Charlie 2 show us around

We’re back! The loop crew has returned to our friends at field base after six days on the road visiting all the project teams and driving poor Manju slightly mad along the way!

Becca, Manju, Julia and I after eating our way around southern India to see the project sites.

As there’s so much to update you on and so many photos from the teams, I’m going to put one team update on here each day in the order that we saw them in. So today it’s Charlie 2 and then over the following three days there’ll be updates on Echo 3, Echo 4 and field base to see what they've been up to while we’ve been away. 


Our Kathryn (photographer) has been out with Tango 5 for the last 8 days but she's returning to field base tonight so we'll be getting all the gossip and the many photos she'll have taken and get them on here in the next few days too. We've been speaking to them every day and they're doing great so can't wait to see what they've been up to.

Missing messages

I’ve been taking all your blog messages out with me to pass on to the guys on the project sites but I’m aware that some people are having problems getting messages through on the blog as not all of them are coming through. Apologies for this, we’re looking into a bug in the blog software we’re using but for the moment it would be really great if you could keep trying to send them through until they appear. There’s usually about a 24 hour moderation time as I need to check and publish all messages so they won’t appear immediately. Thanks all and hopefully it’ll be fixed soon!

Your recent messages printed and ready to go out.

Right, back to our friends out on project sites. So Monday was day four of the loop visits which saw us head over to the village of Boredeveramunti to catch up with the Charlie 2 gang at work. The group are staying in the village school at the top of the hill. We arrived at lunch time and were welcomed so warmly by the school children on their break and then joined the Charlie 2 folks enjoying grub in their kitchen/dining area with an incredible view of the reservoir they’re surrounded by.

Arriving at the camp in the school.

The group's kitchen/diner.

The school classroom where the venturers are staying.

Kate shows us around their kitchen.

The dining room with spectacular views over the reservoir.

After lunch and a quick catch up, it was time for them to head back out to work. Charlie 2 are building the essential eco-sanitation toilets for some of the houses in the village so they’re split up into groups of three venturers house and each of the groups has a local mason working alongside them and showing them how to build and lay bricks plus the all important plastering skills. I went off in search of the groups in the village to see some of them in action.

Daphne, Sunil and George with their mason building the foundations of the toilet as the family elder looks on.

The male members of the family that the group are building the toilet for. There are four elder brothers in the family and two younger brothers.

Lucy, Nic and Florine show me their almost finished toilet foundations.

Nic, Florine and Lucy working with the mason and the family.

One of the groups returning to camp after a tough afternoon at work.

The mason, Dan, Lottie and Louis at their work site.

The mason showing Dan how it's done.

Here’s a more detailed write up of what they’ve been up to in the words of Lucy Curzon...

Although the members of “Charlie 2” have only been in Bordarvaramunti 4 full days, I am sure I can say on behalf of everyone that we have settled in brilliantly thanks to the wonderful people that live here.

Take Raja for example: this fisherman has continued to help us to get hold of sufficient water every day – purely out of his own generosity – as the supply seems to be totally erratic. What could have become much more of a problem has lessened thanks to his selflessness and that of the whole village, who are sharing this water with us for the entirety of our stay (no mean feat when you see all the jugs, cans, buckets lined up on our porch). I have been so touched by the kindness of the villagers. We must be so alien to them and yet we have been spoilt with chai at work breaks; the girls have had flowers put in their hair and their foreheads decorated with bindis.; and to top it all we we’ve had fantastic meals cooked for us each day.  The element of surprise however has dimmed as our second week approaches: “what d’you reckon’s for lunch?” “erm .....curry?!” It is delicious though.

As the 3^rd full working day comes to a close, almost all of the foundations for the 15 eco-sanitation units have been completed. It’s hot and tiring work but so satisfying seeing progress so quickly. The masons are about 10 times as efficient as us and never seem to tire or need a break, it’s incredible. However we do seem to have brought with us a Mason of our own, as Catherine Playfair  works like a machine and insists that she believes that she chose the wrong profession as this is the thing for her. A personal favourite on a particularly hot afternoon while working (Nick, Florine and Andy can back me up on this) has been the father of the household scaling a 20ft palm tree and bringing down fresh coconuts for us to eat and drink. His speed and agility climbing the tree (“health and safety” becomes a bit hazy at this point) was incredible (and slightly terrifying).

