Aspire India Special - 2014

An introduction from Sister Susan I am utterly convinced that nothing happens by chance. We don't meet certain people by accident, they are meant to cross our path for a specific reason...The day I visited All Hallows College in 2008 was to prove the beginning of a relationship that was to have far reaching effects for the school, the Presentation Sisters and the people of India, particularly those in Tamil Nadu. I had just returned from a meeting of Presentation Sisters from around the world being held in India.

Prior to the meeting, we had been invited to spend time visiting the ministry of the Sisters in the various states in India. From seeing what the Presentation Sisters were doing my over riding conviction was they were certainly faithful to the spirit of ‘venerable’ Nano Nagle, as the church now recognises her, the founder of the Presentation Sisters. Nano was a woman of Faith, hope and heroic virtue whose vision and work transformed, and continues to transform, the lives of so many.

Inspired by Jesus and Nano Nagle All Hallows has joined this mission to transform lives in a similar way inspired by Jesus and His followers. In order to help you understand our mission to transform lives, I need to tell you a little about Nano, how she was inspired by Jesus and our community.

Nano Nagle was born Honora Nagle in Ballygriffin in Cork in 1718, which was a turbulent time in Irish history due to the Penal Laws.

The Nagle family was a wealthy Catholic family and Nano had the benefit of a European education and privileged lifestyle. She devoted her life to Jesus and to working with people on the margins of society. The Nagle motto is “Not words but deeds” and Nano certainly lived this. Her mission of educating the poor began in a ‘little school’ in Cove Lane in Cork in 1754. In setting up schools in

defiance of the established colonial order she sided with those made poor and challenged the institutional injustice that perpetuated marginalisation and poverty.

Sr. Raphael Consedine PBVM (Fire on the Earth p 47) describes the range of Nano’s concerns: “….the children of Cork’s poorest districts, but they were also the sick, lonely and aged whom she visited and tended in the public infirmaries and in their garrets, the prostitutes whom she was slandered for knowing and for whom she longed to build a refuge, the elderly women for whom she did build a home, the Irish exiles in the West Indies for whom she trained catechists, the adults to whom she gave religious instruction. They were those ‘disconsolate widows…forlorn orphans…reduced housekeepers…superannuated tradesmen, whose various afflictions she assuaged, whose tears she dried up, whose wants she so often satisfied’.

Nano’s passion was directed at changing the social structures that kept people poor and oppressed.

Hers was a global vision as in 1769 she wrote to a friend: “For I can assure you my schools are beginning to be of service to a great many parts of the world – this is a place of such trade – they heard of, and my views are not for one object alone. If I could be of service in saving souls in any part of the globe I would be willing to do all in my power.”

The history of the Presentation Congregations as they spread around the world has shown that the Spirit of Nano has continued to be transformational in the lives of sisters, students, parishioners and many others over the past 240 years.

To this day Presentation Sisters and friends of Nano remain committed to working with those most in need through a broad range of ministries. Faithful to the philosophy of the Presentation Sisters today, we work in partnership with others to change our world for the better.

How All Hallows got involved If the ministry of the Sisters in this part of India was to continue to expand, we needed partners. As I sat in All Hallows College listening to their aspirations to reach into the hearts of their students by reading out to others, I took the opportunity of presenting them with a desperate situation that I had encountered.

The Sisters had opened a mission in a remote hill region and set up a community serving 200 other villages. Their resources were few and what they had was in a poor state. They had begun empowering the women, teaching them to read and write and loaning them money to start a small industry based around milk.

Their clinic was little more than a shed and was totally inadequate.

I related my story and with God’s grace, it touched the hearts of All Hallows students and staff and we started on an adventure to make life better in this one place. It reminds me very much of the story of the little boy on the beach throwing star fish back into the sea. When he was challenged and told that there was no way he could make a difference to them all; he picked one up, threw it into the sea and said – I have made a difference to that one. The College had agreed to make a difference to a village in the back of beyond in India.

Living by deeds not words I believe that Nano would be delighted that the Sisters are in partnership with the young people of All Hallows Catholic College and with those who have dedicated their lives to the education of the young in this school. The Students and Staff have demonstrated clearly that they too ‘live by deeds and not just by words’. The following statement clearly describes the community in All Hallows: “Standing with the poor, being present to the poor, seeing the world from the perspective of the poor, working with the poor, advocating for the poor, this is essential to being a follower of Christ. Christians stand with the poor because God stands with the poor.” (J Milburn Thompson, Justice and Peace: A Christian Primer p 201) We, as Presentation Sisters are deeply indebted to All Hallows for their example and commitment to the poor, in India.

Students seeing with their own eyes Eight students gave up their half-term to see with their own eyes what they and their College had accomplished. They were open, too, to experiencing life as it is for the poor. We lived with the

Sisters and had the privilege of experiencing life in India “on the ground”. There was no tourist hotel. Our Sisters in India have also been touched deeply by them, their willingness to enter into our way of life and share our daily life. No complaints ever heard about the conditions and the deprivations that they experienced. They entered into the experience fully and lived life to the full. They certainly shared their gifts, gave themselves willingly and were sensitive to the people and children they encountered. It is a great shame that so often we, as a society, do not see or experience when young people give their best. Our world is safe in the hands of these young people.

What next?

The students and staff have shown an amazing commitment and sense of responsibility for Manalathu Kudisai, their village. I have been so impressed with their creative fundraising and the amount that they have raised in such a short time.

Sitting with the young people at a meeting with the Sisters in the convent discussing “what next” was enough to take my breath away and I felt very humbled. There was no doubt, they feel that the villagers are indeed their brothers and sisters. They are not going to leave them to fend for themselves. They have committed themselves to raising £5,000 a year to ensure that the lives of those in the area are improved.

