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Alpha Group Updates!

Alpha One – Hosekerasunda Community Project

By Project PRO Will Murray

Alpha one have been making progress in their aim of building ten eco-sanitation units by the end of this phase and are well on track. The masons’ seemingly incessant cries of Gari gari, neru neru and itige; the Kananda words for cement, water and bricks respectfully are the source of many a joke, whilst sharing in their builder banter has meant that we have struck up a pretty good rapport.

Meanwhile, the female members of our group have been press-ganged into wearing saris by the local women, resulting in many photos and cries of ‘sundura’; the Kannada word for beautiful. It has been an absolutely fantastic experience becoming part of the fabric of daily life in the tiny village of Hosekerasunda. Daily swims in the reservoir while the local fishermen clean out their nets on their boats and watching the sunrise and sunset from on top of the hill that overlooks the ramshackle cottages has eased us into the relaxing lifestyle the villagers seem to enjoy. Sleeping out under the stars has been another idyllic experience.

Living in a school means that we are at the heart of the village, especially from the children’s perspective. Kannada lessons and games of cricket, Catch and Duck Duck Goose have become part of our daily life. Sharing in their energy and inquisitiveness has been brilliant. Getting the villagers both young and old involved in our events we have organised such as our Mini-Olympics has been a real highlight; a great way to break down any cultural or language barriers. The events of the past week and a bit have created so many experiences and memories that it already feels as though it will be difficult to leave.

Alpha Two - Nagarhole National Park

Still no update from our Project PRO this week, we're still waiting on Alpha Two for that. But even so, we've heard that everything is going well in the National Park. The group have been busy at work on the elephant-proof trenches and yesterday had a trip to the local village of HD Kote. The group are also involved in improving the garden around the Inspection Bungalow this Phase, so have been digging and building a border made of bricks and are now ready to start planting!

Alpha Three – Chattamunnar Trek

By Project PRO Thomasin Lockwood:

The alarm goes: 5am. Roll over, cover your ears; it’s cold, dark, damp. But the prospect of the day ahead pulls the twelve venturers and three PMs out of their tents and into the early morning.

Watching the sunrise as we eat porridge, we start the day. Alpha Three are hard and fast; we power through the day, working up a sweat, taking in the breathtaking scenery as we trudge along.

Sunburnt, scratched and bruised we sing and laugh as we experience the best days of our lives. We end the day around the campfire; exhausted but satisfied, craving the next day and dreaming about the cycling and kayaking to come.