Going back a few days, as soon as we arrived we were met by a wall of eager children in adorable blue uniforms. All anxious to ask “Ma’am ma’am, what is you name? How are you?” Within the hour we had got them singing “Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” and since then many more games have developed, including “Duck, Duck, Goose”, “What’s the time Mr Wolf” and “Simon Says”. Louis, leading lots of the games with tireless enthusiasm actually created his own versions – “What’s the time Mr Cool?” and “Mr Cool says”; the children adore him, but it’s a bit bemusing constantly being asked where “Mr Cool” has got to...

On Sunday we went on a trip to the Golden temple, which was a lovely day out. We squeezed into the tiny bus (it was a miracle that Daan’s legs weren’t permanently folded by the end of the 3 hour journey there and back) and travelled in time Indian style.

It’s a magical place here with stunning views of the reservoir below us – it’s so beautiful that there’s no way words will do it justice. Kate and Mona continue to be absolutely brilliant PMs – but more than that – also companions and supporters.

Some final words from Lucy - It’s an amazing team to be part of an I am loving it. I know I speak for the rest of “Charlie 2” too!

While we've been out visiting the groups, I've also been collecting some of their photos to show what they've been up to since arriving. Here are some photos from Florine and Kate(PM).

Let's start with Flo's photos...

Enjoying a wash down in the reservoir.

At the Golden temple.

And here are some of Kate's...

All the ladies in the group receive flowers for their hair from the village ladies. An attempt to glam up the Raleigh uniform of dirty shorts and t-shirt I feel.
L - R - Catherine, Flo, Lottie, Daphne, Sophie, Rachel, Lucy, Kate (PM) and Mona (PM).

Rachel and Lottie get scrubbing. We've since heard that the toilets are currently being worked on due to 'blockages'.

Rachel gets to work.

Washing up in the river after a hard day's work.
Back row L-R Rachel, Sophie, Flo, Daphne, Catherine
Front row L-R - Nic, Andrew, Louis, Lottie, Sunil, George, Kate, Dan and Lucy.

Louis playing What's the time Mr Cool.

The group have stopped playing this game now as the kept getting caught by the kids as they're much faster.

Lucy learning a new handshake.

Catherine at one of the village houses.

Catherine, Rachel, Kate (PM), Lottie and Dan after getting their hair braided.

George heads down to the river.

Dan is a little too tall for the shower.

During this phase they’ll be building 15 toilets in total and we've just heard that they’ve completed the foundations of all 15 toilets within the first week which is fantastic.

In between the eating and the digging some of them also found time to write some messages... Many of these are in Dutch so apologies now if I've typed some of these incorrectly!

From - Sunil Mistry

To - Y’all

Hey what’s up you guys? Been building toilet foundations out here, great fun! Went to see the Golden temple yesterday, it was amazing! So beautiful! I’m loving living in the community and jumping in the reservoir for a swim after work! The weather’s HOT! Hope you’re all good, (and jealous). :P

From Florine
To – Matthijs
Lieve Matthijs, leuke dat je geblogd heb kiddo! Per ongeluk 25 x macr goed! Ik zit hier ineen prachtige omgeving, woon in een school op de grond met muui uitzicht en gelukkig een reservoir am in te zwemmer. Helaas moeten meisjes kleren aon met zwemmen dus echt tannen zit er niet in. Heb een leuken groep en we rebben gisteren ’Ik hou von Holland’ nagespeeld met de andere Dutchies. Mijn dagen bestaan uit toiletten bouwen en curry eten. Hoe is het dacr?Hier wel lekker 30 groden! Tot over 8 weken op laurentius! Veel success tijdens installatie en due. Ane en suus de groeties!
xxx Flo

From - Florine Boer
To - Matthijs Schroder

Haha leuk benchtie mat, was je in de eend oon het drinken klind? Mooi feestie? Heel veel liefs Flo!

