Welcome to the official blog for Raleigh India 12I | July - August 2012



Welcome to the Official Blog for Raleigh India 12J September - December 2012.



Tuesday 11 August 2009

Charlie 4 wows MC Tolalu Hundi

News from Charlie 4 project site by Meriel, Nat and Claire written on Sunday when the loop visited the project.

The small local school yard was packed with eager faces and nervous performers on Saturday night as MC Tolalu Hundi prepared itself to have its first taste of western talents. Think Britain’s got talent but minus Simon Cowell and with the addition of a banana eating competition.



This the way in which Charlie 4 chose to mark its ninth evening as honorary members of the local community.

Far from what the polished acts would suggest the participants had faced a long week of manual labor that had pushed them to see where their physical and mental limits lay. Literally thousands of bricks, buckets of sand and endless sweaty tshirts had haunted their days whilst bucket showers and wet wipes became evening pastimes. Despite the hurdles the foundations of the 16 eco sanitation units are fully in place and just need their roofs and a lick of paint to cross the finishing line (get in there C4!). Villages and mason alike express their willingness (despite severe communication issues) with smiles goat impersonations and squabbles over work tools, tape measures continue to vanish in to mid-air with no logical explanation.

Spirits are kept high by favorite mason Chico who delights us all with his warbled versions of hot cross buns and the Cheeky Girls. Competitive natures have emerged within the group with the brick carrying record currently standing at 14 bricks (show us your guns Rory!). The girls (Nat and Mez) triumphed over the boys (Lewis and Rory) in a brick carrying race (show us your guns?).

Outside of work and chores (the dreaded toilet duty – Claire again?!) time can still be found for early morning walks, late evening swims and socializing with the locals – “Horigoda hogoo” (go away let me shower).

The group continues to grow closer and become the cliché ‘family’. Above: a group review

The food is amazing but curry several times a day is taking its toll. So, families please take note that favorite meals should be ready and waiting on our return! Hundreds more stories than can be told now but an early night is needed by all for the excitement that will be tomorrow’s safari (elephants please!).
More pictures to follow...
Posted by Raleigh India at 10:26

10 comments:

  1. from Lizzie11 August 2009 at 14:31

    Hi Meriel, What a thrill to hear and see you and some of what you've been up to. I laughed out loud - loved the poem and to see the competitive spirit rules on! Will alert the Marshalls and rest of the family to the blog. Hope the safari was wonderful! loads of love darling mumxx

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  2. Anonymous11 August 2009 at 20:52

    RORY! amazing to hear you've introduced the gun show to India...but beaten by girls?! hope you're well dude. I've left the Silch...sad times. See you soon, Tom. x

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  3. Anonymous11 August 2009 at 20:53

    Rory you banana eating gut bucket!!!! So so happy to see that you are still alive and not fading away even if the diet looks a little limited... Sadly I leave India tomorrow and already I am looking forward to coming back, I hope that you will feel the same. All my love to you mumxxxx

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  4. Anonymous12 August 2009 at 00:50

    Hi Fatmata,we received ur text and happy to heard that you are fine.We are thinking of you everyday we miss you alot,just continue to enjoy ur trip we always pray 4 u. We saw you in ur orange t-shirt during ur group review but pretend so bored if so try not to please, we are happy for you back home and we are fine here.luv from uncle, mum and jeff

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  5. Anonymous12 August 2009 at 02:41

    Hi Rory,
    Just been out for an Indian with Su and Doug and thought of u! However it is clear that bananas are the way forward for u! Hope everything is going well toilet wise, and that ur missing us loads!

    Love u loads and cant wait to hear all about it, miss u lyner!

    love Dad, Lottie, Su and Doug xxx

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  6. Anonymous12 August 2009 at 03:16

    Hi Nat, The poem and its performance was brilliant - I really enjoyed it! and it was good to see you enjoyed it too. Very impressed with your brick carrying performance! I will want a full technical run down on the construction.......! Hope you enjoy the Safari, and you 'capture' some good wildlife photos. Love Dad xxxxx

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  7. Anonymous13 August 2009 at 19:31

    Dear Rory!!!!

    Thanks for the message my beautiful brother :)
    I just saw that hilarious video of you stuffing that banana down...you big banana!!!!!

    I am so proud of you, you look like you are having a blast and I can see that you are throwing your self in head first you crazy cat you. I'm so looking forward to hearing all your tales. I love Rory, Alice x x x x

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  8. Anonymous14 August 2009 at 00:08

    Hi Chris,
    It sounds as though you're working hard as well as having fun. Building toilets sounds a right laugh - goat impersonations????

    Love Mum and Dad xx

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  9. Anonymous15 August 2009 at 02:52

    Hi Meriel
    Envious of your adventure
    Lots of love Daryl

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  10. Anonymous22 August 2009 at 17:10

    Hi Rory

    you look as if you are enjoying yourself.seeyou on your return and hear all about it.
    love nana.

    ReplyDelete

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