Loretto School

Hope Foundation Projects

Kolkata Pics

Building Site Pictures

On our way home...

We're there... project finished...

We start our journey home @ 6am in the morning... back in Dublin @ 8.30am on Monday Flight BD121...

See yis all then...

Noel

and some more...

Brenda's blog,,, at long last

Well ladz,,,

A brief note from me, we have had a amazing time in the hymalasas,,, what a trip, would I live there NO, but what a climb....we nearly got to see Everest.....

We did our overnighter on the train last night,, what an experience... we were very busy today as usual, we split the groups into two groups, one set stayed at Sr. Cyril"s for morning and the other went to Hope foundation Hospital, funded by the watch watchers.... and the vice versa after lunch.

I have never seen anything like the hospital that they run for all the poor people in Kalkuta which the government do not care about, theres a surprize about governments... ha ha.. The children were unbeliveable,,,, we do not know how privilaged we are, I personally think all the ladz were moved, and for the surprize I cried.....

We then went to this amazing pizza place and stuffed ourselves... now cannot waddle.!!! We are going shopping tomorrow for the day yipeeeeee, ladz all very excited... then on saturday to a theme and water park in the broad sense of the word....

And on sunday we start the journey with your prize possessions,, and we can assure we have minded them all.... look forward to seeing ye all at the airport....

just to say regards to Jerry, Saoirse, mum dad, our ger. and all the mums and dads, plus everybody who knows me... also Trish the dish, hope you are doing great away... I am sure annie ban is not checking the blog... however... also Siobhan, see you are on line.. hope nerja went well...

xoxoxo brenda.

Back in Kolkata

The Group arrived back in Kolkata for the last three days of the trip today...

All are safe and sound and the money is starting to burn a hole in their pockets... I reckon the Indian shops won't know what hit them tomorrow & Saturday!!!

See yis all soon...

Noel

Last post for a few days...

Well,

Just to check in with everyone...

We've arrived safe and sound in Darjeeling on the overnight train... Was an interesting exeperience I'm sure everyone will agree...

This is a super place and we are staying in a Hotel @ 7000 feet and this is the only bit of luxury we will get... Off trekking in the morning for 2 days and staying in a mountain hut before returning to Kolkata for the final phase...

Talk to you all soon...

Noel

A quick update...

Day 8 working on the site and we're well ahead of target...

We've poured the concrete ring beam, we hadn't banked on doing this until tomorrow... We have one day to go and out of the kindness of my heart I reckon it will be a half day... We will finish off two brick partition walls in the toilets and that will be it from our end of the house. The work will however continue after we leave. There is some more brickwork to be done over the beam ant the roof will need to be poured as well as plumbing and electricity... This will be finished in the next month or so (everything is so much slower in India), the fact that payment awaits the contractor might hurry them along though!!!

We are expecting a party in the village tomorrow with a campfire to give the locals a chance to thank all the Venture Scouts for the work they have done for them.

Everyone is looking forward to downing tools and having a more of a relaxing time. And I can confirm that it has been well earned...

Talk soon..

Noel

Joan says

Second last day on the building site and we’ve passed our target. We filled in the shutters with concrete today. Was one of the hardest days work so far, especially for the boys, lifting the heavy concrete up to the wire molding, still managed to finish it through the first lot of monsoon rain we’ve got while working. The locals got a good laugh out of us singing and dancing to singing in the rain..
We’ve been keeping busy over the last few days between teaching the children in the school in the afternoon, pictionary, brick lines, card games, learning to cook with the brothers, getting lifts down to the shop on one of the locals customized motorbike and getting tours of the local village and tonight we’re cooking an Irish dinner for all the people who’ve been looking after us here before we head off to Darjeeling on Saturday for some trekking.

Love you mammy

Talk chas all soon from Darjeeling

Joan aka Jezebel

Mo's words of wisdom

Hello there,

Its Maurizio here, just letting you know I’m having a great time, not really missing home at all, enjoying most of the things here and looking forward to going to Darjeeling on Saturday, only two days left on the work side of things and its coming along nicely. All of the brick work is complete and all that’s left to do is the concrete reinforcements.
Sooooooooooooo that’s me done talk to you later.

