Compassion Trip: Journal

Update

Exciting progress despite more rains. We now have a floor and rooms! Make sure to see Trav's photos from the end of the trip.

posted by Lauren and Travis @ 6:38 AM 5 comments

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Story of our lives: just as we get some momentum the rain starts and halts construction for three days. Thursday we were literally squealing with excitement over our first brick wall (which we never thought we'd see), but all weekend we sat inside and endured the wrath of monsoon. Apparently this is the worst rainy season in decades.

But if I've learned anything it's that the sun will shine again. We've had two days of hot tropical weather and lots of progress (unable to post photos from here, but perhaps tomorrow). We fly to Bombay on Friday for two touristy days before coming HOME.

Jürgen and Sabina have promised photos of the progress and finished building, so the blog doesn't stop here! We'll keep posting as we receive information. With any luck, the building will be complete in February.

I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season. See you very soon!

posted by Lauren and Travis @ 9:22 PM 2 comments

Mason For Hire

I was chatting with the workers yesterday and they asked me how many Rupees a load of bricks costs in America. I had to admit I couldn't even venture a guess. The next question was, 'How much for a mason's wages?'
'Hmm...maybe $10 --'
'$10?' they repeated with wide eyes.
' --an hour,' I finished. Their jaws dropped: they are paid $3.00 a day. When they finished laughing they quickly asked, 'You need a mason?'

posted by Lauren and Travis @ 8:29 PM 2 comments

'Tis the Season

It may not feel like Christmas here, but we just received some huge gifts. Architecture for Humanity, a non-profit group based in Montanta, has offered us $5,000.00 for the Women's Center. Add that to two more substantial donations and we've tripled our original goal!

We met with a representative from Architecture for Humanity today, as she will be overseeing the project's completion after we leave. The meeting went beautifully; she was able to meet Jürgen and Sabina, see the site and the rest of the grounds. It is such a relief to know everything is in good hands even though we can't see it through.

And to top it all off: our bricks arrived!

posted by Lauren and Travis @ 1:07 AM 3 comments

Above Ground!

We thought we might never see the day, but our construction has progressed above ground level! We lost an entire week to 'Monsoon: Part II,' but the sun is out and we're back in action. Unfortunately, the wrath of the monsoon lasts longer than the rainclouds. Our bricks can't be delivered until the roads dry out enough for the lorry to get throughl; we've been waiting since before the first rainstorm several weeks ago and now we're back to square one. At least the carpenter can work on the windows rain or shine!

posted by Lauren and Travis @ 12:06 PM 1 comments

Happy Thanksgiving!

Though I will miss spending the holiday with my family, India has given me a much deeper sense of gratitude. The people here are genuinely happy, kind and giving despite how little they have -or perhaps because of it.

Sagar, one of our masons worries almost as much as my parents about how we are eating; it must seem impossible to him that we are competent of cooking a decent meal (no comments, please). So Sunday he insisted on bringing us both breakfast and supper and then came in to survey our kitchen to confirm that it was suitable. He seemed appeased by all the vegetables we have on hand, but still said he would be back with food again next week. I was so touched I almost cried.

Pumpkin pie or not, this is sure to be a memorable Thanksgiving. I wish you all a very happy holiday and send you each my love!

posted by Lauren and Travis @ 4:33 PM 1 comments

Empowerment

Well, our mason decided (at 6.30 last night) to take a leave today, so our momentum was broken. It's okay, though: I have to admit we were a little worn out from the fast pace of the last two days.

The day wasn't lost; we met with the women's group coordinator today to discuss their objectives and accomplishments. 29 groups totaling 2000 women are being trained in water conservation and management, organic farming techniques, and animal husbandry to generate income. Since banks will not usually lend to women, the groups are able to use the income to lend to members. Traditionally, women are given the most physically demanding jobs in the rice paddies and spend from 6am to 10pm bent over and up to their knees in mud. The new system does not decrease their work load, but does give them the opportunity to make decisions about crops, marketing, and spending the profits. It is completely inspiring to see how these women, who are normally expected to sit on the ground while men sit in chairs, are gaining respect and confidence while improving their socio-economic status.

Palmyra requires the groups and villages to provide 30% of the funding required for projects and the women are trained to manage the groups and the finances on their own. Their next project is to establish a Women's Own Bank which will be operated by and cater to village women.

We are meant to visit a participating village and the rice paddy of one of the groups on the 23rd. Too excited for words!

posted by Lauren and Travis @ 4:20 PM 1 comments