Sr. Susan Richert PBVM

All Hallows Social Enterprise Project in South India—The Project so far….

All Hallows has raised over £40,000 since 2008 and completed the building of All Saints Health and Community Centre in Manalathu Kudisai, a village near to Varasanadu, in the South Indian region of Tamil Nadu. The pictures below show the old Health Centre which was in a very bad condition and damp.

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Building of a sin gl clinic w ith a co e storey nsultati room, m on ale and wards, f a labora emale tory an da labour room.

Money Raised ÂŁ20,000

When our students visited the project in October 2011, they made key decisions about Phase Two of the clinic. The first students to visit were Matt Hulme, Yandi Chilufa, Beth Heaton and Samantha Clayton.

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orey t s d n seco a f ter, o a g w n i g d l Bui nsurin nity e n o i extens and commu power g spaces are meetin vided. pro aised R y e n Mo 0 ÂŁ20,00

The work was completed in early 2014. All Saints Centre now has two Community Meeting rooms, and a third floor covered veranda which are used for Health Education, community empowerment groups, and supplementary evening education for the children of the village. The centre has provision for the safe disposal of human waste, toilets, a reliable source of clean cold and warm water, and electricity, due to a new bore-hole and solar power.

Medicines are now kept at the right temperature and clean water is provided for villagers when other local supplies are scarce. Our partners, the Presentation Sisters talk about how the village is being ‘brought up’ as a result of our support for the project.

Our challenge is to raise ÂŁ5,000 per annum to continue to help the Presentation Sisters, help the village community help themselves!

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she burped twic e and blamed both on me. Oth fine as the tea er than that it chers topped up was on th ei r ‘medication’ was happy as and everyone we rolled into the Chennai air port.

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Namaste Namaste is a customary South Indian greeting when individuals meet and a farewell when they depart Namaste means ‘I bow to the divine in you.’ in Hindi Namaste is spoken with slight bow and hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointing upwards, thumbs close to the chest

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by Mrs. n e k o w e ng We wer ’ knocki e t a c i l e ‘d Garvey’s we were r e t f a s our just 6 h to sleep; o g o t d e suppos ghed for u a l e w rls being gi e urs at on o h w e f who has a d l o r a e u’. The ar 16 y l n u u c i ‘N ith t r s a e p r eyes w e nam u h o s d t e a n h e t India Fact et e let s we op w a e n v a blank o a o h s t as There are ha 1,652 ld ghts: ‘w y hit us u t u i o o d w h i t r e m ’s u w t o h h d h g ia s i le n a c ts and st ded ion of la s are languages sp , we deci r s e i w h t o h o s recollect t oken e n for?!’ Du er, India v n e in India i w s o e e v H w l . e ers on ours le soluti wer show b o i p s s d o l p r o t s w ug be the be plastic j the first a m h o t r i f w t n wn iffere wash do k c rather d i u q A et. k home. ing to g e o g e r e have bac w e kends, w e w e t w s e e b h e t on ut th e get up was abo w t a tered the h n t e e e m w i t s l a e the usua reakfast b g r n i u e . We wer o b y r h 2 t r i 1 u w c e d r o ete to be gre ry and m r d u e t c c he usual , e t y p r x ’t r e n u e r C e . w . ope he menu fact they room. N t e g n h o t n i o e t n s i i l p d es re a scover, d d most chips we i n d d a o n t t a s e d n e d e n k reliev of the ki that chic e n m o o i t S p ! o s t that we n t u s n r i e f h t g breakfas r fo yin enough et. Worr ’t m n r s even sat e a v d e w a e h v s a e h This v e sel women w ey them e h t t a e r r e o ch. d f i e cons heir lun o eat b t t s h a g w u o d ise ad en now real iled into p d hadn’t h l a l h a e e w w e, eat what ore awak m y . Driving l s t e down to i h t g i i v l i s t c a ng ith, feeli the day’s w r o r e f v f o f o h with the et , s y a d Lunc w n a y an e an an of a v xperienc c e n g i n t i e v h r t nne a very u s i a i d in In

drivers clearly having no spa cial awareness tedious habit of and a slightly ‘honking’ thei r h or ns at every giv yet the fact th en opportunity e doors didn’t , cl os e a nd there wasn meant we were ’t any seatbelts in for a bumpy ride.

We pulled up ou tside an India n shop; inside Hannah and I spent a good fe w minutes bei preached at ab ng out Hindu God s – interesting. Th was after I’d b is roken my san d a l on the very firs day. After this t we went to a ‘s h op p in g ce ntre’, this being the operative phras e to describe a maze of shops filled with sca rves, scarves a more scarves. W nd e a ll th en d ec tourists, to bu ided, like typic y ourselves an al In d ia we’d spent 5 m top each; this w inutes trying as after to heckle the pri ce down.

Finally, we m ade our way to Chennai Mari the 2004 Tsun na, the spot in ami hit. In all which fa ir n es s, we did spend reflecting on th time e state of the b each (never ha beach with so m ve we ever seen uch mess) and a ou r th oughts were w beach that day e to be on the . Yet for Hann a h a n d I with Sean as ring leader, th the e sea looked to o inviting and was in order. S a good paddle India Fact oon after the ot h er s jo ined us and m akes the teacher’s d The game of Sn uch to ismay we all em so al erged and Ladders from the water dia drenched head originated in In to toe. This was after Sean had made frie nds with a young Indian child who had lots of fun splashing arou nd in the waves . We were all grateful to return to our b ucket and jug shower.

