Charlie 3 are straight off the blocks and have made a fantastic start to phase one

Today, Charlie 3 was visited by Sophie Cragg and Tom Blincoe aka  "Dr Tom"! I haven't had the opportunity of introducing Tom before. He is our field base medic this phase but he will be getting out there for phases 2 and 3 as a project manager. After leaving Raleigh he will be going to work as a doctor in New Zealand. So far amongst the many things I have learnt about Tom are that he plays the guitar, he makes his own bacon, he cooks awesome food and he also works as a trustee for an HIV/Aids charity in Tanzania. We also have Tom to thank for the photographs used in today's blog. Oh and yes I forgot to mention he is also a great photographer.

                                                  Dr Tom

So what is the latest at Charlie3?                                                         

Group Photo of Charlie 3

(  L to R  Back Row:Jo Ryan, Dave Reynolds, Christina Sales, Claire Taylor, Amy Broughton, Julie Edgell

Front Row: Jake Hansen, Henry Britton, Richard, Chiara Raine, Hugo Goodale, Sasi, Jo Duckett Charles Salmon) Annie Raff was not featured in this particular photo as she was on this occassion feeling unwell - but rest assured she is now fine and is back on her feet and working hard!

                             

It is good to see that the Project Managers are leading by example and Jo and Dave are really getting stuck in!

Beds for the night 

Henry Britton one of the venturers working on the Charlie 3 project has provided us with a written update which helps transport us to the village. So thanks also go to Henry for this blog entry.

Staying in a remote rural village encircled by vast crop growing fields and with a stunning lake nearby, life for Charlie 3 on their sustainable agriculture project phase 1 has started smoothly with the tasks beginning promisingly and a good spirit developing within the group. Local chefs Timpathi and Chandra have eased the integration process by serving up a series of delicious meals which have been well delivered. Indian staples feature prominently alongside more international vegetables such as (skinless) cucumber and sweetcorn. This has left the team well nourished and brimful of energy for the various projects. Continuing on the food front, "cake break" in the afternoon shade has also been a popular part of the routine with packets devoured during periods of well earned respite.

                                     Meal times in the community

With the "digging heavy" emphasis of the projects, physical exertion has been very much to the fore, taxing conditions and baking heat mean that the groups fitness has been placed under the microscope and a particular onus has been put on co-operation and team work.

Charlie 3 working as a team and "digging heavy"

Local expertise in the core labour disciplines of pick axing, shovelling and loosening soil has been put to good use with the groups technical prowess at these skills coming along nicely despite some early teething difficulties.

Foundations for the rain water harvesting have been dug at the school

"Off the pitch" enthusiam has filled the air, with card games by the bucketload, french cricket and volleyball in the evening providing an intriguing sub plot to the wider narrative of the group's activity. Unfortunately, it is with regret that I must report at this stage Chiara's ever widening lead with her greater experience proving decisive at critical moments on more than one occasion. Richard our exuberant native presence has also provided many a light hearted moment with his executive wake up calls and Celine Dion infatuation providing a most appreciated form of additional entertainment (read heartfelt renditions of the Titanic theme tune during trench digging sessions).

A special mention here must also go to Mr Narayana Setty our MYKAPS representative and host whose wisedom and kindness have played no small part in making the group feel welcome in the community.

Julie Egdell one of the venturers from Charlie 3 has kindly written a poem about India. She has dedicated this poem to Alex but she has kindly agreed to share it with us all! For me it sums up India perfectly.

India is laughter, chatter, horns beeping,

bells on ankles, singing and drumming from distant fields, prayer.

India is spice, ginger, saffron, chilli, garlic.

India is incense, jasmine, cinnamon,

the smell of earth baking in the sun.

India is gariesh, rarna, temples, 1001 steps,

bindis, saris, coloured paint and sparkle.

India is traffic, ox drawn carts,
monkeys eating ice cream,
snakes, tigers, elephants, cows on the motorway.

In India the moon glows as orange as the dust
but these are the same stars every night,
I look for Orion and travel back to you.