Phase 3 - India Romeo 4

Namaskara from IR4!

We are on our third and final phase now and really giving it our all.  The main focus at this stage has been construction and we have steamed ahead, completing most of the structures in record time with exemplary vigor-we are all master packers now! We have provided the beneficiaries with 11 azolla pits, 10 vermi-composts, 4 cow sheds and renovated 13 sheds, all of which has been diligently organized by the construction committees chair. To make sure the recipients are using their structures correctly it was organized by our projects partners MYRADA that they would visit some local farmers who had been using their structures correctly and been benefiting hugely, it was a great success and left the villagers feeling hugely enthused.

(A cow shed renovation)

Another ongoing part of the project is awareness raising which has been another success, providing some information to local ladies on the dangers of open defecation as well as approaching more surrounding hamlets with a view to delivering more basic information on hand washing and the benefits of general hygiene.  Apart from a sanitation approach we have also been using our MYRADA training to work on alerting famers to the dangers of pesticide usage and the ways in which they can maximize their profits through positive integrated farming development practices.  Throughout this we have been lucky enough to have the great support of the village leaders of Boothalapuram and prominent members who have been invaluable in getting the message we are trying to spread across.

We have also had a wonderful accomplishment in completing our objectives for the vet and health camps, holding one greatly attended health camp last phase along with two vet camps, and completing our final vet event in Boothalapuram at the start of this phase, in total reaching animals 232 for de-worming and general aliments overall.

Throughout the project we have made a concerted effort to ensure we build a strong relationship with our village, through general interactions but also by trying to make sure we consider and include them in any action we take.  One of the ways this has been possible is through construction, by working alongside the recipients to create something that will benefit them has such a positive impact on how we are perceived within the village, also means our chai and home-made snack intake has increased hugely but we are not complaining!  Another great way we have found to build relationships is through instigating home visits for each member of the team, we have all had various different experiences from learning to cook traditional Indian cuisine to dressing in saris, all of which we and our gracious hosts enjoyed immensely.  Since being here we have had quite a bit of exposure to Hindu religion which has been intriguing for all of us as this is a religion most of us knew little about, but we have also had the chance to experience Christianity in an Indian setting when we were kindly invited to attend a local church on Palm Sunday.  There were some wonderful palm crosses made by children of the congregation and the pastor also served us a delicious lunch, this was a welcome break from our busy construction schedule and provided an insight into how a different culture practices a familiar religion.

We are now looking forward to getting on with our secondary project which is to be comprised of building burning pits for the locals to dispose of their waste and make some repairs to the school toilet facilities.

We are all having a great time here but equally looking forward to seeing friends and family very soon.

Much love, for the last time from India. IR4 x X x.