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We bega n the da y with t Rite Ma he India ss; a Cat n holic Ma with the ss mixed culture o f I n dia. It w really w as a arm wel come an us an in d it gav sight in e t o C h r istianity songs an d prayer in India s, we wen . After m excessiv t to have any e tea dri lunch, w n k i n g here Sea make al continu n’s ed – Sea l of the S n i s e t v e e r n offered s cups of favourit e, especia to tea, whic h makes lly with older nu him a We then ns. made ou r way u we had a p to St. competit Thomas ion to se ’ Mount tasteless e , where who coul statue a d find t n d M h e most r. Billin van’ the gs won. n drove us up to The ‘tin Cecilia ( a Prayer can of a our favo G a r d en where urite nu the age o n) power Sister f 78, pu ed up th tting us e hill with all to sh ease at After th a m e e Prayer .

Garden, Children we went ’s orphan to visit a a g e; possib part of t ly the m he trip s ost emot o f a r , leaving ional a very to us all te uching India Fact arful. It experien how som was ce, and w Indian gain ed e of the c e were sa in h d i ependence ldren ha d to see given up from d to be by their the British in 1 p 947 arents d poverty. ue to the Some ar i r e left un 5, when t i l t h e their par age of ents sho and tak u ld return e them h o m e if they c However an. , despite o u r emotion greeted w s, we wer armly w e ith grin s and

ent We then w . s d l o r a e n, m the 1-2 y der childre l giggles fro o e h t t e e m ground to pull your o t to the play g n i s u m it highly a Rebecca as h t i who found w ly l ia pec i-5 you; es H d ‘ginger n a e h r t i a f h o r e b em ver seen a m e n d a h ld Is y e th g ‘The Wor n a s younger y f e o h p T u . o e r r o g f r e othe to species’ b we left, an s a d tant liking s n a n i s u n a o t k ’ o l to s Wonderfu he door and t d n u veryone wa o e r a d n d e a r , a t e u p o ay children ap op on the w h s t we realised f i s g a e , h it t s i o t v t e n f th Fin. We we emotions o e h t n o g n reflecti cared for. , t e e r i a u o q h y w r e n v dre lucky chil e h t e t, our Yoga r a n e e v s e n h o t c t e a h t th that returned to e w n e h s and told w t , a e t m o n n e r v e i t eg On a brigh ria. We wer P r S us to ‘Try – s id u a s d e r t e e t e r is g S instructor lest moves’. p m i are of the ‘s w e a h t g g in n e i b o d t ly hils we were on nd time” w a e c definitely a ) p n s a e h it S w g d in ud blen iously incl our best to v b o ( p s position. u u o t r o g L e g h t in f Ly ur o e from the v present. Fo o m . ’t n d i ake him up s they d w a o t is h t t o o d f e v ’s ean achie shaking S f Fin o s e t u n i becca and e R e r e h It took 5 m w w h ‘talent’ sho a n o t skills. Bot u g p n e i c w n r e a d n ish After din fessional’ Ir o r ‘p in inverted r t i o e n h ( t s d e ll i s a k c al s even show heir music t d e s ighlight of u h h e a h n t n t a u H B lute. a Elysia and iano and f p e h t me. To cut a g g n i x o y b la l p a e y cer commas) b laying the p y l e st flexible t i o in m f e e h d t s e a b w to the evening ecca proved b e R came in a d n n a a e n S i .

F , m t r a sho h te the Englis long story n o d n o c e of this, Mr ds t n l a u s t e s r r i a f s e A and cam ligament’. half the a ly g n n i O r “ a e w o ‘t is n after that Sean close third n o i s u l c n o me to the c Billings ca ed to be” Billings a l o man he us n i F d n h Massey a

By Hanna India Fact

The Penti um chip and Hotm ail were created b y Indians

Namaste, da ly as we ha r a e e it u q e up ree We all wok e visited th W . s u f o ahead busy day e convent. h t n i h it w chools r different s la’s. On ou u s r U t S s a The first w e reeted in th h g e r e w e w esented wit r p ; y arrival a d). w n India the forehea ly d n o n e t i o r f d l d a e r (a tradition sdom eye’ i ‘w e h tion. The t a t n e n e v i s e g r p d a n ith flowers a reeted us w g y l d n i k al Indian y n r o e i v it l d o o a r h t c s and The le d singing e d u l c eir incredib h n t i d n e o s i t a a c t w n sho prese hildren had c e h d tell the t n r e a t e f g A a . t s g e n th danci ed to go up to d e t i v at we receiv in h t e r n e o i w t e c a w e er talents rselves. Th u o t u for Sam, o b g a e in l e t b it e l s a u la children biggest app e h t h it w , kable was remar to. ok a shine o t ll a ls r i s with the p u o r g who the g l l a sm n put into e h t e and at All r e d w n s a l u g f n o E t e in The eigh n m about lif e h t o t k a e about life i p s n r o a t e l s t o t n e r e d stu eag sh with us. ildren were li h g c n e E h t r i l e l h A ice t Hallows. ate to pract We r e p s e d e r e w language. d d n n a a e d r n u t a l l u Eng bout their c a t o l a d e n r rder We also lea f wink mu o e m a g a d o then playe ssful due t e c c u s n u d st prove which at fir nging to e l l a h c y r e t it was v he the fact tha e rules of t h t n e r d il h he c explain to t game.

d d was calle e t i is v e w l hoo The next sc , we were n i a g a e c n rt. O e Sacred Hea es. All of th i it r b e l e c e treated lik cessities’ e N e r a ‘B e ng th Di children sa and ‘Obla k o o B e l g n from the Ju

India Fact Vishnu temple is

the most visited pilgrimage destination in th e world

Obla Da’. This was very entertaining and it was su rprising to see that th e children kn ew these famous song s. In a simila r way to what we did a t St Ursula’s , we split up into small groups. Hann ah and Sean, as they discussed thei r aspirations w Indi a ith the group Fact T . h O e ne of the girls re ar was to ‘Eat , e said hers than more Sleep and Ma 500 w k e M er ry i s l anctu dlife .’ They liked this so much aries that they got a n d 13 the translatio reser which was ‘S n v in e T s a mil . aapidu, Thoo ungu Valkai K ondadu.’

