Hello,
I am catching a plane from Heathrow to Delhi this week and hopefully all the turmoil of the last couple of weeks, caused by the Icelandic volcano will be settled and everyone who has been stranded round the world will be back home in their own cosy beds.
You might like to know a little bit about the project I will be joining, so here goes:
iSpiiCE - Integrated Social Program in Indian Child Education
iSPiiCE is an organisation that builds partnerships between international volunteers and Indian communities. The project location is situated in the Kangra Valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The Kangra valley, has a mixed tropical and sub-Himalayan vegetation and is sheltered by the Dhauladhar Range and the Shivalik hills in the south. Situated amidst snow capped mountains and lush green valleys it is aided by a mild climate during the summer months. So you see I will be travelling to and living in ShangriLa, how cool is that! The region, despite it's natural beauty is cut off from main stream development and is in need of assistance in both materials and human resource. The project is situated in Palampur close to Dharamsala and is set in rural communities in the foothills of the Himalayas. The family backgrounds of the children are mixed, although many are from farming communities.
I will be working a minimum of 5 hours a day with optional extra workshops for older children and teenagers. My contribution will be in basic computer skills for local girls and women. English is not the first language in these rural areas and a vast majority of the Indian population miss out on quality opportunities of gaining confidence in the language. English language skills will be empowering for the locals and increase opportunities for employment.
Along with the voluntary work commitment I hope to visit McLeod Ganj (where the Dalai Lama lives) and spin some prayer wheels, where I will undoubtedly realise how blessed I am in having family and friends to love and be loved by; walk in the Dhauladhar range in the Himalaya; visit a hill station and enjoy a nice cup of tea while watching the tea leaves being plucked from the plants.
