Echo Three – The first five days

GUEST BLOG by DEL ROBERTS

I was lucky enough to deploy with Echo 3 to their project site in Basava Pura at the start of Phase 2. The group where keen to erect their bashers, given that it would be the first time anyone had slept in them. After a couple of hours of hard work and to everyone’s delight 14 bashers were ready and waiting, luckily just in time before the first of many heavy rain showers arrived at Echo 3. That night with everyone in the communal tent, that also acted as the kitchen, tool shed and food store, the talk was of what lay ahead for the group. With that the group headed off for their first nights sleep in a basher.

The following morning after what many described as one of the best nights sleep they had since arriving in India, the group headed off to the trench to see the extent of the task ahead of them. That afternoon Echo 3 were invited to the village temple to witness a blessing as part of the Diwali Festival. The group were welcomed by everyone in the village and a sumptuous three course meal was provided by the villagers, they even made a special curry with less chilli powder than normal.

Echo 3 wake up at 0530 every morning to the smell of porridge being prepared by the camp duty team and then head off for a day at the trench by 0630. They are full of banter and high spirits whilst at the trench with jokes and stories being shared. In the afternoon, there is interaction with the local village where recently a volley ball match was quickly arranged and depending on whom you ask the villagers were victorious by a small margin or convincingly beat Echo 3. Cricket and football matches are being planned.

 

The group have discovered a short cut to a nearby lake, making it only a 40 minutes walk away, they regularly venture to the lake to cool off and unwind after a morning of rewarding but hard work.

Food is a constant subject of the group, with everyone taking it in turn to impress the rest of the group with their culinary skills. There is plenty to eat and the standard of cooking very impressive. As I was leaving to return to Fieldbase, an oven was being built so homemade pizzas could be cooked, to the groups delight.

I enjoyed my short stay with Echo 3 and look forward to being updated on the project and on the success of the oven.

Del Roberts – Deputy Programme Manager

Message from Coen:
Caroline en Papa gefeliciteerd. Groeten Coen
Hi dad - Please can you change my flight to return on the 25th December. Thanks Coen

All text and photos by Del Roberts (unless stated otherwise).