Finola and I joined our gr oups together Indian dance, where we were much to the d taught an elight of the g wanted us to irls. In return teach them a the girls tr a d it ional Englis we could com h dance… The b e up with was est the Macarena made a mass .

T h en all the groups ive circle wher e Sean and S worm move. E am showcased veryone cheer their ed in admiratio Sam’s ‘athle n for Sean’s an tic ability’. W d h en w e le ft the girls w their exercise a nted us to sig books with ou n r signatures sweet. which we all found very The last scho ol that we vis ited was the T children from amil school th the Slums fo at educates r very little m hardship tha oney. Despite t they encoun the te r ev er y day, the ch most enthusia ildren were th stic that we m e et and each h children were a d b eaming smil very complim es. The en ta r y o f wanted to as o u r ‘b ea utiful’ looks k us many th and in g s a b o u t ourselves. T questions su hey asked ch as ‘what is y o u r m o ther’s name? you have sibli ’ and ‘do ngs?’ Seeing India Fa a ll o f us with camer ct children were as, the The lotu excited to be in s is the the pictures a nationa look at the ph nd wanted to l flower otos we had ta of ken.

India.

By Cara Feely

India Fac

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The majo rity of In dians are Hind us. Most o f the religious festivals a nd holidays are Hind u.

experience’ n i a r t e h ‘T s, Sam, Mr Billing off o of us set w t e h t d n Sean a p splitting u , e g a i r r a c for our he girls we t f o t s e r e from th with. As g n lo o s t n had spe e age we wer i r r a c r u o in as we arrived bed; this w r u o n o t a ns Indian ma n a d in f o d ours back n a n i a r t annoyed t s thi the ticket y between o it t r d la e i n i im la s p e ex the only isation. W n a g r o g carriages f n o i v k o c a m l e n o h p home – t promised u e h d n a , n o uati man the sit e together. r b ll a d l u o bin, with M a c we w r u o o t d in tting settle e g e r us, as an e w n o s t e n y e e d n u t a ep The four s posite to ke p o e c n al hygiene a n t o s s i r d e p e f f a o s ck Billings a h a severe la t i w n a m Indian n overweight g that Sea in im a l c in o the cab the ticket t a h t walked int d e r a pe is bed. It ap h s n o y la s ys two bed wa o b e h t n e ctually giv the two of g man had a n i n a e m , n next door ea in the cabi ft to endur e l e r e w s g Billin , us and Mr oring, rude n s a h it w rience 9 hour expe . string vest s i h n i n a m nce ing experie t s e t y r e v a This proved n’t s we would a , s u f o o w for the t s in a room u g in t t u p for thank you the idea of o s , s m a S and ecimen wa p s e it l o p with Sean e ove this im er of us. W sleeping ab h t i e d e c i t n India Fact g that e therefore it t n e ot somethin m s n s Most Indian w e s as omen in the risk s a w s prefer ethnic i h t t dress, doub most common ly the sari or salwar kameez.

is realistic that Mr Bil lings didn’t enjo y the experie nce either. Fino la even ask ed her dad ‘how is your blood pressure?’

After Mr B illings calm ed us down game of sc with a clas rabble, Mrs sic G a r vey and Em India Fact this experie ma used nce to take The cow is considered a ‘selfie’ wit man who n h the snorin a sacred animal and is ow lay asle g e p w it h h vest fully o is shirt off, n show. Mu string allowed to roam free c h to Emma in most cities she posed in ’s dismay, a kissing p a s osition nex Garvey’s in t to the ma structions n (prior Mr t o d s o so) the slee proved rath ping beast er humorou awoke; this s to both th members of e g ir ls and the ‘m staff. After ature’ this we dec settle down ided it was to sleep, aft best to try er going to to train track t h e toilet out of below. How a hole onto ever for Mr bunk, sleep .

B il li n g s on the bot ing next to tom someone wh does proved o s n o r e s louder tha rather diffic n he ult.

By Finola Billings and Emma Kane

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India Fact

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India’s 50% of n a h t r than More ounge y is n tio popula 25

Namaste,

ticket collector, e th d n a ey rv Ga en up by Mrs. ok w g n f the train to ei of b ot er g ft e A W . s ed kb triple shelf bun r ou of t er ‘tin can of ou h ot ot n g a we to in ot g ’s relief but then a ol in F t. d n a a Emm the next conven to e v ri d r ou h f on a 2 van’ and set of up owed to freshen ll a e er w e w t, rest. ed at the conven could get any e When we arriv w e or ef b l oo isit the local sch ren but we had to v me, with child m ra g ro p ed ri a with a v dren that were il ch We were greeted of p u ro g da gnam style an n a G to g e of the lyrics n ci om n s da ly te a n u fort pop music. Un rn t they te es w g in g sin ght overall tha ou th e w , er ev ht nslation. How roup who thoug g were lost in tra e on om fr rt a sh very well ap greatest hits. A ’s a grasped Engli n on d a M of Came’ was one that ‘Glad You me made up a rhy n re d il ch e v fi group of , cutting and g n ti ea t ou b a which was em fruits, one of th t n re fe if d g n peeli ts ocial constrain S . a n a n a b a being of ow as a swarm d in w e th of t went ou g nded us askin ou rr u s n re d il young ch d autographs. n a s re tu ic p r fo d were the convent an to ed e rn tu re We then e treated to som er w e w r te a L deserved rest. nd Sean and a s ri a S allowed a well r ou r al fo e bought materi w e er h w ew g in p shop am’s ‘many n S r fo s it tf ou edding full of English r Sam bought w oo fl t en em s a b s. lso we found a d fizzy drink n girlfriends’. A a s it cu is b on we stocked up products where h ing meal whic en ev r ou r fo ck a India Fac Then we went b st of the re e t th t en p s d n T a he natio ty s ta y ll a n a re l s n E a mblem w ildre symboliz cases for the ch l ci e en p s c g o in u rage, ck confiden r fo evening pa ed tt fi c e o , ls a a n e d streng th. . The girls wer in Varasanadu . fessional tailor Saris by a pro w

