One! International Information

VOLUNTEER EXTRAORDINARY SHARES HER STORY

2012-01-30T13:50:00.000-07:00

One! International had it's 4rth Annual Gala Celebration on Saturday January 28, 2012. It was a smashing success and I will probably write further about it.

However, at this time I want to share the contents of a speech that our extraordinary Canadian volunteer Julie shared with the crowd of over 400 people who attended the Gala.

                  Hello. My name is Julie Hawkins and, I AM a volunteer!

• I became actively involved with One! International following my own personal adventure to India in 2005.

• About four weeks after my return from India, I attended a fundraising event for One!. At the time, I was still trying to make sense of the sights, sounds and people I encountered in India and was trying to find my place back home.

• This adventure changed me and challenged me. It changed who I was - how I felt about me and I was questioning - why was I lucky enough to be so fortunate with this life. The spiritual adventure was rapidly unfolding and I endeavoured to find the answers to all my questions.

• At the fundraiser, I felt an immediate connection. Someone else understood what my eyes saw, how emotionally raw I was and seemed to have some answers to the questions I was asking. I knew then, that this extraordinary young woman from Sherwood Park, was someone that I wanted to get to know better. So I signed up to be a volunteer. I signed up, for a challenge.

• Two years later, I was asked to take the position as Manager of Programs and Events. I took this role, very seriously.

• I actually think Tania and Marilyn were not quite sure what to do with me at times because of my never ending questions about process, policies, terms of reference, organizational structure, etc.

• But before long, I found that I started to feel less like a volunteer and more like this was MY organization.

• I am proud and honoured to be invited into this One! family. So I moved forward doing what I felt needed to be done.

• Volunteering to me, means taking the time to do something – anything, with good intentions and the hope that it will make a difference. I believe that by nature humans have desires to make a meaningful impact on the world around them. I believe it is just a part of who we are.

• One! survives, quite simply, because of our volunteers. Whatever reason a person offers his or her time, each moment spent together helping is a moment that holds great value, and in return, we receive huge personal rewards. One step at a time.

• One! reaps those rewards, tenfold. I personally feel incredibly fortunate to be working with a team of such determined, passionately dedicated, fiercely loyal and compassionate people.

• It was important to me that our volunteers each had a role that they could call their own. To allow their self-worth to flourish, their pride to bloom and for them to know, that they were making a difference.

• We did this by establishing a Steering Committee; the objective is to ensure all operational activities align with One`s vision, mission and value statements. We assist in identifying strategic level issues and risks and ensure that our projects and fundraisers achieve their goals.

• We also established working groups like the Priorities and Strategic Management Group – with that title, you just know that’s a fun group!! They have the dubious task of helping One! Canada: secure our longevity by helping us with policies to minimize our risks, give strategic direction, establish realistic priorities, and more importantly, make sure we stay on track at a reasonable rate of growth, so we don’t compromise the future of One!.

• We also established a Gala Planning team. This is our fourth Gala and each year we become even more successful. It takes an extraordinary team, a lot of time, a lot of ideas and lot of coffee at 1912 Block where we meet regularly.

• Quite simply - My team rocks!!! I feel like the mother hen who is incredibly proud of all her little chicks!

• We are our own little dysfunctional family, with a few cracks around the edges…but you know what, it works. And it works because we all have the exact same goal in mind and that is to help our children.

• We are all - in this for the long haul - and - for the future of One! which looks really bright!

• You can’t help but feel incredibly humbled being around such amazing people, true ambassadors of One! International. It truly is a privilege.

        In closing I would like to share this inspirational quote about volunteering.

                              We do not choose to be born.

                              We do not choose our parents.

                              Or our times, or country of birth,

                              Or the circumstances of our upbringing.

                              We do not—most of us—choose to die

                              But within all this realm of choicelessness

                              We do choose how we shall live

                              Courageously or in cowardice - Honourably or dishonourably

                              With purpose or adrift.

                              We decide what is important and what is trivial.

                              What makes us significant is what we do.

                              Or refuse to do.

                              We decide and we choose.

                              And so we give definition to ourselves.

                                                                                    By Joseph Epstein

THANK YOU

A BIT OF THIS & A BIT OF THAT

2011-12-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

STORIES OF HOPE

I am actually going to talk about other people besides Kokila this time, but I will start with Kokila.

KOKILA

As most of you know, Kokila was discharged from hospital on November 11, 2011. After much opposition, followed by negotiation, the landlord finally agreed to allow Kokila to stay at the school for some time in order that infection be kept to a minimum, or not at all. Kokila only stayed at the school for about one week, but I'm sure it helped to have a very clean environment for that period of time.

Kokila is now at home and doing quite well. The only problem has been some infection in one of her ears. Today she was having the second day surgery to drain the infection. Hopefully this will be all she needs.

At the end of November Kokila and Kanchen her mother spoke at the Annual concert which was attended by members of almost all the families from both schools. Kanchen spoke from the heart. She thanked everyone for saving her daughter - the early intervention by Tania and the staff to get Kokila into a good burn hospital, and the incredible world wide support from the larger One! family to pay for the services Kokila required. She acknowledges that her daughter probably would not have survived without this help. Apparently there wasn't a dry eye in the room.

Kokila is attending school sporadically and has started back into her studies.

However, the challenge now is the "princess" complex she has developed as a result of all the attention she has received over the last two months. She does a fair amount of whining and is being a little oppositional.

In order for the skin grafts to be as flexible as possible and give her as much mobility as possible, Kokila needs to do exercises. We are sure the exercises cause some discomfort and perhaps even some pain. But they are necessary and she is not cooperating with the routine. The trick now will be coming up with some realistic reward regime for her.

Her progress has been remarkable, and I'm sure this latest "bump in the road" will be navigated successfully.

SANKRISH

This is a little boy who did not have a proper anus. The condition was causing him a great deal of discomfort, and his nutrition was also greatly affected.

Sankrish had his surgery in the spring and is doing very well. Everything is working as it should and his health has improved.
The surgery was done for free; the medicines were covered by One!

ANKITA
Ankita is a little girl about 10 years of age who had a hole in her heart.

The family knew about the hole, but apparently the operation can not be done too young.