Mo

Triona's thoughts

Well Two weeks down and one to go. Absolutely can’t wait to come home. Well to day wasn’t so bad, a lot of bricks were passed today …. 3000 bricks to be exact. Was the last brick line today so thank god for that. Was finished early today which everyone loved …. All the lads went to the shop and got a lift off one of the locals motorbike with a board attached to it. Cant wait for tomorrow: D …. IRISH DAY! So the leaders are cooking us a lovely Irish dinner. Missing everyone at home ….. Can’t wait to see you’se all at he airport with your big banner A.K.A.. Amy, Niamh and Saoirse.
The sickness here is dying down today only 4 sick today so not to bad. Everyone’s healthy. Counting down the days till I’m on that plane home. Miss you sooo much Mam and Dad love you so much. I’ll have a nice birthday pressie for you. Tell everyone at home I say hey and that I missed them so much. See you in a week.
Love Caitriona.

Amy's words

Hey people,

Just sitting in our tent house thing writing on this blog. We’re nearly finished building the school whoop. It’s been a tough two weeks but it has been fun. We had the weekend off and on Saturday we went to an old reservoir and swam in a lake it was sooo much fun. We were doing flips off a rock and getting on peoples shoulders (but fell down) lol it was a really good day. Then on Sunday the lads played a football match against the Indian people of course we won. We’re well ahead of schedule so today we got a half day. I was a little sick but much better now. Its way warmer here than in kolkatta. Today we all picked out superpowers (we are such nerds) but it was fun, Ben drew a picture of me as Venom/the Riddler its so cool looking. Tomorrow we start with the concrete for the ceiling of the school so it going to be a lot of work but its only two day and then were moving onto Darjeeling. Were doing a trek there so that should be fun fun fun. Yesterday I was with the small children in the school teaching them colors, shapes and number it was fun. I’m excited about going back to Kolkatta to do some shopping and a little excited about going home but I’m having lots of fun here.
I’ll write again soon bye.
Love ya Mam and dad (happy birthday David if I don’t get to ring ya)

Love Amy xoxox

Status report august 3rd/8th/2010

lost two more today ........... may have been food poisining.......... people starting to belive...........we won;t make it home ......... leaders took toilet paper away ......... it got messy.......several burnt to crisp ....... food supplies running low ....... emergency style food rationing .... for the love of god get us out of here


ps how is rovers getting on ??

from conor and gav

From Sarah...

Hello!

Well we're half way finished and still no fatalities, thank god! Though a few of us have somehow managed to catch a cold, myself included. The school has really taken shape and we're all looking forward to finishing the builiding, who knew brick laying in 40degree heat was such hard work?! Most of us have taken turns teaching english to the students in the school, its been very enjoyable and its great to see them progress..they might even be making full sentences soon!

All in all im having a excellent time, but i do miss my home comforts! Oh, and congrats to my Dad on learning how to post a comment on the blog, i am VERY impressed!

Cyas soon!
Sarah xxx

Thougts from Dean...

Hi Mam, Dad & Sabrina,

How are you, we are all fine, we are near the end of the build now, we have all the bricks up now and we have started the steel renforcements for the roof of the school.

The accomadation is great we have lights and aircondition.I havent got sick or get sunburn yet so dont worry and enjoy your holidays.

Talk to you soon.

Dean

A Message From Keith

Hi everyone in Ireland following the blog,

Masla Masla (Cement Cement), will hopefully be the last words we hear as the last of the brick work is being finished today on site, but we are not finished yet as we still have to put in the base of the roof, but sprits are still high, the weather is still hot and everyday is an experience over here.

talk to you all soon,

Keith

Rebecca (the sickie)

hey everyone at home.....if youve read jeffs blog then you no we've had some sicknesses going around....delhi belly. im not too well at the moment and havent worked on the site for 2 days which is kind of boring....theres not much you can do in rural india ha :) but on a happier note! today the last bricks will be laid....so we are really making great progress...after that it will be concrete line for all! not the most exciting thing ever but it has to be done i guess :) well thats all from me for now....just a few shout outs to alisons mam and dad she loves you <3 hi to everyone who knows brenda! hi to everyone who knows me,rebecca.....and mam could you by any chance bring a chicken fillet roll with you to the airport when you collect me :)

A note from Jeff...

Dear Westerners,

This message is not to tell you of the general experiences of India, it is however, going to tell you of the minor inconvenience that most of us are suffering. It's day 12 and already fatigue is kicking in. The work is strenuous enough by itself but then you add extreme heat, that's when it really become tough. After a couple of days it becomes very hard on the body, mind and soul. The weekend, however, was extremely uplifting. It was a break from all the hard work and a chance to relax. Just what everybody needed.