By Elysia Sha

India Fact

Namaste,

India is about 1/3 the size of the United States

set off on e w , m a 0 t 7.3 rly start a a e n a r e t f A the clinic in ng and o t ip r t r u o t lo our two h y scenic bu he group r e v A . u d t Varasana endured by s a w y e n e were r bumpy jou s. Upon our arrival w ster and two si nal Indian io t i d a r t a h have now e w greeted wit s e n o e like th ter being f A welcoming . o t d e ccustom e become so a owers and lemons, w l hf d greeted wit e new secon h t t a k o o l st wo took our fir nic which includes t Cli isters and S floor of our e h t ; s m o e area. We Ro h t y e it v n h a u h o m t Com Clinic whic pleased e o h s t e r d e n w u s o r r ok a s the village opening lo e y built. It wa ild in e s d a n h a d g e s n i a lo r had a could bu llege has 0 o 0 C ,0 e 0 h t 4 ÂŁ y e g ich all the mon fference wh UK. Through speakin i d e h t e e s to e e incredible home in th the clinic w k t c a a b d o n t a h d e on ar the India comp s who are constantly veryone in e o t r s e i t c . s i i s n t the Cli with the er the hills v n o a t s r e o g p la m i il gv how eighbourin discovered n o t o s l a t tic y bu us the dras communit d e w o h s e home. We t the villag a d s r n u u o o r d a an alk d way of life A quick w r i e h t happier an a n e e e r e w t w e b y e s e h e. A trip d less t a m differenc h o h y e k h c t a b h ours lthoug clinic put ity unlike e saw that a n h u t m m o m r o f c y ected or econds awa s s i better conn h h no tables c i it h w w l is o o y h t c i s un to the local children their comm e h ic T s . a t b n e w o m h ip into reality y basic learning equ had seen e w g in in r a ve ert g chairs and tic and ent s a i s u h as stickin h c t u n s e , t s s n o o i m t ac o were the icking our doing! Als f o im m n a d f n a a a is singing which Emm e t u o s e u g w their ton the village d n u o r a ip on our tr e which is m o h a d e t visi their due e g n a r p o t t classed as Lak) gran 1 ( 0 0 1 ÂŁ to a from the The vernment. o g Indi a F two act It is ille house had gal to t ing room ake Ind curren ian ooms, a liv r cy (rup he ees) ou om where t o r t of d e b d n a India

bed was meta l with no cus hioning. We informed tha were t none of the houses within area had toilet Indi a F the s. Despite this act Dancin the whole area extremely cle an and free o was mos g is one of Ind f rubbish unli t highly ia’s cities we have develo ke the visited. ped ar ts After lunch w e had several hours before th Room would e big Commu be filled with nity children and local school a parents who g nd others fro o to the m the commu game of footb nity. We beg all between th an with a e 8 of us. Qu keen to join in ickly the loca and showcas ls were very e their talents cricket, and of volleyball it is sad to sa an y we were sho Despite this w wn up by them d e found that all. it was the bes in the commu t way to mee nity and thei t the children r way of life.

Billings and During this ti Mrs. Garvey me Mr. brought out th which was a eir pack of ba big mistake lloons as they were a bit of mate mobbed by th rial with air e children for inside.

At 4.30pm th e children fro m the School the gates and bega continued wit h their excitem n to swarm through We all procee ent over the b ded upstairs alloons. into the Com Room where w munity e watched a p rog dancing, sin ging and poet ramme of ry from the c in the local c hildren ommunity.

We then were encouraged to join in and h ave a go at th which had ju e dances st been perfor med. We han the pencil cas ded out es d the joy that th onated by our students – and e children exp ressed over su simple thing ch s was astoun ding.

After dinner we had a mee ting with the discuss the f sisters to uture of the p roject. We sha ideas with th red our em and they shared their id opinions with eas and us. We have d ecided that th dispensary f ere is a need or medical su for a pplies , funds maintenance for transport of the Clinic and for and Convent. education pro and funds fo jects( includin r health g money for mean that we projector). Th have to raise is would £4,000-5,00 0 per year..

By Sam Hall worth

Indi a

Fact

irthp the b s I a i Ind chess

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f

Namaste,

the clinic t a p u e k o ew morning w s y a d s r u h ore balloon m On T r o f g n i gg all our door be t a n e r tired from d s il a h w c e f o n o p y ver to a grou eay before. E d e h t e d a night befor e m g d a a ll h i e v e w h t t tha in e children heni where h T t o h t it k w c a g b n y the danci ade our wa m n e h t e W Sean. s. especially p on the bu e e l s a l l e f s uspect IV the usual s ve for The H a e l o t d e r a ep th meal we pr n e k c i elcomed wi h w c e r y l e e w v o e l w a , ival After pon our arr U . e c i p s o ave some H h S o t ID d e A d d e e n c a ro and then p y n o m full when e e r e b c o r t e d h e t o n a aim everyone cl h g u o h t le, l A t on the tab snacks. u p e r e w s e t sandwich as the frui y t p m e the ‘cheese’ o t d achs seeme m o t s ’s e n o every aken out. cake was t t noticed tha n a e S t a h t e nd this tim e. It now iz s It was arou n i d e l b ou er kles had d n a ’s a k to two ov m c u m t E s e r e w India Fact et e f t r e n e h h m g m u ho postal morous co u h s the largest looked as t a a H e d a m Sean then y made network in the world l ; s d e b s u o t p s p d u e s a siz 0 post noise Emm with 150,00 g in d d u h t offices about the . alked r when she w we made ou s a , r e v e w o st eh stopped her pectful whil s g e r in d h e g n u i a a l em The Everyone r . e c i p hear that s o o t h e g h t in v o e t li n i e sr way ards. It wa w e h t hildren are c d n r i u e o h r t a , e g iv n osit walki e eing HIV p b s t n s. Yet, som e r u a ir p v e e h m t o s h despite as infected wit g in e b ucky and t l u s o a h t i ’t w n e r n e r w often bo into we walked are; a man palliative c d, too ill to e b s i h n o lay

