Tejgadh
The past two days I went to the village! I love the village. I really am a country girl. We took the two hour bus ride and it was another crowded ride. But it was all worth it! When we got there the kids were in their brand new uniforms and looking very smart. The girls all had their hair in pigtail braids. I'm trying to learn all 43 of their names but it's so hard! There are so many of them and they keep moving around and changing their clothes. But I'm determined. It's the least I can do since I can't really talk to them. But really, these kids are the most beautiful children that I have ever met. I know I say that about all the kids I meet, but I really mean it with these kids. They're all Adivasi children and have never had any schooling at all and they come from very poor families. They're all so happy and friendly. I love talking to them, or at least trying to talk to them. They don't really speak Hindi, mostly Gujarati or their own dialect, Rathwi.
At night, before they go to bed they sit in rows and sing songs. Because Dr. Devy was visiting, he told them a story of how the Earth was created. They really like that story. We also tried teaching them "Twinkle twinkle little star..." They were so cute trying to repeat after me. And when they were all getting ready for bed you could hear the random "tvinkul, tvinkul..." being sung. They're very smart and catch on very quickly. I sometimes forget where they come from. It's pretty cold at night here because it's winter and most of the kids don't have a sweater. Their families can't provide them, so Dr. Devy is asking a private school in Baroda if they could donate some of their old sweaters for our students. Hopefully most of them will get them on Monday.
Yesterday we two of the teachers from the school took us up on the hill by the village to look at some rock paintings. We had to climb under this huge boulder and underneath was a little cave and on the wall were these ancient paintings. They told us that they were 10,000 years old. Pretty crazy. The view from only half way up the hill was so beautiful. Again, I tried out my Hindi and they understood most of what I said! Unfortunately, my Hindi skills could only go so far and after awhile, I didn't understand what he was saying. But still, it was nice to be able to sort of communicate. I'm going to try and work on my Hindi really hard.
At night, before they go to bed they sit in rows and sing songs. Because Dr. Devy was visiting, he told them a story of how the Earth was created. They really like that story. We also tried teaching them "Twinkle twinkle little star..." They were so cute trying to repeat after me. And when they were all getting ready for bed you could hear the random "tvinkul, tvinkul..." being sung. They're very smart and catch on very quickly. I sometimes forget where they come from. It's pretty cold at night here because it's winter and most of the kids don't have a sweater. Their families can't provide them, so Dr. Devy is asking a private school in Baroda if they could donate some of their old sweaters for our students. Hopefully most of them will get them on Monday.
Yesterday we two of the teachers from the school took us up on the hill by the village to look at some rock paintings. We had to climb under this huge boulder and underneath was a little cave and on the wall were these ancient paintings. They told us that they were 10,000 years old. Pretty crazy. The view from only half way up the hill was so beautiful. Again, I tried out my Hindi and they understood most of what I said! Unfortunately, my Hindi skills could only go so far and after awhile, I didn't understand what he was saying. But still, it was nice to be able to sort of communicate. I'm going to try and work on my Hindi really hard.
posted by Jenna Furley | 3:14 AM
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