Sickness is the hardest part by far. Not everyone is suffering from it but those who are or have done know just how bad it can be. I myself have suffered from the infamous 'Delhi belly'. It lasts about 24 hours ans consists of vomiting and chronic diarrhea. It takes every last ounce of energy out of your body and it takes about a day to regain your strength. Moral is sucked out of you but is easily fixed by the support of your leaders, friends and especially Brenda...

The rarest of problems are physical injuries . Apart from the odd bit of sunburn, very few people have had this problem. and injuries sustained so far are not serious and at the most restrain you from working for a day or two. All we've had is a sprained ankle, a decapitated finger nail and ear aches...

I apologize if you find any of this upsetting but I feel it needs to be said. There's no doubt that this is the best experience of our lives so far but people need to know it's not all fun and games. It's harder than anyone expected and I have yet to meet the person who does not feel the effect of this country but this adds to the experience and makes it unforgettable. It may be hard but as Thomas Paine said "things we obtain easily we esteem lightly" and he's right and as far as I'm concerned , I Wouldn't change a thing.

India Experiences - Stevie & Sinead

Probably the weirdest and most different country, nothing at home can compare to the sights, sounds and smells, an incredible country none the less. They don't lie on the adds by calling it incredible India. Being white in India is strange and intimidating with people pulling over in their cars just to stare. There is no such thing as a multicultural society on this side of the world. But you grow accustomed to this way of life, you have respect and understanding for the people here. They are all so poor but yet so happy and accepting. In different parts of the country it feels like different decades from the ultramodern technology in the rich parts of Kolkata to the mud shacks from the 1700s in Mohammad Bazaar.

We are so lucky to see these parts of India that regular tourists would never get to see. We have seen the real India, the real people living in the heart of India, where a white person may not have been for decades. Seeing the way people live over here has been a real eye opener to how different people live. Culture and tradition play a big part in Indian life while people back home seem to barely spare a moment to thing about Irish culture and tradition.

The meetings we took part in at home before we travelled to make us aware of what to expect really didn't prepare us for it, the way of life seems shocking to the civilized people of the western world while it as seen as the 'norm' over here.

The sights in India are amazing, very difficult to explain in words, from the breath taking scenery to the slums and poverty in Kolkata.

We all know this experience will stay with us forever!!!

A note from Rob...

4 days of work left now. Everyone is tired and feeling the strain but I think everyone of us is enjoying our time here in Mohammad Bizzar. I for one find the village we're in to be a very beautiful place, the people are all really nice and try their hardest to accommodate for us. They enjoy having us here too I think. I've yet to hear a single person complain about our situation, including the work, so that has to be a good thing!

Aside from the work, we've been getting involved in the community through the Hope Foundation. Last week a number of the ventures gave a hand with teaching the young kids in the village, despite the language barrier it seems to be a great success. Only yesterday the village and the Hope Foundation organised a football tournament for the group. We put together two teams to play against the local villagers and the local high school team. Needless to say the high school team were very good and beat us 4-2, however our second team beat the villagers putting us into the final against the Indian team. The match was tiring yet we still managed to play well in the heat, ending in a draw the game went to penalties. Thanks to the efforts of all the lads and girls who played, not to forget our goalkeeper Robyn, we won on penalties. After the match an award ceremony was held in which Sprout received top goalscorer and the group were given a trophy. All in all I think it was a good day had by all, a day we probably won't forget nor the hundreds of local villagers who turned up to watch the spectacle, for both players and supporters. As if in celebration for dinner we got to have fish and chips which was a nice surprise.

Well this all from me, thanks.

Rob

Operation Hope - Venture Scouts Champions of the World

Well,

Just finished the International soccer tournament and guess what... Ireland won... After two very intense games it was time for the final... Scouting Ireland all stars vs Indias finest... After full time the game was tied at 3 -3 and even after extra time a winner could not be announced!!! It was penos... After a very tense shootout Ireland won 3 - 0!!! :o)

The game was made even more magical by the hundreds of locals that turned out to watch the spectacle and the singing in both English & Bengali...

This was the perfect end to a great weekend off that saw us relaxing somewhat and swimming in a reservoir...

Back to work tomorrow for our last week on the building site... Nearly there!!!

Words from Achille

So far so good I'm glad to report!! Every one's having a great time but still working really hard in the hot and humid weather. The facilities that have been provided are top notch. We have proper showers, western toilets, excellent sleeping quarters and the staff are great!!!

Everyday we have a flock of local fans that watch us work... The circus has truly come to town. They have no grasp of English (except for Hello and Cement) but we're all getting on grand. The main tasks on site are brick transportation, brick laying and cement mixing, all of which are uniquely demanding!!