turn around and greet us.

This was the were placed d room in whic uring their la h patients s t stages of lif not only suf e.

This particula fered from H r man IV b u t w as also a victi cancer. At th m of mouth is stage, we w ere relieved to got another ‘c leave. Only o ry point’ as w ne student e n o w call them – with four cry she is now lea points. ding Hannah then played her flu te which was same can’t b lovely as alw e said for the ays. The a tt empted cover Imagine; or a o f John Lenno s Sam thoug n’s ht Elton John ’s.

When we got back to the co nvent, we pla Humour was yed a variety provided by M of games. r. Billings’ f ‘G’d day Bru ailed attempts ce’ and Mrs. at both G a rv ey . The extra helpings of c ookies helped with today’s ‘rule game’. Top ba nter was provided durin g the post it g ame as Mrs. Garvey attempted to subtly hint to Mr. Billin gs.

By Rebecca O ’Gara and Sea n Maguinness

India Fact

The nationa l fruit of India is the m ango

ct a Fa third i d n I ld’s k at wor r

the two m’s has a l d ne les Il a s e o m r Ja her mi est larg ent ent to Brot r e w illion f e f i w d m y y a r 9 d e o .

T av 1 r, this was e v e w o d a H h . e e tw orphanag tablishmen s e l l a m s e to th 0 children 0 0 2 e r e orphanage H . parents the week ir e n h i t n t o u o r e h li it visited ear ed or were w n o d n a b a n site with bee n o r e d h e t v i e li d y a e h who h to school. T o g d n hildren, c a e 6 v d li r o a t o e b l k on were ab ow who too d i w dren get to a il ; h s c e r e u h t g i f n e ’ Wh ‘mother of to her own. n io t visited one i e d d W a . n in e r s d e hil sometim tel for 25 c s o h IV positive a H o t 5 e 2 v o o t m e y m e s ho age 13 th rticular wa a p irls on a in g e n n a o h s p i r h o t e ; iv the hostels of HIV posit r r e b m u n k of Brothe this r o w w a e s h e T W . s . ge girls d 71 marria h t i w h HIV, coul g it n o w l e a s , o o h s l t a en board ow orphans, ev e s e h t ked to see h t c a o h h t s t e n r a e e w e James m e to etter life. W b a e v a ite was, du h s d n n o a s d y e o i b r d get mar of girls an d io t a r e h t n can’t affor io y t e r h o t p o s r a p s f r o e ht out their daug g n i n o d n a parents ab es. their dowri he cooks for t n e h c t i k e On site, th the that live in n e r d l i h c 2000 llages. The i v ll a m s e h houses in t too, purely e t i s n o e d ma houses are he e. We got t t e r c n o c m fro he to see how t y t i n u t r o ide in the s t opp u o d e c a l p s. ho were all s and door w o d n i w workers, w e t cre ade the con m , n u s g mothers, r e t bakin s o f e h t all her flute to d e y la p d s who were ha n a h h a p n r o n e a h H t th After eraction wi meeting t f o in r r o u n o o r h e t e f t th who came a day, we go s t r o p s ir e man who th h n i s i l g g n i n t E a old particip y an 88 year ; lf e s oncluded b c m i s h a s w e ip m r t Ja he Brother e otorbike. T m s i h eds go to th e n c o o r s p u l l o t a p – rds cruised u fted gift ca a r c d n a h se of the purcha . other James work of Br

Upon return, the girls plan ned to go home to sleep , however upo n delivery of their tailored blouses the g irls called upon the siste rs to come an d help them dress in their saris. This res ulted in full head to to e traditional Indian dress with flo wers in our h air. Mrs. Garvey, Mr. Billings and the boys even put on th eir new outfit s and we then what the siste went to the h rs described a ospital in s ‘a wedding procession’.

Sr. Dr. Pushp am took us to the maternity works. Here w hospital wher e saw the new e she born babies; o born that day n e of them had . It was heartb just been r ea k in g to hear abou this child, wh t the mother o o was disappo f inted to disco baby was fem ver that the s ale, after alrea ex of her dy having a made an extr 3 y ear old girl. W a special effo e rt to c o m p li birth of their ment the fam beautiful gir ily on the l.

