Getting diggy with Echo 4

On Wednesday we joined Echo 4 at their camp in Basava Pura in the middle of a set of fields where they've also got the task of digging elephant trenches and solar fences to protect the village farmers' crops. They had done a brilliant job of building their camp with a circus tent style shelter as the main hang out.

View of the camp from afar. In Celine's words, 'it looks like a mini Ikea'.

Their living/dining area complete with table and benches. Luxury!

Ross demonstrates the all important chrome tap. Note the handwash gaffer taped to the bamboo, genius.

 Book with the street sign for her bashas that the group have all made.

Weiger shows us around his new pad.

Weiger openly declaring his love for the local biscuits 'Parle-G'.

PM Dan's new address.

  

A lovely new sign for the toilet to stop any unwanted visitors.

Their food for one week.
Photo by Felix.

We caught up with them as they did some digging and then headed over to the local school to work with some of the teachers.

Getting diggy with it are Lauren S, Holly, Sean, Sian, Felix and Book.

Celine, Kieran, Ross, Weiger, Anna, Dan and Lauren B in action.

Becky and Elliott.

Book and Wieger demonstrating the art of good hand washing skills. 

Felix and Holly sharing how they clean their teeth.

A bit of 'Head, shoulders, knees and toes' with Sian and Becky.

Anna and her new pals.

I think Kieran and Elliott are in there somewhere...

Here's an update on how they've been getting on kindly written by Becky Barnes...

Days 1-4

On the first day of our adventure we were met by a barren field with hard ground at 11am and by 7.30pm Echo 4’s basha village was starting to look and feel like home. Some of the team constructed a tarp and bamboo kitchen whilst a few dug the toilet with lots of laughs as when asked “How’s the long drop looking?” Felix replied “it’s not a long drop it’s a short drop - there may be some splash back!” - Don’t worry we’ll dig it a lot deeper following this! Children visited as most of the group teamed up to build 15 bashas and even the Mayor of Basava Pura stopped by for a photo op.

Digging trenches nearby our campsite from the crack of dawn attracted interest throughout the morning. The variety of passersby included a man selling insurance. Wieger wondered if they would insure his hat – he’s lost it by the way! It’s great to mix with the locals but we need to brush up on our Kannada, and we will!

On days 2 and 3 members of the group finished our camp site essentials including a slops pit, burning hole and shower. It was really satisfying for all the group to build our home for the next  three weeks from scratch, all contributing as a team.

We’ve decided to get up at 5am every morning so that we can do the work before it gets too hot. The work is hard but satisfying and by getting it done early, there’s plenty of time to build out campsite or take trips to the local town or refreshing reservoir. 

Bathtime.
Photo by Lauren B.

There’s plenty of banter while we work, including competitions started by PM Dan to get the biggest chunk of soil from one thrust of the digging pole.

It’s great to see people working together and getting to know each other whilst helping a great cause. Although it’s hard to roll out of our bashas each morning, another bonus of getting up early is watching the sun rise. The sunsets here are also stunning.

Photo by Becky.

With clear skies and head torches as the primary source of light, night time brings dazzling star light blanketing the campsite to every edge of the horizon. Dusk also brings the entertainment of our lively night watchman who can sing, dance, and play the bongos – sometimes at 4am – much to all of our delight. Percussions and/or singing beats an alarm clock and is a prime example of the different experiences we get out here. Throwing a bucket of water over ourselves within a tarpaulin structure every couple of days is a great luxury and the sunshine as opposed to the weather back home is fabulous – even though the ladies are having to come to terms with having a cracking t-shirt tan. 

Raleigh tan as modelled by Lauren.

We all face challenges are are meeting new experiences every day. We’re learning, we’re approaching the next nine weeks with excitement and anticipation. So watch this space... 

Brilliant summary there from Becky. Echo 4 have also been busy painting a flag for their camp, just in case anyone passing by couldn't see the bright blue and yellow shelter! We were lucky enough to be there as it went up...

The happy team in height order.
L-R - Wieger, Felix, Elliott, Kieran, Ross, Becky, Lauren S, Sian, Dan (PM), Holly, Lauren B, Anna, Sean, Book and Celine (PM). 

Photo by Dan.

We said farewell to the guys but they've continued working hard and having fun and we'll be back to see them very soon.

Here are the messages we collected from them...