By January of 2011 Ankita's asthma was getting progressively worse, and by March she could only walk about 15 minutes before she was in pain. The doctors started doing the tests and talking about doing the surgery, but told the mother the costs would be in the thousands of dollars.
This was just after Sankrish had his operation, so Ankita's mother had some idea of were to go and what to do. Ankita's mother knew One! had helped with the costs for Sankrish, and that we probably wouldn't be able to pay very much at this time.

Ankita's mother is a single mother, but we are incredibly proud of what she accomplished for her daughter.

Mother had to start with getting an affidavit regarding the birth of Ankita (no birth certificate). She had to prove her family was below the poverty/ration level in order for the costs of the operation to be waived. She went to about 10 different offices over a period of 25 days. In early May the approval was given for the operation and Ankita was admitted to hospital (emergency by this point) on May 13, 2011.
Mom had to arrange for 5 blood donations before the surgery could be done.

Finally on July 17, 2011 Ankita had her surgery.

One week after the surgery Ankita was back at school. She is fine and there are no complications. The costs were minimal, a few hundred dollars instead of a few thousand dollars.

Congratulations to Ankita and her mother.

SOHAIL

This is a little boy who was born with some sort of deficiency in his leg which causes poor balance, and one leg seemingly shorter than the other. His system needs to be built up before any surgery can be done. Vitamins are being provided, and of course good meals each day.

RAMESH

We have discovered that Ramesh has Epilepsy.

On July 21 he had what we think was his third 'attack', but this time it was a full on epileptic seizure which left him unconscious.

He is now on medication and the condition should be able to be monitored.

AORTI ( or DeeBee for short)

This little baby - about three months of age was 1.9 Kilos when she was weighed by the One! staff a couple of weeks age.

One of the mothers at our school brought the baby to the school as she was very concerned and thought she would die. Everyone agreed that death was probably imminent. We have had this experience before, and one such baby was one of the impetus moments for the founding of One! International.

The baby's mother sits on the side of the road selling/begging. She did not seem to understand that her baby was dying and needed to get nourishment. ("It's okay, she just sleeps a lot.") The older siblings are also malnourished and sickly.

During the last couple of weeks, One! staff pick the baby up on their way to school. She is being fed and loved - carried by someone at most times.

Apparently Tania knows that DeeBee's urinary track is working fine.

DeeBee is starting to thrive. Isn't it amazing what a little food and love will do.

She is now 3 Kilos; she is alert; she is looking around; she is starting to respond to people. WOW

One! International is saving lives.

One! International is giving children longer lives.

One! International is helping families to care for their children as they want to.

KOKILA IS HOME - ALMOST

2011-11-19T20:33:00.000-07:00

I am sure all of you have been waiting for this update from Tania.

You will be pleased to see how well "our girl" is looking and doing.

Once again - please forgive me for sounding like a broken record - THANK YOU

We have raised almost $12,000 Can for Kokila's treatment and hospital stay.

The total expenditures to date have been close to $16,000.

We will be changing the www.CanadaHelps.org fund designation from " Kokila Emergency Fund" to "Emergency Medical Relief Fund". Our plan will be to use any money donated to this new fund to cover the shortfall for Kokila's expenses, and subsequently for any life threatening medical emergencies for One! clients.

I truly do not know what we would have been able to provide for Kokila without the tremendous support from all of our One! friends.

Marilyn

Nov 11, 2011 Tania (mom#2) Kokila, Kanchen (mom#1), and Doctor before leaving the hospital.

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Tuesday, November 1, 2011 to Thursday, November 3, 2011 (Day 31)

No news to report on these days. Kokila’s mood was steadily better and better and the second grafting went well.

~~~

Friday, November 4, 2011 (Day 32)

Another big day as we were to find out how the second set of skin grafting set. I had a quick visit in the morning, in which I witnessed the doctor screaming at an intern who ‘followed him around’ and was ‘trying to look hard-working’ rather than just being hard-working. He reminded me of myself – I have had that exact same fight before.

He stole a few minutes to talk to me about Kokila's current situation and reaffirmed that he was still planning to discharge her on Monday but was worried about whether she would be ready or not to go home to the slums. It was nice to hear that he understood Kokila’s home life and that it factored into his decisions.

I left before the dressing was done, but he promised to message when it was over and tell me what percent the grafting set.

He forgot to message, but we hoped that no news was good news.

~~~

Saturday, November 5, 2011 (Day 33)

I had a great little visit with Kokila on Saturday. She was in a great mood and was shocked when I told her that she would likely be going home early next week. The smile on her face made everything worthwhile.

~~~

Monday, November 7, 2011 (Day 35)

Kokila`s dressings were changed again on Monday. As it was Id (Muslim holiday), I didn't`t go to the hospital, so the doctor called. He was happy about how Kokila was doing except for the back of her neck which didn't`t take 100% and a pressure ulcer which had formed on the back of her head from lying down and moving minimally for the month. He asked if there was a safe and clean place for her to go. I said that I could probably arrange something, but only for a week. He thought that would be enough and so we discussed discharge on Wednesday.

~~~

Wednesday, November 9, 2011 (Day 37)

Juniper (Canadian Nurse) and I went to see Kokila and talk to the doctor about the pending discharge. He was still worried about the pressure ulcer on the back of her skull but said that if he drained it and covered it with a flap then it would be ok for her to go somewhere clean. He misunderstood our conversation on the phone and thought that I didn't have a clean place for her to stay. He thought that I asked for her to stay in the hospital for one more week. When I told we could arrange a place for a week, he was rather excited. He said he would do what he needed to do on Thursday and then Kokila could be discharged on Friday. We were all very excited.

Once again, Kanchan gave a couple Rupees to a beggar lady on the way home. Life never ceases to amaze.

Vinita asked permission from the school landlord for Kokila to stay – not that permission was needed, but out of respect. He wasn't in, but his wife seemed to think that it wouldn't be a problem.

She was wrong. He came storming into the school fifteen minutes before we were to leave and spoke with Vinita. He said “No! There are too many risks involved.” Vinita tried to find out what the ‘risks’ were. He said “No-one could tell, things could happen from any direction.” Vinita then tried to alleviate all risks that she could think of: Kokila would not try to claim the place as her own (his biggest fear), Kokila was not in a condition that she would die, there would not be many people around visiting – we would ensure it. No matter what she said, he was scared of the imaginary ‘risks’ – that he couldn't put into words. At this point he tried to give her money for a hotel or an apartment for Kokila for the week – a whopping Rs. 1000. Vinita was very confused by this and called me in. It didn't take long to realize that he wasn't going to change his mind and that the only card I had to play was sadness (slightly contrived but 90% real). He continued to talk to Vinita and then finally said to me that I shouldn't be upset. I said that I was not angry, but sad. He was treating it like a business relationship which is not something I could understand. I always treated it like a family relationship and over the last 8 years worked hard at honouring the relationship. As we have helped him over the years, we have only ever asked for a couple favours and that he couldn't help us in this dire situation made me sad.