Still in our s aris, and ver y hot, we atten Children’s Pa ded the rliament mee India Fa ti ct ng. It was ref A see the young ll o reshing to f India is children getti under a single ti ng involved in government’ m e z on the e. s issues and ta k in g on an active trying to res role in olve them. Des pite the langu Sevena did h age barrier, S er best to tran ister s la te. We didn’t as it was clea need to trans r to see from lation th e en th u siasm gettin involved in p g the children olitics. Sean a n d S a m impressed for 484567345 64275647th the time with the and ‘the baby worm freeze’

By Emma K ane and Fino la Billings Indi a F

a

ct India e xperien ces six season s: summ e r , autum winter n, , spring , s u mmer monso on , a n d winter monso on

s with our u b e h t o t n ed i nd cramm a y l ulder as r o a h e s y ’s a n d a r e u S o to We began crushed in e r e w i to start h a ic r h u w d a w o M t r n fo suitcases i t. We set of a e s w o d n i w First we . e s h t t e d k e r t a n m a the Sam w perience in x e g o several in t p e p o m h o s h n g a i n ildi our Ind a small bu t a f s where we f t o e s k r g a a b m r e u h ot dropped o hort drive t s a n markets e e h t h T s . a e l w p e o r e e p n priests. Th ny Europea he a m o s e e s to rent from t e d f e f s i i d r p r ly u l s a tic were e were a dras y e h t for the pric d e l n g a g r a e i h s o u t d were b e to the nee r u d e m o h k so cheap fo ac e b r e g w n i s e p c p i o r h p s er pay. Howev o t t aggle. The n a h o w t u d o e e y t n a o n th t there was a Indi a h t s t c u d o ple with a Fact m a x e I r n o many pr f d d ia is e an e p u r t 1 h s d e e e = emo up large 1p cracy st it cost 34 r l currency is m 0 i 5 n 7 s t a h w e h c i worl ke wh d bottle of co = 34p. ant to get r u a t s e r n a di are ent to an In w e w s ed we all sh i t s h e t g g u s After s ret ng e would reg t. Mr. Billi a w e o n t o i s g i n c i e h ad somet s, we agreed; y l t n and noodle a t e c c i r lu e d r e i d r f n en meals a ls of chick an w o b r u o f r e er of four n d aft r s o a e d n i o s r a e t la nd out how s of chips a d n n o u i t o r f o p n i r a u ag curry, fo y. We once r g n u h y when the c ll i n t e r s r e u r c e w g n breads we g the sterli in w lo l o ed out to be f k e r o b w o t t i e r , e le eop lucky we w ees for 14 p p u r 0 0 1 3 out at meal came sh money! li g n E n i 1 just £3 e set off to w l a e m e h After t mple, but e T e h t t i s i v into some n a r r e v e w ho no we realized n e h w le b trou n owed. A ma l l a e r e w s t shor

Namaste,

offered us tw

o used, dirty dhotis but th ankfully one dian sisters refused In 1 1 ,4 of the th nly 1 e o m a is n e ’s r e o ffer and in r Th wild e h t r ep et in urn he called eatedly a ‘cra ft tigers le zy girl.’ Luc her k il y Mrs Garvey and bought u intervened s some dhotis (basically a after being s men’s skirt) earched by a and s ec u rity guard th his job far too a t clearly enjo much we wer yed e ready to en ter.

Upon our entr ance we were then greeted surreal experie by a nce that took s h a pe in an Elephant tha t took 10 rup ees from you its trunk an using d in return b le s s ed the people b rubbing their y heads with it a n d w o uld then proceed to sub tly pass it’s o wner who sat beneath the m oney it had ea rned.

The temple is a very sacred place for Hindu’s and many areas within the temple were r estricted for H indu practice parts of the te only. Despite mple we did s this, the ee were so intric believe they w a te it was hard ere built by p to eople long ag o.

After the visit to the Temple was over we h overnight tra ad another sta in to look for y on the ward to as we This time the re turned to Chen seating arran nai. g em ents ran a lo however whils t m ore smoothly t Mr. Billing s was helping were ours his us identify w bag was stole hich beds n .

F ortunately th any true valu ere was nothin e inside (Lik g of e h is p a s s port, for exam just goes to s how how orga ple.), however nized crime ex it country. The is ts in ev ery only thing w e did lose was snacks and a some lot of money b u t a fter the game scrabble starte of India Fact d these painf u l th oughts were obsessed forgotten.

India is more g records with breakin

By Sam Hall untry worth and Sea ny other co a n a th n Maguinnes s ct India Fa

India Fact

The national sy mbol of India is the enda ngered Bengal Tiger.

Namaste, ia and for d In in y a our last d ad to say h e w e s Toady was u a c be ere. s a sad day a w t i have met h s e u w f le p o all o e p ich we had nderful h o w w e d h e t n ll n a t pla goodbye to we had a lo ky a d d a s a here the tuc s w a h w c i t i h h w g p e tri Althou to the whol d r a h we had a w r g o u f o h g t n s i i k h o t ll been lo a as. Before a n n e h this was h g r u u o o h t d l n A a . e y da tuck rid ing a Sun e b it o t e u md mass at 9a ss at home a m a o t e c erien . similar exp differences t c in t s i d few d there were a hat they di t s a w e c n e differ o One main ut they als b d o G ip h s r not just wo nd practises a e h t t u o b a talked der Nano n u o f r i e h t of experiences Nagle. ass after the m y l e t a i d e a short walk m d a im h t d s o n a m l t a A r he g to get ou o the India t n i n d i l i t u u o b d ll e a sm we stepp pound to a m o to get a c d k e r d a i p c e h d c r y u e arv in the Ch and Mrs G s u f in us due o jo 8 t o ll n A . d e l u n o o sc hennas d Mr Billing ly e t a n u t o the local or t f s n r u e t t s u i b s o a tw henn . a trip with e k a t o on the train t t g n e in id v c a h in e at to him ers e unfortun h t o t e were 3 sist u e d r e n h t io t e a d t a s sh police d ing in the d l i u b e nas. We ha h t n e f o H e r d u i o s t o od Just ou a ere going t w o h w s and have t d n n e a v h n o r c u o e of from th o the inside n o m e ecided to g h d t e e v H a . h n o a t e S all opted one person, t p e c x a e n r e patt which was d i a s e h traditional s a ly’ more ‘man g n i h t e m o act for s ead he di a F h s n i I h 010 In . m r a the 2 s i h d e n o t in os snake idea, ames t dia h n G a n I li h l i t r l b d a s was a i hoste h onwe t r e d m e w e v e e v m r i l u e e o t b ic C has n see in the p mes n a i, but c h u l o e y ic Ga s p D a r e m v y e l how the O

do not think it went to pla n. Our henna drawn quite s were quickly but for a good ho to allow our h ur we had and to dry w hich was a big we had to eat task as lunch while th ey were still d rying.

