A project summary from up in the clouds

All the Project Communications officers have beautifully written a summary of their projects for your reading pleasure...enjoy...

The last days of our experience by Bijal and Anna, Charlie 2
On the penultimate day on our project we planted amla and mango plants. As usual we woke up at the crack of dawn, had our mess tin porridge and trudged up to the fields feeling excited yet exhausted after two weeks of laborious digging. We spent the morning preparing the holes for planting by filling them up with plant cushioning and watering them. It was hard work but we persevered, knowing how much a big difference our work was going to make for Netikal Hundi. After digging we had a short lunch and fuelled up. We excitedly rushed back to our planting, one mango tree and one amla plant each. As each person planted their own plant we gave them each a clap of achievement as they looked on with pride. We had poured sweat and sheer determination into the whole process and so it was a special day. We all slept well that night, recharging our batteries for the big day we had ahead of us the next day.

The next day was inauguration day. We spent the morning preparing for our performances. We were going to sing Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes in Kannada and a rendition of Doe Rae Me complete with choreographed actions. Nick also wrote a speech expressing how thankful we are for to the villagers for their hospitality and kindness over the past two weeks.

We blushed with pride as we were given garlands of flowers each as a sign of the villagers appreciation of our hard work. The little children also did a traditional prayer song and a mesmerizing dance song and a mesmerising dance. They dressed us in beautiful saris and thanked us once more, and gave us chai tea.


When its raining its raining, rainwater harvesting at Mossarahalla
By Kezi and Beccy C, Charlie 3

Whilst we realize that this blog cannot give our project the justice it deserves, we are going to explain why Charlie 3 not only had the best group but also we were the envy of all the others!

We were deployed to Mossarahalla with the aim of building 18 rainwater harvesting tanks. The tanks would help to provide safe drinking water to various families who do not have access to clean water all year round.

Not only were we in for a cultural shock but also lots of hard and physically demanding work. We were working alongside skilled masons carrying bricks, sand and cement and developing our brick laying and plastering skills. While most of us took to bricklaying quite quickly plastering was a completely different challenge that most of us failed at leading to several collapsed walls (M-J!). Despite how hard the work was, we rose to the challenge and had loads of fun everyday – often leaving people in fits of laughter. When our PM Kate managed to pull off a mason’s skirt while taking a pile of bricks from him! Fun at work was not the only factor that made each day on project so enjoyable. We were staying in the village school and we were constantly surrounded by smiling children. The whole village was incredibly welcoming and supplied us with numerous cups of chai and delicious food. Sometimes the food was just too much – Beccy C and Kezi were given seven fist-sized rice balls with sauce and sugar very soon after their two portions of porridge – let’s just say that the sight of rice at lunch brought on sensations of nausea.

Not only did we manage to build 18 rainwater harvesting tanks but we also found time to paint the school, go on safari where we saw three elephants! We also visited the local town, HD Koti, giving us our first taste of meat since we arrived.

The opening ceremony was emotional – many of the villagers were crying, and really highlighted the bonds we made with the community. The local women dressed the girls in saris and the school children attached us with make-up and costume jewelry. Holly was unrecognizable!

Our phase tested us in more ways than we had expected and gave us a real insight in to people from rural communities in India.

Toilet time at MC Tolalu Hundi
By Nat and Claire, Charlie 4
As Amartya Sen described, ‘development projects are meant to inspire freedom for communities and initiate individual empowerment.’ Despite Raleigh group Charlie 4 being deployed to essentially build toilets for the small village of MC Tolalu Hundi this eco sanitation project matches Seri’s definition perfectly of a sustainable project centred on liberating the local community now and for the future.

Over the last two weeks the group successfully completed their task of building 16 eco-sanitation units. Each unit exemplified economic and social sustainability. This enabled villagers not only to dispose of waste in a hygienic manner but also turned it in to a compost which would provide economic security and fertility as a locally used and sold fertiliser. This is particularly important in this village of 57 families which previously had two toilets.