From – Ross Conquest
Hi, Mum and Dad (and Poppy and Lily). Hope you are well. Thanks for the blog update on the football, I know you.re missing having football on in the house. We are all about 6 days into our first phase which is environmental and we are digging elephant trenches to protect the villager’s crops from damage. I am having a brilliant time out here. It is a totally different world out here; it feels as if we are all famous! The heat is topping 30 degrees c everyday and there is not a cloud in the sky. The food is delicious if a bit spicy, but I am loving it. I’ve met loads of great people and we are all having a great laugh together. We visited a school today, which was an unbelievable experience; all the kids went absolutely crazy! Anyway keep an eye on the blog and keep the updates going and say hi to everyone for me!!
Lots of love, Ross

From - Becky Barnes
Hi Mum and Ruth, Thank you for your letter and parcel. I am really well and having an amazing time doing an Environmental project for my first phase. We get up at 5am and are sleeping in bashas in the middle of nowhere. Ruth-I hope you are enjoying Asia, and Mum-I hope you are well. If you comment on the blog it gets passed on to me so if you want to do that it would be lovely. Tell my friends!!!
Love you loads, Becky xxxx

From Becky Barnes

To Gina Rooke, thank you so much for your message – it’s the only one I’ve got!  I am missing you and Australia a lot but having an amazing time here.  I know its going to be a challenge but I’m taking it on!!  I haven’t been inside for over a week and love living under the stars.  I can’t wait to travel with you after.  How are we going to meet? I’m free from 6th April.  Hope you are amazingly well, getting lots of shifts and say hi to Rick, Andy, Amy and Andrew from me. 
Love you loads, Bec xxx

From Elliott Leishman
Hi Mum and Dad, Doing well, can’t really talk, in a rush and get only a few minutes to myself so haven’t written a letter yet. Will talk soon, don’t forget to go to the James Yorkshire gig.
Lots of Love Elliott

From - Felix Balbernie

Hello mother

The trek wasn’t too bad, I’m looking forward to the real one now!  I think I may have underpaid me but I can’t be bothered to make a fuss out of it.  I don’t know if I want to go this year yet, can you tell me what the line up is so far?

Felix

From - Anna Clarke

Hello there parents!  Everything is going really well, set up our own camp and gradually adding to it day by day – we now have a functioning shower and tap believe it or not!  Digging trenches is hard work (my guns are huge) but the banter is amazing and the locals are really helpful.  Just got back from a school and the children actually almost ripped my cheeks off.  Played the hokey cokey – cute.  Hope you’re all well.  Haven’t got packages as yet but its something to look forward to. Miss you fam. 
Lots of love Anna xxxxx

From Wieger van Rinkhuzen

Lieve Mam, Pap en David, zit nu in Bassavapura O.I.D, GPS: N 11 55 308  E 079 20 375.  Basha city is klaar, myn basha heet sandtmannlaan India.  Project is geweldig en zit in een hele leuke groep!!! 21 Feb gaan we terug en in de middag naar Mysore.  Ik skype jullie dan! 
Heel veel liefs Wieger

From – Holly Peel

Dear Mum, Ed and Bunny

I’m having an amazing time in India.  Thank you for sending the flip flops, walking boots are all I’ve had for the last week and a half.  Glad to hear you managed to send you’re second assignment.  The trench digging has been good fun and it’s not particularly hot compared to Greece in the summer.  Hope bunny is enjoying football and planning to stick with it now she’s got the boots.  I won’t be able to get online so you’ll have to show me the song when I get back Ed.  Thanks for getting a Roskilde ticket, who else has been added to the lineup?  Have you heard anything from Parsons yet?  Hope bunny has a good time in Greece.  Have met lots of lovely people, I’ll put a postcard in the mail shortly, might take a while to get there though. 
Miss you lots, Love Holly

  

From - Lauren Bell
To June, Nigel, Emma & Robyn Bell

Thank you for all the blog messages, love getting them!  Am 6 days into the environmental phase, building elephant trenches!  Sleeping in a basha and washing in a bucket but having an amazing time!  Miss you all!  Tell Ali I send my love and wish him a happy birthday! 
Lots of love Lauren xx

From Sian Hilton

Hii Nicky Minaj, Thanks for your first blog message!  Keep sending me updates of home!  I’m in Echo 4 now.  Built my own basha to sleep in and I spend the mornings digging trenches and the rest enjoying the SUN!! I hope home’s good and your new job is as good as you imagined!  Are you still acting like a tree in your acting like?  Send me a letter because I don’t know your address.  Say ‘hello’ to everyone at Chiq’s, miss you ALL. 
Love Siany xxxxx