Due to us goin g to be havin g a lack of sle were heading ep as we to the airport a t 1 2am we all w to our rooms ent back to get some s le ep . However no except for Sa one did m. Who stay ed asleep while a blog from the ll of us went previous day to do our . As this was do much excep o ur last day w t relax but we e did not w er e all excited for After dinner our tuc tuc rid which again e. could not be f taste and as aulted on always we wer e completely ready for our full. We were tuc tuc ride w Indi a h ic h we took in probably the 3s. It was India is offi Fact most unsafe cially kn but fun vehic own as the Rep go in. It only le y ublic of ou could had 3 wheel’s India. , no back win doors and as dow, no most cars in India no seatb round the con elts. The driv vent and we er took us c a n a ll say we had drive like tha not experienc t before. ed a

By Hannah M

assey

Indi a

Fact

Namaste,

ely was extrem e n o y r e v E . was a pain e The airport home but w t e g o t d e t st wan ecurity. ju s t d r n o p a r i d e a r f i t ls o ugh the toi o r h t g ter in o fore g y. Even af ll ia c e p s couldn't be e e m . y hungry, r the plane r o e f v t l i l a a w o o t ls ad We were a curity we h e s t r o p ir a y lowest m gh u f o o r e h t n o g d n e i enc gett hat I experi t t r o through an p r g i a n i e h lk t a t a W : ia It was t time in Ind y m g urine whils n in i r u d e d r e s t v o n sc mome the floor wa h c i h e of a kind w n o in a t e l i ly e o t t i efin Indian s made it d p lo -f p li f ly wearing on e.’ et experienc il o t azing to n m a a i d s a “In w t i ys lane journe p o w t h g u ro iving back r h t D . g l n a i n p i e e l m er After s o anchester t M e h t ad grown s t h a e s w e s li i a l m a a u us see our f seemed un d a o r t n e l i ct on the s le a f e r n o w t o e d e m i hom us t erspective. p ia but gave o d t In in o s t g d e thin accustom tainly put fer r e c d a h p i feel we suf tr e e h w T ’ s . e e l c b n u e o i ‘tr exper . ay to day d e h t t laugh etc.) a h ’s t e n s a u K d e a w mm It sho e suffer. revision, E l , p o k e r p o w n ( a i y d a In with everyd as ose that the h t o t d e r a p India trip w m e o h c t g f o n i e h c t n rie Were no m my expe o r f e only see it k a o t t l d il e t w c I e p g x ,Ie One thin overty was p e h w it from t a d s a I e r d p a s e e t d s i u. In just how w Varasanad f o s t r a p l s what our ra u u r d e e r w o o h m s e lso in t h airport. It a gh regard i e h h t r i t e f h e t l e — t w los the second dia hasn't In t a h t g ted us like sin a e s i r t m y s e a h t w t a society l ; the fact th y d o b y ferent racia r f e i v e d f o t o t le c e p o p pe and res ite’ whereas h the ‘w g n i e b d in or e f t t a e s r t ju e s b e o s r e he can sometim K U e h t n gs in India heritage i n i h t e India Fact s e h t gI Seeing in . h y t a y w r e e v e it s , son oppo The capital of Indi me as a per d a is e g n a h c s a ly e h c it u s Ne s i w defin s De lhi. ba on a daily d e t n a r g r o take f

te is of sta d a e dul The h .J. Ab P .

A t en Presid Kalam

education, m oney, food—w ere what the chil dren of India strived for. With thei r overall amb ition in life to reac h the point th at me and the majo rity of people in the UK are born into. The trip to India was an eye opener, on eI am sure non e of us will ev er forget..

India Fact

By Sean Ma g

uinness

h Asia, India lies in sout an, China between Pakist and Nepal.

Village Life

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What next for the Clinic?

Students Finola, Sean, Matt, Cara, Hannah, Emma, Rebecca and Elysia met with community leaders and the Presentation Sisters to consider issues of development and sustainability, focusing on community health education, provision of medicines, and maintenance and transport, to enable outreach to two other local villages. The provision of a resident Doctor is also being considered.

The meeting went on late into the night with all interested parties outlining their priorities. As a result of which students have confirmed All Hallows’ commitment to continued awareness raising and Fundraising to support Phase 3.

This will include £1,000 to provide Free medication, prescriptions and dressings for the Villagers accessing the Medical Centre; £2000 to provide Community Education Outreach and the technology to facilitate Health Education projects within the Community rooms plus £1,000 per year for Maintenance costs.

Prayer Father, you have made all people in your own likeness, and you love all that you have made, Your Son was born As a member of a Jewish family, and was recognised by wise men from the east, He rejoiced in the faith of a Roman soldier and a Syrian woman, and he praised Samaritans for their attitude and good works.

He welcomed the Greeks who searched for him, and he was helped to carry his cross by an African Father, may our human family not become separated from you by building barriers of race and colour, of class and belief, Inspire us to recognise that we are all made in your image and likeness, so that we may grow in appreciation of all people, and encourage each other to grow in pride in who we are and who we are called to be May we recognise your Son in our minds, and live truly as brothers and sisters Amen

Special thanks to Kate McGuigan in Year 13 for her assistance in the production of this edition with Mr Gostelow.

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