He tried to convince me that I shouldn't be sad and once again offered money. I repeated that I could be disappointed, and that it wouldn't affect his decision. We would respect his decision and follow it. He said that he would ask around the area and try to get us a place to keep Kokila.

Roadblock.

Through the night, the only answer I could find was the volunteer apartment, but that didn't seem fair on them.

~~~

Thursday, November 10, 2011 (Day 38)

On the walk to school in the morning, volunteers Juniper and Honey were more than ready to adjust for a week to give Kokila a safe home to stay in. Above and beyond – volunteers are amazing.

We prepared for Kokila’s arrival by emptying out the Step 9 room for her to be able to sit in while she was at the school during the day. We bought her some nightgowns and were generally a flitter with little things as we thought of them. On the way home, we passed the Landlord. Vinita asked him if he managed to find a place to which he answered “It is difficult”. Yeah, no sh*&$! He then offered for Josh and I to live in his house (a spare room he had on the roof) so that Kokila and Kanchan could stay in my house. Yeah, that makes sense, how bizarre. We kindly said no thank you and that we would keep Kokila with us and walked away.

As I was about to tell the rest of the volunteers of the unfortunate news, the landlord called. He said “I guess you can keep your patient at the school.” I kept it short and said thank you and that I would be at the school in the morning to discuss it.

The volunteers were happy but immediately took on the role of giving Kokila support over the weekend. They really are amazing.

A quick message exchanged with the doctor, his procedure of covering the pressure ulcer went well and yes, he would start the discharge procedures in the morning and asked us to arrive at 12.

~~~

Friday, November 11, 2011 (Day 39)

A hectic morning started with a quick exchange with the landlord. He said, “Please let this be the last time.” I agreed and said thank you without any emotion. Who knows what consequence this will have on the relationship and the agreement renewal when that time comes – oh well, not to be dealt with now.

We started by bleaching the Step 9 room and making sure it was rat, ant and dust free. Then we continued on to the TV room and all the rooms in between. As the gang was mobilized in doing this, Juniper, Vikas and I left for the hospital – and of course we met with crazy traffic. Isn't that always the way! In the end, it didn't matter as they were still calculating the final bill. I took a deep breath before I looked at it and my fears were confirmed, it was higher than initially estimated. $14,400.

On my way up from paying the bill, the doctor was waiting for me in the lobby of the Burn Unit. He took me in to see the lady that gave up her bed for Kokila. He was proud of Kokila and was telling the older lady that the little girl has recovered and is already going home, “why aren't you?” The lady was too scared of falling and refused to start walking. Kokila recovered very fast and the doctor praised her hard work and our support. He repeated his awe at the work that we do and the extent of support that we give. Giving financial support is easy, but being with the people day in and day out is really what matters. On his own he said that he wanted to come to the school and to make sure that I kept in touch.

I then went in to get Kokila who was more than ready! She was standing and waiting. The nurse had last minute things to do, so they gave Kokila lunch. When all the papers were signed, Kokila gave the nurses her thank you card for them and was simply going to give the one for the doctor to them. The nurses immediately called the doctor to the unit again. He was clearly touched by her card. We took a picture: Kokila, Kanchan, the doctor and I. We were all feeling very proud and relieved that her recovery was taking the next step.

The ride home in the taxi wasn't easy for Kokila, it was clear that she felt every bump in the road – of which there are many. She made it home without crying though and was trying to be really strong.

When we walked into the school, Rekha, Santosh and Kokila`s brother Pappy were there. Their first reaction was unfortunately to just stare. Though Kokila is looking great as compared to how she was, it is still shocking to see her for the first time. With a push, they welcomed her and started talking. Soon news got out and Kokila`s brothers and sisters as well as some of her school friends arrived. Everyone had the same reaction and it was hard for Kokila. Luckily, brother Hritick (5) immediately jumped up and down and smiling and laughing and saying “Koki! Koki!”. He didn't seem to see her frailty or her wounds, or her scars – he only saw his big sister and was overjoyed to have her home.

Stragglers kept trying to come in at which point we sent everyone away. Kokila was clearly overwhelmed and the trauma of the day – both physically and emotionally had taken its toll. By the time we got rid of the crowd, Kokila was sobbing uncontrollably and writhing in pain. She tried to sleep on her own but only settled when she laid on Juniper’s lap. She slept for 45 minutes. When she awoke, she was no longer crying and enjoyed a peaceful afternoon in front of the TV. She wasn't smiling, but she seemed to settle as time went on. Parvati didn’t leave Kokila’s side. She was glad to have her big sister back but didn't like it that her big sister was in pain. She winced every time Kokila made a sound. Parvati has been so used to people taking care of her over the years, it was nice to see her take care of Kokila – petting her arm and doing whatever else she could.

Juniper’s main concern was to figure out a toilet for Kokila. Her legs weren't strong enough to squat. She managed a makeshift one with a bucket and some boxes – all was well.

39 days – and I felt every hour of it. What a relief to have her close to home and safe. Everyone should pat themselves on the back for doing their part in saving Kokila’s life.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

2011-11-07T20:51:00.000-07:00

Tania will be doing another update to give you the details of the second plastic surgery operation and the move home for Kokila. She will be going home this week.

I didn't want to wait to say the following:

GOOD, GOOD, GOOD NEWS FROM MUMBAI

2011-10-31T20:52:00.000-06:00

I promised last blog to talk about other good news stories regarding some of our other children in Mumbai, but I know that many of you have been waiting anxiously for news about Kokila's progress.
The news is very good.

We are blessed with the love and support of so many people in India, in Canada, and all around the world. Below is the uncensored, full report just received this morning from Tania.
----------------------------------------

Kokila Update

******************************************************
Monday, October 24, 2011 (Day 21)

Vinita visited and once again was not able to see the doctor. With Diwali approaching, there are a lot of emergency burn patients that he is dealing with. She had a great little visit with Kokila though. Kokila still wasn’t up to talking much and so they didn’t broach any important subjects, but each visit gets easier for Vinita and so hopefully next week they will talk about the day the accident happened.

