Day Three

Day 3

A fascinating morning was spent in the company of Mrs Leena Joshi from Apanlaya, a community development project within the slum community (http://www.apanalaya.org/).  Mrs Joshi stressed the importance of identifying a common goal within the community which was non threatening to the male population in order to allow the women to be involved in the project.  Initially this proved to be the provision of: clean water, access to health services and child education.  We were fortunate to have an onsite visit to her project in the afternoon.

The earlier part of the afternoon we spent on a bus negotiating Mumbai's traffic which can only be likened to a visit to the dodgems!!!  Suprisingly without accidents we visited Stree Mukti Sanghatana - a project working with women waste pickers were a number of self help groups have been formed to support women whose livelihoods depend upon gathering waste from the city dump.

following a presentation from the president Mrs Jyoti, we spent some time working with a translator asking and sharing stories with two women who had progressed from waste picking to the management level of the organisation.  This was truly inspirational, largely because of the dignity and confidence they displayed as they shared their journey of empowerment.  It is noteable that through the project both have moved from an earning of 10 Rupees to 100 Rupees per month.  Both spoke with passion of the growth in their own self esteem and the effects this has had on both themselves and their families.

A few comments from team members:

I am astonished as to how the people who live in the slums are so happy to see us visit.  They are all very welcoming I could learn an awful lot from them.
(Irene)

Slums were not as bad as I thought and seem well organised even though on a dump site.
(Elaine)

It's been a fantastic experience to have the opportunity to be here.  Opens your eyes.
(June)

Our own kids should think themselves lucky and maybe a wee bit privileged to live the lifestyle they do and to have the things they have in life compared to these people who live in the slums with a smile on their faces every day.
(Liz McRowey)

What a lovely friendly place, love the people and how they are so hospitable with what little they have I have not seen one person with a sad face especially in the slums.
(Tracey)

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"We as women.............."  Noel!!!!!!!!!!!


On a more personal note if any of you are wondering how we are all coping.........  although they make us function from 8am til 11pm, we managed to escape briefly in the evening to market shops and ice cream vendors.

Today it was Karen's turn to fall off the chair so we are all waiting to see who is next!

The only reason we can function for such extended hours is due to the amazing catering provided by our own personal cook Maureen   what an amazing woman!  We've had some interesting dishes at even more interesting times e.g.  semolina with almond and cardamom pods for breakfast, chinese for lunch, piece n' jam all day long, pieces n' coriander for a twist and many varied Indian dishes  which everyone has thouroughly enjoyed.  We are all so grateful for her expertise, kindness and attentiveness.  Day 3 and not an upset tummy in sight.

Just a quick note to warn you that you won't hear from us tomorrow as we have a full programme visiting a handicraft based project during the day and taking the night train to Baroda, Gujarat to look at rural initiatives.  We'll catch you up with our news the following day.  Meantime keep posting to our blog as it really brightens up our day.
ps  We hear some of you have had difficulty posting our resident 'techi' advises you to ensure you 'publish' your blog and do not navigate away from the page until it advises that your post is successful.