The project was a giant learning curve for all involved, being adopted in to a new alien culture, being pushed to their physical limits an d learning to communicate with masons and villagers through a combination of wild hand gestures , exaggerated facial expressions and goat impersonations! A great sense of satisfaction was felt by all on being actually involved throughout the whole construction process, from the foundations to the completed unit; whether it be through the carrying of bricks and sand or aiding on the cementing process. Although not when cement is poured down the back of your trousers (poor Mona!).

The experience given to the group was not limited only to working and all were glad to return to base, the local school, at the end of each day. This allowed everyone to form relationships with the many smiley children, as well as enjoy cultural experiences such as local cooking and traditional singing.

Another moment hugely appreciated by all was the beautiful opening ceremony, as the efforts made conveyed the sentiments of the villagers. Everyone was presented with traditional garland and made to feel special. Speeches were made in thanks as well as in relation to the potential the units offer. Favourite mason, Chico, reminded the group of our reasons for being there with an emotional speech which pleaded with the villagers to take advantage of the opportunity they have been given. I’m sure I saw project manager Lewis wipe away a tear!).

Not all our experiences were quite so emotional as there were plenty of opportunities for fun. The group went on two safaris and were rewared with the sight of a herd of 13 elephants - amazing!! There was also a chance for swimming and trekking to experience the awesome setting. Overall an unforgettable experience was had by all.

Our time in Ramaranai
By Becca Hammond, Echo 5

‘Water is life so you have brought life to this village.’ This profound quote from the head of the local NGO sums up the hard work that Echo 5 and 6 have put into the gravity water feed system project over the past couple of weeks. Our team, Echo 5, have built a check dam, a header tank, and have laid pipes all the way down a 2 km hill. Carrying heavy tools, pipes and rocks was a physically challenging experience but we all pulled together and team spirits remained high throughout.

Towards the end of the project Echo 5 and 6 joined forces. We worked tirelessly to ensure that the project was completed in time and we finished with two days to spare! It was an extremely emotional moment when the villagers and both teams crowded round the storage camp at the bottom of the hill to see water gushing out of the pipe. It felt fantastic to see the villagers so happy at having water flowing into their village for the first time and to see the smiles on everyone’s faces.

When the children saw the water they immediately jumped into the tank and started dancing and splashing water at each other; a memory that will remain with us for years to come. It is so satisfying to know that all our hard work has paid off.

We spent a magical last night with the villagers, dancing around the fire with them and eating curry on banana leaves under the tarp. Our teary goodbye illustrated the unforgettable bond that we formed with the Ramaranai community. They will be greatly missed.

What gravity can achieve with a few helping hands from Raleigh
By Jackie Echo 6

Despite being told Raleigh were to complete India’s first gravity water feed system without electricity, what at first seemed an almost impossible mission turned out to be, unquestionably, one of the most successful projects yet.

Our main aim was to provide Ramaranai with running water for drinking and irrigation purposes, allowing their fields to be better fertilized and thus more efficient in terms of crop production.

Although water pumps already existed not far from the village, both were in dangerous areas – outside an electric fence built to protect villagers from the danger of elephants.

We completed water tanks on 1 and 2 as well as the majority of trenching by 8th August. Right from the beginning the outstanding view from our work site of the mountainous and wonderfully green landscape inspired and enthused our work, as well as making giving something back to the village all the more necessary.

Our work was rewarded by three truly amazing day trips. A hectic but exciting trip to Thalavadai where we bought local produce, as well as devouring traditional Indian delicacies; a 6km trek through jungle abundant in wildlife – we saw lima and deer amongst massive bamboo plants, and eventually an elephant herd at their watering hole; an unforgettable trek up a 1399m peak to reach breathtaking views of out surrounding environment at the top.

A huge thank you and well done to all of the contributors to the blog, the submissions have been outstanding.

Right now field base is actually in a cloud at Lower Camp, Charlie 4 are still here and will be submitting their blog entry shortly! Everyone else deployed today so make sure you check back for updates on the adventure (and some pics)!