From - Florine
To – Eveline Boer
Hi Lieve pap en mom, ik ben als eerste ingedeeld bij de community project we maken 15 eco wc’s in 18 dagen. (2 dagen urij). De maisons (handwerklui) kunnen geen word engels en du seen hele bedoening am met ze te praten. Zeken gezien het feit dat vrolwen hier alleen capableaijn voor wassen etc. Gisteren nor een temple geweest (tibetaans), leuk! Hoe is het daar en met Tijmen? Het is hier trouwens 30/35 degrees groden.

xxx doonters

From Florine
To – Tanne jans
Hi Lieve Tan, wal leuk dat je matthijs hebt geleerd hoe je de blog gebruikt. Hij heefl alleen blijkboor niet 20’n groce internet knobbel wont hij heft zijn bericht 25 x gestuird horde ik von de blog vrouw. Hij heft du seen indruk achter gelaten bij het kamp. Ik doe als eerste community 25 toiletten bolwen heel leuk en bedonkt voor de lieve woorden. Heb soms nog wel beetie heimwee nor lacrenties moor ben er snel wee rte unden. Heel veel liefs Flo
PS – unouw von de logs zegt Hi en ing je

From – Florine
To – Matthijs

 Mat! Leuk am weer watt e ontvangen! Weel pleizier op Laurentius... Het is hier top, lekker heet en altijd blij met berichties!

xxx Flootie!

From – Daphne Koolen
To – Mam
He Mam, het is hier helemaal geweldig. We hebben een prachtig vitzicht over een mmoi reservoir. Gisteien zyn we naar een prachtige tibetaanse temple geweest. Het werk is heel zwaar maar wel heel gezellig en heel special om alle locale mensen le leren kennen. Even over het andere... It vind 1000 euro heel erg veel als ik dat zelf moet betaleh. Dat is namely een hele ma and of langer werken en ik weet ook niet of ik date r voor over heb want environmental lykt me niet 20 interessant. Volgens my heb je geen visum nodig als je maar 2 of 3 weken naar India gaat. Dus volgens my is dat niet 20’n problem maar is moet Charlottee alleen Kunnen bereiken. Ze heft een Thaus nummer, waarschyniyk op haar fb staan. Kan iemand dat misschien opzoeken? Cokal ga ik zelf naar Thailand dan gen ik hog veel goedkoper vit heft club med nog hele – maal niets van zich laten hoien? Misschten kan nook op myn mail kyken? Ze heelf myn wacht-woorld. In reder geval heel erg bedankt dat je net allemaal hebt witgezocht. Hoe is het verder in Nederland? Slecht weer dus verder. Dog boeiende dingen gebeurd. Ik ben heel benieveud... nou als jullie maar weten dat ik een toptyd heb hier en heel veel leuke nieliwe mensen heb ontmoet! Ik kan over een week weer een blog stuien. Dikke kus aan redeleen en ik mis jullie allemaal! Liefs Daphne

From Sophie Lethier 

To - Maman/Papa

Salut les vieux! Merci pour votre message, ca m’a fait tres plaisir. Ici tout va bien, je m’amuse enormement et j’ai recontre des gens formidables. Je voulais vous savoir que j’ai envi de rester en Inde dix semaines, et voyager avec mes potes d’ici après en Indeet en Asie, genre Vietnam/Thailand, Cambodje etc... Je ne sais pas quoi dire a Tilda et Sarah... Je vais y penser plus evidemment, et je nous y parlerais quand j’aurais mon portable dans 15 jours. Je vous aime beaucoups, gros gros gros bisous  a toute monde! xxx

From - Andrew Richardson

To - All

Hi all, not sure how many of you know of this blog, but here’s a quick summary anyway. Been a good time so far, getting into it and knowing a fair few people. Currently staying in a school building eco-sanitation units and getting cooked lots of Indian food. A struggle at times due to lack of personal and home comfort but aiming to stick it out, and looking forward to giving out lots of stories come April.

And there's also one more message come through from Charlie 1.

From - Sam Anderson

To - Keri-Lou Smith

Happy 21^st birthday hun, hope you have an amazing day and really enjoy your party. Sorry I’m not there to celebrate with you. Hope you are settled back at your Mum’s. Love you and I’ll write again soon. xxx