it would be. It was fun to see the mall is very similar to the malls back at home. We could watch cricket replays on the TV screen while we ate. I found a second suitcase to buy here so I can get everything home that I bought, and not have my other bags so heavy and hard to handle. I think I got a good buy on it and it is my favorite suitcase that I own now. Granted I really don't have that many, but it is still my favorite.
It is time to head back to the hotel for one more night in India and some sight-seeing tomorrow. It is freezing in the air-conditioned room, even the other girls are complaining. I leave the air on though because I think my roommate likes it and snuggle into the blankets to keep warm and go to sleep.
P.S. I am told the picture added is of a mailbox, but to an American it looks like a garbage can. Good thing I didn't have anything to throw away. :) Couldn't get my other pictures to load today.
Friday, August 01, 2008
India Trip- Day 10
Today we went to visit another orphanage. This one has is own farm, bakery, and school. Even the general public can come to their school, the kids here seem shy and sweet. We toured the place and were served tea and biscuits. We bought some bags of biscuits from them as we realized that we had been eating these same ones, that they make, right at the guest house. I put mine in my purse to carry, I hope they are not a crumbled mess by the time I get back to the states.
Some of us from the group took a rest while some of us went back to the hospital who had missed it before. We had requested to buy some necklaces we had seen being made by some of the village ladies that we had met. So, they dropped off a bag for us to look at and choose from. After our rest we went to the HOPE House to play with the girls one last time, to say our good-byes to them as tomorrow we would be heading out. It was a sad time to know that we would be back here no more and we had to get the girls up and playing games so that everyone could dry their tears, and ease the saddness before we left. The time has gone really really fast this week. We had a special supper tonight at our host's house. I can't believe this time is already at an end, but I think we did accomplish what we set out to do.
Ok, I have to lighten the mood on here so I will tell you some more things I love about India. You can buy things at your door because people go up and down your street on bikes selling things, all the way from meat and milk to brooms and pots. They call out and/or ring bells to let you know they are passing. And there is such a welcoming feeling here that somehow you just feel a part of the place while you are here.
I finally saw some monkeys here on Tuesday(yesterday). We were outside in the HOPE House courtyard playing with the girls and some monkeys ran by. I quickly got my camera and they were running down the street, they jumped up on someone's wall and ran down it. Our friends here said that if you have a fruit tree that the monkeys will climb it and take the fruit, so they cut the trees down. They have to use slingshots to get the monkeys to leave. The monkeys only have to see you holding one and off they run. I suppose on a day to day basis they could be annoying, but it was sure fun to see them while visiting.
Some of us from the group took a rest while some of us went back to the hospital who had missed it before. We had requested to buy some necklaces we had seen being made by some of the village ladies that we had met. So, they dropped off a bag for us to look at and choose from. After our rest we went to the HOPE House to play with the girls one last time, to say our good-byes to them as tomorrow we would be heading out. It was a sad time to know that we would be back here no more and we had to get the girls up and playing games so that everyone could dry their tears, and ease the saddness before we left. The time has gone really really fast this week. We had a special supper tonight at our host's house. I can't believe this time is already at an end, but I think we did accomplish what we set out to do.
Ok, I have to lighten the mood on here so I will tell you some more things I love about India. You can buy things at your door because people go up and down your street on bikes selling things, all the way from meat and milk to brooms and pots. They call out and/or ring bells to let you know they are passing. And there is such a welcoming feeling here that somehow you just feel a part of the place while you are here.
I finally saw some monkeys here on Tuesday(yesterday). We were outside in the HOPE House courtyard playing with the girls and some monkeys ran by. I quickly got my camera and they were running down the street, they jumped up on someone's wall and ran down it. Our friends here said that if you have a fruit tree that the monkeys will climb it and take the fruit, so they cut the trees down. They have to use slingshots to get the monkeys to leave. The monkeys only have to see you holding one and off they run. I suppose on a day to day basis they could be annoying, but it was sure fun to see them while visiting.
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