There was no operation scheduled.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011 (Day 22)

With Sunil’s exam done (he thinks he has a chance at passing), I was once again free and really looked forward to seeing Kokila. I fed her breakfast after a bit of a fight and she ate quite well (an idli, dahl and chai). She is still not eating well and the nurses are worried that it will postpone her discharge. The Doctor was at an all-day surgery at another hospital but did message to say that the last grafting surgery would be done on Monday the 31st.

Kokila was still not in a mood to talk, but at least she wasn’t screaming or moaning. She was just quiet – probably trying to assimilate everything that has happened over the month.

Kanchan travelled home with me and was quiet herself. She is really worn out. I was surprised when a little girl carrying her baby brother was begging on the train that Kanchan pulled out two Rupees and gave it to her. I haven’t quite figured it out yet. She doesn’t have money herself but gave it away. She used to beg herself so appreciates how hard it is? My initial reaction was love for Kanchan and tears welled up in my eyes.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011 (Day 23)

Diwali!

At 7pm, I was surprised with a call from the doctor. He wanted to inform me about Kokila’s progress and what the next couple weeks would entail. He is not able to do grafting on both sides of the body at the same time. The major grafting was the front which went well and which was healing well so far. The back is minor with only one shoulder and the back of her neck to do. He wasn’t at all worried about it and expected it to go smoothly on Monday. He also said that she could be discharged as early as the Monday after the surgery, the 7th of November! What great news for Diwali! I couldn’t believe that the doctor took time out if his celebrations to call and inform about a patient.

While the volunteers and I were celebrating Diwali at Vinita’s place, Kanchan called and was with Kokila and everyone was happy.

Thursday, October 27, 2011 (Day 24)

Kokila greeted me with a smile. That was a long time coming! She was glad to see me and when I showed her the set of pens and coloring book that I brought for her, she said “Happy Diwali! I love you!”

That itself made the whole month worth it.

We sat for a long time together, me picking out her lice, her telling me about the shows she watched on TV. It was nice, really nice.

She ate her dahl without too much coercion but complained a lot about the hospital food. I promised her I would bring her some more chicken.

What a nice day.

Friday, October 28, 2011 (Day 25)

Volunteer Honey wanted to see Kokila again. As she visited, I had the unfortunate job of paying the bill – which has now crossed $9000 – and there are still at least ten days and one operation to go. Oh boy. Kokila was a little confused at first because she had just woken up, but then she had a great visit with Honey. She ate more than half a cheese sandwich and some chai. Honey thought it strange to feed her and scratch her lice head, but was really glad that she had visited. They coloured together and Kokila made a card for Honey that said “I miss you, I love you, I thank you”.

Saturday, October 29, 2011 (Day 26)

I had another great visit with Kokila. I was supposed to meet the doctor, but he had to rush to another Diwali firecracker burn victim last minute. He had come early in the morning to change her dressings. He sent a message saying that the grafts done in the first surgery were 100% successful and that the surgery would go ahead as scheduled on Monday.

Thank heavens he did a new dressing, because the smell was unbearable over the last couple days – I guess the healing and infection coming out. When I got there, she was looking, and smelling!, clean and wonderful.

Kokila and I watched “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe”. She had just watched the Hindi dubbed version the day before, so even though it was in English she was telling me everything that was happening. She said “I need to remember my English and practice.”

She ate well: two pieces of chicken, a little potato and half of her dahl. By the end she was complaining about her full tummy.

Despite the pain of the dressings in the morning, she was in a great mood. Her only complaint was her head being itchy – and rightfully so. There is no other way of describing it than disgusting. There was lice and eggs everywhere and carcasses of dead lice to add to it.

The nurse had to give her medicine, so I had to leave but she let me go with a big smile – the first time all month.

Monday, October 31, 2011 (Day 28)

The day couldn’t have gone smoother. When I reached the hospital, the doctor was in the elevator. He had another operation before Kokila’s but that today would be the final procedure. He said that she was doing really well.

I then saw Kokila very briefly. She opened her eyes to tell me that she was glad they shaved her hair off (they had called me the previous day to ask for permission at which I said YES!). Her and I said together that her hair would quickly grow back. I told her to go back to sleep, she said ok and within seconds was snoring again. Its better she sleeps as much as she can before the operation anyway.

I wasn’t sure whether I would be able to talk to the doctor in length, but before he started his first operation (a little boy that blew himself up with a firecracker) he took the time to talk to me. The first skin grafts were taken from her right thigh and calf, and today’s grafts were to be taken from her left thigh. Not too much was needed as it was a MUCH smaller area. When he did the dressing the other day, he yelled at Kokila a lot trying to get her to be stronger. In the end, he was happy that he didn’t have to give her any anaesthesia. He threatened her with sending her back to Sion hospital – at which point she instantly was quiet. He was hoping to give the minimum today as well and thought that she would be just fine. He reassured me by saying that he realized where she was returning home to and even though he thought that she would likely be ready for discharge in a week, he wouldn’t take any chances of infection and would make sure that the risk was 0. He also explained how he is minimizing the bills as much as he can. There is no doubt that he has gone above and beyond the basic expectations. Hopefully he follows through and comes in and talks to the children.

Kanchan and I then had chai together before Kokila’s operation started. She was overjoyed when I told her that discharge could be as early as Monday. She had no idea and was shaking with glee. We then talked about the whole month – from her breaking down at the entrance to Sion to her having to bathe Kokila to today. We both said that had she not moved, she would have died.

As I write, Kokila is in the middle of her second grafting and the story nears its conclusion. The love and support has been beyond incredible. We are all honoured to be a part of this, greater than us, One! family.

Good News from Khar Re: Kokila

2011-10-22T22:04:00.000-06:00

Below please find the most recent update on Kokila covering the period of Thursday October 13, 2011 to Saturday October 22, 2012. The update was done by Tania and is copied in it's entirety.

To all those who have supported Kokila through donations, prayers, and good thoughts,thank you for all the love and support extended to Kokila, her family, Tania and the staff of One! in India.

The bottom line, as of today, is that Kokila is doing very well, and I am sure it is due in large part to all of you.

