Ch ch ch ch changes...

After everyone and their trek kit was all cleaned up yesterday, it was time to find out in the heat of the sun which project they were off to for the first three weeks along with who their new project mates were going to be. It was all done through another game in which people had to close their eyes and then guess which project had been written on their head.

What was India 6 keeping their peepers shut.

Rachel and Dharmendra

Anne-Romee, Thatte and Alexander

All is revealed to Catherine and Rachel who are off to Community projects.

Wieger, Jessica and Sunil.

Sachin off to an environmental project

Genevieve, Phil and Nic are still in the dark.

Laura and Clare both off to Charlie 1

The bonding starts straight away for those heading off to Charlie 2.

There was already much sadness about leaving the groups they’d been in for the few days of induction as strong bonds had already been formed. But as they say, a change is as good as rest and it was swapsies time as the new groups were announced. So in no particular order, actually that’s a lie as we’re going in number order – here are the groups for Phase 1...

Charlie 1 – Community phase building bio-gas units in Vellary

Back row L - R - Scott, Ben, Dharmendra, Philip, Stuart (PM)
Middle row L-R - Kannan, Clare, Fieke, Ed, Samantha
Front row L - R - Eeva (PM), Laura, Rachel, Danielle

Charlie 2 – Community phase building eco-sanitation units in Boredevaramunti

Back row L - R - Sunil, Dan, Andy, Louis, George
Middle row L-R - Kate (PM), Nic, Lucy, Sophie, Daphne, Catherine
Front row L - R - Flo, Rachel, Lottie and Mona (PM)

Echo 3 – Environmental phase building solar fences and elephant trenches in Huskurhadi

Back row L - R - Dave (PM), Sachin, Chris, James
Middle row L-R - Alex, Anne-Romee, Louisa, Georgia, Katy, Ellie
Front row L - R - Cas, Karla, Cat (PM), Philip

Echo 4 – Environmental phase also building solar fences and elephant trenches in Basava Pura

Back row L - R - Elliott, Ross, Becky, Lauren
Middle row L-R - Wieger, Felix, Holly, Sian, Sean, Book, Celine (PM), Keiran
Front row L - R - Dan (PM), Anna, Lauren

Tango 5 – Trekking phase in Kerala

Back row L - R - Hugh, Richard, Martyn, Sankar, Guy, guest appearance from Phil from C1, Andy
Middle row L-R - Ros (PM), Naomi (PM, Laura, Sophie, Alice, Emily, Genevieve
Front row L - R - Ellie, James, Georgina

Tango 6 – also a trekking phase in Kerala

Back row L - R - Jonathan, Phil, Alex, Robert
Middle row L-R - Susan (PM), Clare, Maddy, Jessica, Sarah, Binika, Ameze
Front row L - R - Sam, Thatte, Simone, Stuart (PM)

Oh and for some reason that I am yet to work out, everyone had moustaches painted on today. And when I say everyone, I mean EVERYONE.

Becca and Theja

Captain Kate

The newest member of The Village People.

I tried to run and hide but there was no escape.

Mark looks more like a bat has settled under his nose but we won't mention it...

Once we knew all the new groups it was time to pick the expedition song, so after much whooping and a hollering – we have a winning tune! I can tell you now, I’ve had many sleepless nights trying to pick songs that a bunch of cool and trendy young uns are going to like but we seem to have done the trick. We’re not going to let you in on what the song is as yet though so you’ll have to wait until the end of expedition to see our very own music video, exciting.

It’s everyone’s last night in camp together before they all head off at first light tomorrow out to their new project sites for the next three weeks. There’s been lots of clothes washing, planning and packing going on today as they take everything with them from field base, from the equipment, tools, food and loo roll (essential not to run short!) to the bamboo and tarpaulin needed to make their shelters.

Polly and Becca have had the tricky task of organising and planning the food and equipment for all the teams which has been a mammoth effort but all seems to be going to plan, so far...

Becca and Polly just getting started

 As the packing continues and the sun sets, everyone is very excited about their new groups and the projects they’re about to go and work on for the next three weeks. They’re going to be working hard but seeing some amazing things.

Some of them have also managed to find a few spare minutes to reply to your messages...

From - Keiran Armour

To – Jan

Hi Jan, I’m having a great time. The weather is really good. I will send you a postcard soon.
Lots of love, Kieran x x

From – Samantha Anderson

To – Mummy, Daddy, Squidge and Shelby

Thank you for my blog messages and it was so nice to talk to you on the phone. I’m really homesick but it’s really nice here. The weather is fantastic so I’ve already got a slight tan :) My first phase is a community one, Charlie 1 is my group and we’re doing the bio-gas units. Hope you’re all well. Can you say hi to everyone for me? Love you all and miss you loads xxxx

From – Ameze Simbo

To – Mum, Lucy and Kwesi

Hey! I’m ok but my phone is out of battery. Having fun and the weather is great, waking up early every morning (so unusual for me LOL!). Miss you guys, will text soon, love meh xxx

From – Katy Star

To – Dommer, old man, motherships, my bobs

Hiya! Just cleaned the toilets and thought of you all! Have been waking up very early (4:30 first morn!) did one day of trekking anc got blisters! Head not sunburnt yet...! Love and miss you all xxx
Ps send presents!

From – Wieger van Rinkhuyzen

To – P and M and D

Lieve Pap, Mam en David,

Het is hier geweldig! Ik heb eerst een introductie – periode gehad met een hele leuke grope. Nu ga ik morgen naar eerste project; environmental! We gaan trenches graven! Daarnaast bouwen we ons eigen ‘basha city’ een hangmatdorp met keuken ‘oven’, douche etc!! Je kunt altyd berichten sturen naar het blog, iedere 5 dagen kan ik myn antwoord doorgeven. Zy typen het dan uit vannacht voor het eerst lekker geslapen, want bedden zyn klein. Na environmental gann we naar mysore en kunnen we wellickt skypen!
Ik meld datum & tyd wel via sms als ik weet hoe en wat! Heel veel liefs en ik ga proberen een brief te schryven wieger = vic again :)!

More messages to come tomorrow.

We're all up at five am to get everyone on the buses and out to their projects, so time to turn in.