Water consumption is of the highest importance and everyone carries around a water bottle. Factor 50 sunscreen is also being used due to the baking sun!! So everyone is been taken care of you'll be glad to hear & the food is excellent. We have a wide variety of Indian cuisine...

Hello to everyone back home... I love you all!!!

A note from Rebecca & Ellen

Hey everyone in Ireland!!!

Just an update on what's been happening for the past couple of days on the building site. The weather is really hot and some of us have sunburn!! :( Shane says send shovels!!!

MIxing cement is sooo hard!! our favourite job on site is brick laying. it's really fun talking to the locals, most have no idea what you're saying, so say anything with a smile and they just smile back!!!

Ellen wants to say hi to everyone back home. Rebecca wants to say Happy Birthday to Deco (ha ha you're so old!!) and hey mam, dad, Debbie, Lauren & everyone!!!

A message from Ciaran & Alison

Today wasn’t as bad as yesterday, but it was hotter. The fifty locals that come to watch us build were kept at the gate by a man with a stick, instead of surrounding us on the site yesterday. Everywhere we go people stare at us and take pictures, we are the biggest thing to happen in this town, apparently by the end of the week the other villages will come to watch us too. We weren’t expecting much here but the bamboo huts are huge and are provided with fans, beds and lights. The toilets and showers are nearly better than the ones we got in Calcutta. Threes so many animals on site too, like goats, chickens, dogs, cows. The best thing we’ve seen are the fireflies! Me and Ciaran want to say a hello to our families and Bunty, I’m missing you loads mam lots of love Alison, I miss you bed and beef love Ciaran.

A message from Killian

Hey everybody,

Second day on the building site and feeling grand. We have to mix cement, carry bricks and then lay the bricks for about 7 hours a day. I think that carrying the bricks in the brick line is the most boring thing ever, just standing in a line passing bricks for an hour while you are in the blistering heat. Other than that it is grand, the food here is amazing the snack after work and a cup of coffee is by far the best part of the day.

Hi

Hey everyone,

Just a quick note to say everything is gong well...

Thanks to Linda for posting for us last night... I now have broadband of sorts!!! (cough!!)

The V's are doing a great job with the building and have even started working as teachers today in their spare time!!!

I would like to say a special thanks to Joe Bergins mother that rang me at 3.30 am to say hello!!! I think I need to start bringing leaders parents to the information evenings to let them know only to ring in an emergancy!! :) but Yvonne, if you're reading this, it was great to hear your voice!!!

The V's will post again very soon..

TTYL

Noel

P.S.

Hi to Katie, Francy and Donna May...

A quick update...

Hi all
Well after our first full days working, everything is going really well. Our bamboo accommodation has surpassed all our expectations. The heat is unreal, over 40 degrees at some points!!
Everyone is doing the best they can and the team is working really well together.

Noel

This message came via text message and Noel asked me to post for him on the blog as there is limited net access.

Linda

Off to the Site

Well We're just about to leave for the Site... All packed and ready to go...

The Site is located in a very remote area so mobile coverage may be patchy... and I'm not too sure about the internet access...

The Broadband so far has been slow so we are finding it difficult to add pictures, will try again when I can but you may just habe to wait to see all the magic moments when we get home!!!

Everyone is well and the team is palying a blinder... You should all be very proud of the Venture Scouts.

Talk soon

Noel

From Shannon

Hey everyone,

India has been amazing so far and we're all enjoying it!

Yesterday the girls done some shopping and bought some Salwars, the shopping over here is so cheap! then we got down to work and split in to four groups and painted different facilities. The more Buildings we go to the more everyone is starting to realise how lucky we all are at home!

The kids around here have nothing and are so happy! its heart-breaking! They've taught us some new games and songs, There pretty cool :) Today we split in to groups and went to two different orphanages, They both performed shows and sung and danced for us. After we joined in and sang a song for them, definitely needed more prep! The all girls orphanage I was at is definitely best we've seen so far!

So far we haven't came across any 'mad' animals or insects, just the usual RATS! There's some some scary looking cats that are around that aren't doing there job anyway! The lady cat had kittens the other day they are cuteee!

Tomorrow we're off to start building! 6 hours on a bus! I cant think of any where better to catch a few Z's.