It looks very promising that Kokila - who has endeared herself to so many people over the years - will be able to celebrate Holi as she did in this picture.

__________________________________________________________________

Thursday, October 13, 2011 (Day 10)

I arrived early at 8:45am worried that I would miss the doctor again. Of course I stood around waiting for an hour as he didn’t arrive until almost 10am. The first words that came out of his mouth shocked me “I am going to do the blood transfusion today.” I was ready for it to be happening soon, but not quite that soon. As it turns out, her Haemoglobin had dropped to 8.2 yesterday and he was expecting 8 or 7.8 today. Rather than wait until it was an emergency, he decided to do the Transfusion during the day when there were all the professionals needed in case it went wrong. I asked the time frame and he said within an hour.

I then went up to see Kokila who was once again in a horrible mood. She was having trouble with her neck which was hurting no matter how she kept it. In talking with the doctor later, I found out that is the area that he is most worried about. She is not allowed to use a pillow as it will crush the skin together and cause problems. Kokila refused to eat again and was force fed. I wasn’t able to spend much time with her, and in the half hour I did, she didn’t smile once and didn’t even want to talk to anyone on the phone.

The nurses pulled me aside to sign the release form for the Blood Transfusion which (I hope you will all understand) I refused to do. Kanchan had left the hospital to work in the Thursday market so the family had a little pocket money, and so for the first time in 10 days, Kokila was without a family member. Vinita was at the charity registration office and so it was really difficult to communicate the needs. Rakesh answered his phone and said that both his parents were on their way and would reach in 15 minutes. I decided to meet them downstairs as they would be worried. After half an hour they didn’t show up. We got back on the phones to try to contact them again. It turns out that Rakesh had lied again and they were all still in Khar. They finally left Khar at 11:30am, arriving at the hospital at 12:45pm. The whole time I was just waiting and worried and waiting and worried some more. In the meantime, the doctor decided to retest Kokila’s blood in case there was a match or to take the closest match available. At 1pm, the doctor was in the burn unit and was trying to reassure me again that it would work out. He already had a dialysis machine in the room and everyone was aware of the situation and knew what steps needed to be taken. Unfortunately he then went on and on about how they could only do as much as they could and the rest was up to God and that sometimes people who were barely burned didn’t survive and others who were more than 50% did and how of course they had to do all that they knew how to do and that god wouldn’t do that but that the rest we couldn’t predict and that really no one ever knows just how it is going to go but that god is great and that he would determine and………. I phased out about halfway through and actually ended up feeling more worried than reassured. Oh boy… With a brief explanation of the procedure, Kanchan put her thumbprint as a signature and we were off – being told that the procedure would start within a couple of hours.

I then had the wonderful job of explaining the risk as simply but clearly as possible to Kanchan, Bhola and Rakesh. Everyone has different blood and Kokila’s doesn’t have a match and they have to give the closest even though it isn’t perfect and her body might not like it and then there could be problems but the doctors will be ready. And more than likely it will be ok, but just in case you HAVE TO BE HERE.

Completely spent, I left for a couple hours break with all intention to return. On my way home in the train with the wind blowing against my face I realized that I was in no state to return.

I arrived at Khar school at 2:45pm and collapsed in a chair. Vinita brought me water and took care of me and we planned for Honey (always ready for anything) and Vikas (just as ready to do anything) going to go to the hospital just in case anything was needed.

As Honey and Vikas were arriving at the hospital at 4:30pm, I got a text message from the doctor asking for us to get a medicine from outside immediately. “Lipidem” would increase the immunity against infection – a boost needed during the transfusion. The transfusion hadn’t started because her fever was too high. He sent the drug distributor’s phone number and Vinita immediately called and tried to arrange for it. The distributor was not ready to give the medicine without a prescription. Vikas and Honey then tried to get in touch with the nurses (that in itself taking nearly half an hour) and then convince them to call the doctor for the prescription. This was somehow very difficult and so I called the doctor directly who told me to tell the distributor to call him directly. What a mess. The distributor refused to call the doctor but finally said that he would give the medicine but would not give a receipt. For f(*&$#@’S sake. Did it really have to be that difficult! Finally at 5:40pm Vikas went to get the urgent medicine.

While Vikas was gone, Kanchan was dragging Honey all over the hospital – burn unit to visitor lounge to reception and back around again. She was anxious, worried and fidgety. She kept hugging Honey and saying thank you and being simply appreciative and wonderful. Honey felt that she didn’t deserve the thanks but was glad to see the love in Kanchan’s eyes and the commitment to her daughter. Honey was able to spend half an hour with Kokila who was still in no mood to laugh or smile. She was telling Honey how everyone wanted her to come home soon and that they were sad. Honey told her that they were worried and that everyone loves her very much. Kokila asked where I was with a sad face. Honey explained that I was very tired, Kokila said it was ok. Kokila asked if I would be there in the morning. Even though Vinita is planning to go, Honey said yes to reassure her. Vinita convinced herself that she needed to deal with the situation and saw a picture of Kokila on Wednesday. It was hard for her, but being the strong woman that she is, she is determined to meet Kokila and face her own fears tomorrow.

Vikas arrived with the medicine at 6:30pm. The nurses curtly took it and said that the fever had reduced and they were about to start the transfusion. She also told everyone to go away except one person – that she would call if anything was needed. This is likely not completely true since they were supposed to call in the afternoon for an update and didn’t. Still, it was already a long day for everyone and waiting seems to be endless and the majority of the time futile. Honey and Vikas returned leaving Kanchan with her lovely daughter at the hospital.

It is currently 8:30pm and the transfusion has been running for an hour and a half of the scheduled 4 hours without call or alarm. No news is good news. Let’s hope the phone doesn’t ring through the whole night…

Thanks for all of your love and support and warm thoughts, Tania

Friday, October 14, 2011 (Day 11)

Vinita arrived at the hospital at 9:00am. She waited in the lobby for a bit, then finally took a deep breath and headed up to see Kokila for the first time (aside from a cellphone picture). She says afterward that it wasn’t as hard as she thought it would be. The wounds are really bad, but she could tell that she has recovered a lot and she felt that Kokila was going to be ok. Kokila wasn’t in a good mood again. Vinita asked her a lot of questions but all she could get was a slight nod as agreement or grimace as a no.

