One Week Done Already

A quick summary of some of the EMC projects we've visited over the past days:
Thursday we say the New Market Project, providing informal education to children from a slum area. This is a short distance from where we're staying and close to one of the main shopping areas in the vicinity. We walked into the slum past small dwellings no bigger than my two man hiking tent, through a network of tight alleyways, past a group of men washing at a water pump, a goat and then into a brightly coloured room about 12ft square, where once again we were greeted by a group of smiling children all shouting "hello, Auntie! hello, Uncle!" They sang and danced. The dancing was fantastic. A small self taught 18year old had then taught the others to a very good standard. Not that I'm an expert, but it looked pretty intricate and graceful. Then she, and a lad who was part of the dancing team, started teaching us some moves. Leonora and Rachael seemed to get the hang of it, but I'm afraid my complete lack of rhythm proved impenetrable. I think I was a disappointment to them! A lad I spoke to afterwards is hoping to be a business man when older and the young dancer wants to teach. They all have ambitions. Something the slum wouldn't ordinarily encourage, I imagine. Humbled again.
Then we went to Sealdah station to see were some of the families live and where lads on drugs of various kinds are befriended and encouraged to go to detox. Two we met wanted to leave and were waiting for spaces to become available. I had struggled to imagine exactly how families live on railway platforms, surely not just on the platform. It's quite simply that. Imagine Bristol Temple Meads with families grouped around the pillar. Manoj who took us there (I hope I've got the spelling correct) was immediately surrounded by children and people when he stopped to talk. It was clear that his daily visits to the station were very welcome and appreciated. One lady who lives on the platform has four boys and four girls, one of which is in the Pauline Bhawan home we've already visited. She was asking that her husband be readmitted to detox since he's gone onto drugs once more. Unfortunately it was necessary for her to find the 500 Rs for the medication before this could be allowed, about 6 pounds (no pound sign on the keyboard!).
The afternoon was spent at the office in Ripon St hearting about some of the work with the sex workers, counselling, health education and empowerment, and advocacy work in particular with the city's hand pulled rickshaw men. The hand pulled rickshaw has been banded for 2 years and the government is about to enforce it at the end of August. EMC are opposing this, whilst not disagreeing with the principle that it may be considered demeaning for one man to pull another, yet at the moment no alternative has been offered these 18000 men. They will be without any form of income come September.
Yesterday we drove for about an hour to Serampore where William Carey established his mission work. Visited the church he founded in 1805. It looks derelict but is in fact still going (it's just how all the buildings look here). It's also the base for an EMC children's club and women's group.
A chap has turned up from the ICC Bible college in Glasgow. He's here for 6 months working with EMC, after spending one month here last year. Popped out with him and visited the Oberoi Hotel. You walk off a third world street into a 5 star hotel that is as immaculate as any in the UK. Had an earl grey tea then stepped out of the air con into the streets once more, past families asleep on the pavement. A surreal experience. Also took a rickshaw for the first time. There are the auto rickshaws, little three wheel covered mopeds, tri-cycle rickshaws, and the hand pulled ones I noted above.
On the team, Susanna and Rachael have both been a little ill but are back with us now. Becky's stomach is a little uneasy at the moment, but we currently think it just needs to settle. Claire has been the major concern. She was admitted to hospital following the vegetable dish at Bar-B-Q, a reputable Chinese restaurant. She's been there for a couple of days, receiving very good care and kept company by various members of the team. She's now been discharged and will spend a little time at Ripon street in the cooler room at EMC to get back to strength. Our prayer is that she will get back to full strength so that she can get involved in the projects over the remaining three weeks. She and Becky are the team leaders and Becky has been doing a tireless job managing all the hospital visits and changed plans, aided by Karen who's also been great. It's a good team spirit, now including Henry.
This morning, Saturday, we visited the weekly Bible Club they hold at Ripon St, played with the kids who range from 5 to maybe 14 and took a little part in the final assembly. We'll have to take this assembly next week so we need some ideas! Was walking in the streets in the afternoon past the cows and rickshaws and rubbish piles and pavement barbers and food stalls making chapatis and a kid recognised me from the morning. A group of the children were out with their mother begging. In the morning playing with him at the Bible Club, in the afternoon having him beg from me. The received wisdom is not to give money. First time I've really found that hard.
No time to post pictures yet! But I do have some. The kids are not slow to pose!
If you're praying, please remember Claire; our involvement in the projects that begin next week that we'll find the right niche; continued safety; and a continued good team spirit.
Cheers for now.