1st MONTH REPORT

Traveling

Destination: India

Travellers: Dace, Martins and Edgars (LV)

We left Hornsjoe early in the morning 22.11.2010 and we had flight to London at 7

am. In London we only had to wait 2 hours till next plane (hurray!) so we exchanged

money and the time came to say goodbye to western civilization.

The flight was long, but comfortable. We landed in New Delhi 23.11.2010 at 2 am.

So for the first time we breathed the air of India - and it really was different! The air

in the evenings and night is full with strange fog and air density, especially in big

cities. In the airport at first it was hard to notice someone looking especially for us (a

lot of signs and „welcomers‟). But we spotted two guys with HPP sign. They were the

headmaster of TCGD Haryana and another dude. One of the first topics they wanted

to share was: „Do you know Dido? He‟s having a picnic in Goa now!” They were

very enthusiastic sharing their opinions about him.

First 4 nights we stayed in TCGD Haryana, waiting for DI responsible person to

arrive, but he was in some kind of meetings, so he couldn‟t come. Instead of him,

came Pashupati Mahato. He seemed a really nice and trustworthy guy. With him we

had meeting, where we decided, when we are leaving and other details.

I and Dace had to go to Delhi, to book train tickets. Auto Rikshas is a special topic –

first of all – before you travel some route, ask one of your Indian friends, what is the

price for this or that distance, because if you don‟t know this, the drivers may ask 20

times bigger price. And – it is small vehicle, but its amazing, how many people can sit

in it. The biggest, that I have counted so far, was 16 passengers and driver in between

somewhere

The contradiction between Auto Rikshas and Metro in New Delhi is huge! Metro is

ultra modern and by the way – first wagon is always reserved for ladies!

The scenario for buying the tickets was classic for tourists here. We reach the train

station. Ask way to a person, who is dressed like a railway station worker. He says

that the office has already been closed for a month and he will show where the new

office is. He shows the way. Then there we meet another dude in uniform who is

super friendly, tells the name of new office and even deals with Auto Rikshas driver,

to take us to that office. After 3 minutes we arrive in an office, where is sitting young

Indian guy, he seems polite and very interested to help us.

“Where do you come from?”

”First time in India? –WELCOME!”

“Have you been in Agra – It‟s a beautiful place, you should visit it!”

But when already was going 3rd

circle of the same questions it was clear – this is not

the office!

He operates internet reservation page very quickly and shows, no place is available

the following week directly to Bhubaneswar, Orissa, and suggests 5 times strongly,

that we should travel through Agra. Overall we don‟t trust this guy and after drinking

chai, we say goodbye, we will think about your offer. We decide to go back to train

station and try once more – this time without asking for help. And we succeed!!! We

find the nice, Air-conditioned office with comfortable sofas for tourist tickets.

It‟s right there in that railway complex. Don‟t go out of it!!!

You have to find platform N° 1 and then it‟s around strange curve. Be sure – its there

and it‟s not closed or moved!!!

For 40 hours I felt like trapped in a gipsy market

But we are strong and we survived without deep mental traumas!

As we were sleeping in upper apartment and downside was full of Indians. (I really

mean it – full) we didn‟t see much of India, as we traveled across it.

Train started 2 hours later and we reached our destination – Jajpur Road with 10 hours

delay. We called Pashupati and he arranged, that teacher from TCGD and my PL

picks us up.

We were so happy to reach TCGD Orissa, that it seemed like paradise!

The building itself is new – project is the first to rent it. They have been living here

since 2009.

My activities is to give presentations about different topics!

Another big action these days was Tree planting action.

It was sponsored by NOKIA and they gave 1200 small trees to plant in district.

As CDP project is new – the staff is also new and they don‟t have experience in

organizing big actions like that. In the beginning it seemed, that they don‟t have any

idea, how to plant – distance, how deep, etc. but they are also learning, so hopefully

those trees will grow big and strong.

Martis-my work is to visit local villages and talk with villagers, about their problems and explain

about Humana organization activities. Its quiet interesting job and I am attractive to them and I

draw attention. The only problem is that I don‟t know local language, so I need to use body

language to communicate. That is why I am slowly learning local language – Oriya and they are

very happy to hear me speaking in their language.

In our operational area we have 22 villages. We organize villagers in Self Help Groups.

Our recent activity is going from village to village with theatre plays (jatra). This is the way we

explain to villagers about Humana activities. It is understandable for local people, because it is in

their language and actors are using local way of expression and attraction. These guys are really

funny. One of them is local Guru Ji. In their own way, they are unique, because of their ability to

improvise according to situation. During the play they manage also to eat and drink. I am in good

relationship with them ad they teach me how to play local musical instruments.

To the villages we are going with a special car, on which are fitted speakers. They usually put

music far too loud and everyday I need to use anti-headache pills

My staff mebers:

PL Omprakash Jogi-hi is gay wit good hard, his way of rooling staff and actions remains me

litle Napolion but I can not imagine better leader in this place like hi is!

Anoter staff members are good gays and we are good frends!