Vinita spoke to the nurses and found out that the blood transfusions were no cause for concern. Kokila’s body was accepting the new blood and there was no spike of fever. They only gave one bottle of blood on Thursday and were going to give another bottle that day.

Vinita spent almost three hours and was really glad that she did. She was feeling really detached from Kokila and the accident and now felt that she could be a part of her recovery.

The evening transfusion went well again. The doctor called at 10:35pm to tell me that the transfusions were over. He sounded just as relieved as I was.

Saturday, October 15, 2011 (Day 12)

When I arrived at 11am, I went straight in to see Kokila who was sleeping peacefully. At 11:15am, the nurses needed to change Kokila’s dressings so I was kicked out. Being in the Burn Unit at this time is very difficult as you can hear her screaming of pain. I went down to the lobby and read a bit of my book (“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” for anyone who is interested!) but didn’t get that far by the time Kanchan saw me. We had chai together and played with her granddaughter Tejal (Manda had come to the hospital with her to visit Kanchan). Manda has been extremely supportive of Kanchan through the whole ordeal.

At noon, Kanchan and I travelled to the Burn Unit. The dressings were still being changed, so I waited inside, and Kanchan waited out. When finally they were done, Kokila was not in any mood at all. She was clearly in a lot of pain and very upset from the procedure. She was downright angry and didn’t want to listen to anything or anyone. I tried to distract her with TV but she hit the remote away. I showed her cards from the kids, no smile. I read her all the emails everyone had sent, no smile. By the time the doctor came an hour later, she was calm again. I put the TV on and left. I guess the positive is that she must be feeling better or she wouldn’t have the energy to be angry?

The doctor was glad to see me as he feels he can really explain the situation, most of his patients’ family do not understand even in the simplest of terms. After the blood transfusion, the medicines that were being given for the infection were no longer sensitive (no longer working). He had to give her a stronger anti-biotic which always has other side-effects and is harder on the body for recovery. He wasn’t worried about it, but was disappointed that she couldn’t continue on the ones she was on.

He was pondering getting started on the surgeries as early as Wednesday the 19th. It would depend on how Kokila reacted to the new medicines and the amount of infection she had in her body.

He went around telling all of the nurses and ward boys and other patients’ families what I do. As I have said before, not needed, but I would be lying if I said it didn’t feel nice.

I had a meeting with a young man who was …well…there is really no way of saying it nicely…trying to steal away some of the children at the school. But that’s a story for another day. It wasn’t the most pleasant meeting though – that much was clear.

Then Vijay Sir, Sunil, Ashok, Reshma, Honey, Chetana Didi and I tried to get as many exams done as possible so that the week wouldn’t be so hard. We ended up staying until 9pm…oh boy…

Sunday, October 16, 2011 (Day 13)

A great day for Kokila because aside from the daily change of dressings, there were no other procedures she had to endure. Kanchan was really excited to see laughing and even playing a bit with a coin. Throwing it and catching it and smiling.

Monday, October 17, 2011 (Day 14) Two weeks – Almost safe

With full intention of heading to the hospital after printing a couple of exams for that day, the plan kept changing as the day went on. I started on exams at 8:15am and didn’t leave the computer until 7:30pm. The good news was that there was little that had to be done for the rest of the week.

Kanchan had called at 11:30am asking where I was. Without hesitation she said not to worry and not to go to the hospital because Kokila was doing really well. She later came in to the school at 3:00pm and was beaming with excitement at Kokila’s progress. Apparently the doctor also reassured her that Kokila was going to be fine and that the operations would start on Wednesday.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011 (Day 15)

I arrived at the hospital at 9:00am and the nurse was waking Kokila up as I walked in. She was grumpy and didn’t want to eat, but I decided to take none of her mood and fed her anyway. By the end, she had an idli, a bowl of dahl and some chai. This was more than she had since the very first time I fed her eight days ago. She is still refusing to eat most of the time; so they are still feeding her through the tube in her nose – which Kokila still hates. Kokila was insisting that she should go home. I tried to tell her nicely for half an hour but finally had to play a bit of a harder line by saying that first you have to look pretty again and then you can go home – you don’t want people to see you like this. She didn’t press the issue after that. By 10:00am she was in a much better mood so we started calling people. She smiled quite a bit and couldn’t believe how many people told her to get better fast and come home and that they missed her. She kept telling everyone that she was coming home Friday (which she wasn’t) and with a gentle reminder she then added “…or next Friday” (still likely not true, but at least closer to the truth). This didn’t just happen once, but with every person. While she was talking on the phone, the nurse took a blood sample to check for the level of infection still present.

It was great to see Kokila after 3 days. Her face is improving very quickly, and they no longer have her full arms wrapped. The arms have huge pink patches, but they are no longer wet with pus but dry and healing. Her face is starting to look beautiful again. Her cheeks are healing really well and her lips are looking much, much better also. I could see the infection back around her jaw (yellow pus), but all in all the improvement was obvious. I am worried about her ear and neck, but all other areas seem to be well on their way to healing.

I left the hospital at 12:00pm without meeting the doctor, he got stuck at another hospital. The nurse said that if the blood test results showed a reasonable level of infection, then the operation would be booked for the morning.

For the first time in exam week history, all exams were prepared and sent for Xerox on Tuesday at 6:15pm! Unbelievable. The kids always enjoy exams and this year is no exception.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 (Day 16)

As I had a One! International Board Meeting Wednesday morning (which the internet cut out on anyway), Vinita decided to go to the hospital. When she got there at 9:00am, the nurse was preparing Kokila for the operation (removal of the dead skin, “skin debrilement” or so I was told). Vinita was not able to meet anyone, but kept Kanchan company and calm throughout the morning. Finally at 12:00pm they got the good news that the operation went really well. They peeked in on Kokila but of course she was sleeping. Vinita said that she looked just as burnt, but ‘cleaner’ with all the black removed and the infection cleaned off.

Vinita spoke to the doctor who was all smiles about the operation’s success and the speed of recovery of Kokila. He was so happy with the operation that he didn’t want to wait until Monday the 24th as was his original plan but instead to start the skin grafting on Friday. He thanked Vinita for her support. All good news!

When Vinita spoke to the nurses, they were complaining that Kokila was still refusing to eat her meals. Vinita conveyed this message to Kanchan who promised to force her to eat.