Byee,

Shannon x

From Amy

hey everyone :)

its amy .... well its my third day here (could be my forth) and were having a great
time . The weather is seriously hoooot! sweat just rolls off ya but you get use to it.
We visited a number of places during the stay and heard some horrific facts. The
children at the school were staying at are all really nice and cheerful. They have
so much energy they keep you on your feet. Today we visited a rehab place for boys
and a home for boys, it was so much fun they put on a show and then we danced with
them. We were also given 7UP!!!! YUM. Tomorrow were off to the building site for the
next 2 weeks. We went shopping and I got some prezzies for people :) Yesterday we
were painting different buildings and after we got pizza it was tasty. Today Callum
was running an tripped and broke his glasses it was so funny. John Melvin came
running at me with the lens screaming hide it! I couldn't stop laughing. We were
walking through the markets an all the stall people started screaming argggh to get
our attention so everyone I was with including me started screaming arghh in the
streets and everyone was laughing lol. We spent about an hour today looking for an
adidas shop and when we found it we started shouting yayyy and all the people in the
street(vender's) started joining in an clapping a little lol.

Well I best be off now :) going back to the school to see the children.

talk to you all soon, love you mam and dad,

amy xxx

Contact Numbers

Hi,

For emergencies, we can be contacted on the following number...

0091 9007600483

Noel

Thoughts from Sarah..

Hey Everybody!

Well its day 3 in the big Indian house and we're all still alive and well! We've
done a lot of visiting around the Hope Foundation care homes and various facilities
and have heard some shocking stories and facts, but i think all of us would agree
that they do amazing work and the children of India would have a very different life
without them! The girls got a chance to visit a shopping arcade today and we all got
traditional Indian outfits to wear..the trousers are HUGE! We were then split into
groups to go painting! Myself and 5 of the others painted a mother and child home,
which is run by the Hope foundation. There were four rooms to be done and after some
issues with the masking tape everything turned out looking great! We'll be paying a
visit to good aul Mother Theresas house tomorrow.

Right.. I'm off to shower now..and by shower i mean throw a bucket of cold water over
my head..



Sarah

xxx

We're Here

Namaste...

Well... For those following us...

We all arrived safe and sound...

Everyone is in good spirits & all have been getting to know the children in the Loretto School that we are staying in... You would have to be here to see it for yourself to comprehend the magic that is happening...

We visited some of the Hope Projects today & that really hit home hard the true reality...

Tomorrow we have four Hope Centres to paint... It will be a busy day, but we've have enlisted extra volunteer help so we will get it finished...

Thanks for all the good luck messages so far...

Noel

Nearly There

Well all the preperations are complete & we're almost on the way.

We fly out on Wednesday 21st July...

Stay tuned for updates as it happens....

Donation to The Hope Foundation

On Friday 9th July some members of the Operation Hope Team met up with Maureen Forrest, Director of the Hope Foundation and JP O'Sullivan, Projects Manager to present them with a donation of €30000. The money has been raised by the Venture Scouts of Dublinia Scout County that are members of the Operation Hope Team. Although only a fraction of the project was represented at this presentation, the rest of the team will be in Kolkata next week to get to work on the painting project and of course the main project of the School extension and new building. Here the rest of the team will get to see first hand and get involved in the Hope Foundations projects on the ground.

President McAleese gives Operation Hope the ‘Thumbs Up’...

On Tuesday 16^th February 2010, the team from ‘Operation Hope’ were privileged to be invited to meet the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese to discuss their project.

After meeting in the Mount Argus Den for the first draft of the team splits for the project, the team headed to ‘The Park’.

The Group gathered in the State Reception Room, anxiously awaiting the entrance of the President. While we were waiting, we were all put at ease by the Presidents staff.

The President was greeted with a round of applause. Mrs McAleese immediately put the group at ease with her informal and personable manner. She welcomed everyone to the Aras and congratulated the group on the “excellent and inspirational work” they were undertaking. She spoke of the importance of the work and told the group they would reap the rewards tenfold. Following this, the President made her way around room greeting everyone individually and sharing a moment with everyone.

Following the introductions, the Group presented the President with a hand carved campsite scene. She thanked the group for their kindness and joked that she hoped our campsite in India would be as neat and the tent pegs fixed as securely.

After the official photographs, the group were treated to a reception and the President joined us for tea and mingled with everyone in the group, sharing stories and discussing the work the Venture Scouts were a part of. Any nervousness was well and truly gone at this stage thanks to the Presidents relaxed and reassuring manner.

Following the reception with Mrs McAleese, the group was given a very interesting tour of the main rooms of the Áras an Uachtaráin. This proved to be very interesting but the highlight of this was definitely when one of the Venture Scouts, Jeff, was given the opportunity to play the Presidents Steinway Piano, something he did very well indeed.

Given the day that was in it, when the tour was finished it was time to head off for some well deserved pancakes...