After the operation, Kokila was given two more bottles of blood to keep her haemoglobin count up. The blood transfusions once again went on without any complication.

Thursday, October 20, 2011 (Day 17)

Wednesday turned out to be a crazy day at Khar (they usually happen once a month or so) which means that we can’t afford to leave the school without Vinita or myself present. Nothing too horrible – just a mixture of random events. Since Vinita was doing her health exams in Nallasopara that meant that I was not able to go to the hospital. Kanchan had reassured us the day before that it wasn’t a problem and that she would stay all day and take care of Kokila. At 4pm, Kanchan showed up, leaving her husband Bhola at the hospital. She was all smiles and said that when she left the hospital, Kokila was smiling and laughing and watching TV and that we shouldn’t worry about anything. She met the doctor and he also said that everything was going to be fine. He said the skin grafting was scheduled for the next day.

Friday, October 21, 2011 (Day 18)

With only three days left until Sunil’s last Grade 10 exam (math), Vijay Sir took another turn at the hospital. He arrived at 8:30am and the nurses were already getting Kokila ready for the operation. Kanchan was excited and glad to have Vijay there with her. They have really gotten to know each other through this ordeal and spend a lot of time laughing. The operation started at 9:30am.

At 10:00am, four volunteers (Honey-US, Luanna-England, Taryn-Canada and Elin-Sweden) showed up to give blood. As Kokila had been given four bottles of blood so far, we were responsible to find four donors to replace them. Honey and Luanna were able to give, but unfortunately Taryn and Elin were not. Apparently the Blood Bank staff were extremely confused by the gang of foreigners all from different countries, all arriving in India at different times, all leaving India at different times, but all wanting to donate blood for a little slum girl. The volunteers enjoyed the spectacle they had unknowingly created. We are still trying to find two more people that are above 50kg (most of our staff are not) to donate blood. The pressure isn’t as great now that we have given two.

Finally at 12:30pm, Vijay and Kanchan were called to say that the operation was over. Vijay waited around for over an hour to meet the doctor who was in a hurry when he finally met him. He was pleasant though and just reassured Vijay that the operation went perfectly and that there would be another skin grafting on Monday.

Kanchan stayed with Kokila all day.

Saturday, October 22, 2011 (Day 18)

Vinita decided to visit Kokila today. She went in the afternoon and unfortunately Kokila had just fallen asleep after lunch. Once again she was not able to have a proper visit. She couldn’t see any of the grafting (neck and chest) as it was all bandaged up, but Kokila looked very clean and in three days she could see that a lot of healing happened. Kanchan was telling Vinita how proud she was because she was able to make Kokila eat all of her meals and that now Kokila was eating without coercion.

The doctor was not in the hospital today, but in talking with nurses, Vinita was reassured that everything was going really well and that Kokila was recovering quicker than normal.

Kanchan had not heard anything about the operation on Monday and so we are not sure at this point as to whether it is or is not. Vinita will be there first thing Monday morning to find out. Tomorrow is a day of rest for all involved… Except for Sunil and I, one last day of cramming before he finally passes his exam on Monday. He has been telling everyone that he HAS to pass, so hopefully he is predicting the future.

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Next Blog will focus on some other GOOD NEWS stories from Mumbai.

SAD NEWS FROM KHAR

2011-10-13T22:39:00.000-06:00

On October 4, 2011 we had a very sad occurrence in Mumbai with one of our original girls. 14 year old Kokila was cooking and the propane stove exploded. She has received massive burns all over her body and is in a very dire state.

The story of Kokila is copied below. Tania updates the story as often as she can.

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Tuesday, October 4, 2011 (Day 1)

Message (Approximately 11pm): Julie received an urgent phone call from Tania with some devastating news.

One of the schools young working students, Kokila was cooking and the propane stove exploded. She has received massive burns all over her body and is in a very dire state. Tania et al have taken Kokila to all of the local hospitals and everyone is refusing to help this beautiful young girl. They have been waiting for over six hours to get some help, her life, literally is hanging by a thread.

Update1 (Approximately 12pm): Tania is extremely appreciative of everyone's concern - here is the latest update as of 5 mins ago. Kokila is now getting treatment, however not in a proper burn unit. Tania has to decide whether it is good to move her or not. The only burn center is over an hour's drive away from the hospital they are in. It is a difficult decision as they are not sure she Kokila will be able to make the move.

Tania will keep us posted.

Update2 (Approximately 12:30pm): Tania has advised that the incident has now become a police case and she fears that the process will be even slower now.

Update3 (Approximately 1:30am): Tania sent photos of where Kokila is being looked after, and we are sure that everyone will agree we need to move her as soon as possible. In her current state however, she will not survive the move. Kokila is only 14 yrs young and a very special young girl, well loved and liked.

Update4 (Approximately 3am):

Kokila is resting and in stable condition in the burn unit of the hospital. The plan moving forward is in 2-3 days that she will be stable enough to move to the national burn unit, admittance fee alone is $1,300. We can confirm that this vibrant 14yr old has suffered 50-60% burns over her little body.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011 (Day 2)

Kokila slept through the night and was taken for a bath (cleansing of the wounds) early morning.

Kanchan (Her mom) says that she was able to walk and stand on her own. She was chatty and coherent. At one point Kanchan got teary eyed and Kokila told her not to cry that she would be ok.

Vinita and Vijay Sir spent the morning and early afternoon with Kanchan who really loved the support and seemed to get stronger through it.

A bunch of the older children from the school went to see her at visiting hours but were not allowed in, it was good for Kanchan though to have people around.

Vijay Sir returned to the hospital around 5 and got the medicine needed and did some other running around. He was really worried as he saw Kokila briefly when he dropped off some medicine, "The swelling wasn't going down".

I arrived at 8 and immediately went up to see Kokila. Though only Kanchan is allowed to see her, being white has few advantages in this country and this is one of them. I walked right in and spent half an hour watching her sleep peacefully. Her face looks more than twice as bad as it looked yesterday. The swelling that was below her eyes yesterday was all the way up to her hairline today. Her eyes were only slits. She can no longer see.

However, when talking to the doctors, they ensured that where there was little to no chance yesterday, she had a 50% chance today.

I was not only able to talk to the intern that was the same one that was admitting her yesterday, but the main doctor in the unit. He was very pleasant to talk to and spent at least 15-20 minutes with me. I asked how many more days before she was out of danger. At first he said that he couldn't tell, but then gave the impression of at least 5 days more to a week. I asked what he thought about moving her to a private hospital. To this he was very honest in saying that the medical treatment and testing that she would receive would be the same in both places. On his own he stated that the hygiene, cleanliness and quality of care would be worlds different though. He definitely understood moving her and seemed to breathe a bit of relief at hearing it. When asked when she could move, he said that as long as the ambulance was well equipped then she could move today. He even gave me his phone number and said he would call if there were any changes. But... no news is good news.

Tomorrow is Dassera - the final day of the Navrati festival. The streets will be ridiculous and crowds everywhere. We have decided that tomorrow is not a good idea and that we will move her first thing Friday morning. He has suggested Bombay Hospital downtown. Vinita (with someone helping her) will secure a bed there in the morning while Vijay and I do all that's necessary at her current hospital.

Though we are still not out of the woods, with every hour that goes by, the situation gets a little less dire. We are now 32 hours in.

Let's see what tomorrow brings,

Thursday, October 6, 2011 (Day 3)

According to Kokila's mother Kanchan, the morning went well without too much trouble. Kanchan bathed her and the doctor did her dressings. While putting on the burn cream, Kanchan noticed that he missed a few spots. He wasn't very happy with her mentioning it.

Brother Rakesh was supposed to spend the night and wait until Vijay Sir arrived at 8:30am. However, he left in the middle of the night and didn't even say good-bye to his mother. He was missing in action all day; we are very disappointed in him. As a result, Vijay Sir was at the hospital from 8:30am until 10:15pm. He is remarkable in his commitment and passion for our children.

Kanchan had many visitors throughout the day. Teacher Leena, a handful of school children and a couple school moms. She was really happy with all the support.

In the evening Vinita Didi arrived followed closely by myself. A funny story happened. Vinita was being kicked out because she didn't have the pass. I walked up just in time to throw the pass her way and walk right by the cops into the burn unit. They watched me go and didn't say anything. I waited there until the cops were gone and all was well. Things you can get away with when you are white. Vinita is struggling with the whole situation so it was nice to be together for quite a while that evening. She still couldn't bring herself to look at Kokila because she said 'She was so pretty'.

I spent at least half an hour with Kokila that evening. The swelling had come down in her face and she was able to open her eyes. Talking was still very difficult and beyond throwing names at me asking how people were that's all she could communicate. She was mostly nodding or disagreeing as I asked questions and told her stories. I asked her if she went a little crazy - she nodded yes. I asked her if she still was crazy - she said no. I asked her if she would do it again - she said no. She agreed that her mom is taking amazing care of her and that she worries when her mom cries. She said that she wasn't in too much pain - but that was a lie.

I had a great talk with the doctor as soon as I entered. He wanted to talk, and talk he did. He explained the ward's situation. He had 24 patients all on his own. No interns because it was Dassera (the final day of the Navratri festival). He had to dress all of them which takes between 1/2 an hour and an hour each. I think we all can do the math. He was a zombie walking. He said that Kokila was somewhat stable but really wanted to stress that we were lucky that she was steadily getting better day by day. She could just as quickly take a turn for the worse. He reminded that it would be at least two weeks until she was safe and that getting an infection was the main concern. We spoke again about changing hospitals and he understood. He said that we would need to hire a private ambulance because we would be discharging 'Against Medical Advice'. He was not at all concerned about her safety in the ambulance.

Another funny story, I had to go in one more time to call Kanchan. I asked for them to call her, the doctor said just go yourself. I started walking to her room and he suddenly stopped me, telling me to put shoes on - which everyone is supposed to take off before entering the burn unit. Confused I clarified this at which point he took me to the OP room and gave me a pair of doctor's shoes to wear. Walking in my doctor's shoes, I called Kanchan, returned the shoes and carried on my way.

Just as we were leaving for the night, a nurse walked by and asked me what department I was in. Confused, I said none. She then said that I was a doctor. I said no. She asked why I was there. I said to see a patient. With a confused look on her face, she continued on her way. All white people must be doctors in her world. We decided that if I were to walk around the hospital with a stethoscope I would gain access everywhere and probably have a bunch of interns following my every step.

Rakesh was supposed to arrive at 9pm and didn't until 10:15pm. He met a barage of yelling by many people when he arrived. People that seemed to care for and be more worried about his sister than himself.

Friday, October 7, 2011 (Day 4)

First thing in the morning, Vinita Didi and Honey (two time volunteer from America), went downtown to Bombay Hospital - a well known private hospital. We were shocked to find out that they don't have a specified burn unit and recommended Bhatia Hospital only 15 minutes away. The reception at Bhatia Hospital was easy to deal with and they quickly secured a bed in the Burn Unit for Kokila. At this point, Vijay (with Bhavesh’s help) was informed to start the discharge process at Sion Hospital. This proved more difficult then first thought as all of the doctors were in surgeries. The ambulance was called and arrived within 20 minutes. The discharge papers were signed, but an intern was still doing Kokila's dressings. We waited half an hour but then were ready to go. By 11:30am we left Sion Hospital by ambulance. With the siren blazing, very few cars moved out of the way so it still took half an hour.

While we were dealing with everything at Sion Hospital, Vinita and Honey met the Senior Burn doctor who gave them a small tour of the hospital and showed them the Burn Unit. They were very impressed with him and his facility and felt comfortable with Kokila's new home.

The ambulance arrived (at the wrong gate of course!) and so we had to wheel Kokila through the lobby. Thankfully I was in first because Vinita was standing right there. I was able to shoo her away before she saw anything. She doesn't want to ruin Kokila's beautiful face in her mind. I understand, because it is now hard for me to remember her beautiful face, I am haunted by the images of this week.

She was taken straight up to her bed in the Burn Unit ICU and within minutes, the nurses were doing their thing. They had the IV and other gadgets set up immediately. Kanchan is not good at communicating anything - let alone hospital intake forms. Good thing I was there to answer their questions. The nurses were quite confused by her - but then again, aren't we all!

Mass confusion broke outside the hospital when we realized that everyone and their dog arrived to ‘see’ Kokila – or be nosy and see where she was. For the past three days these people didn’t care but when word got out that she was being moved to a private then they all showed up. Like a creature in a zoo, they all wanted to go and meet her. This was ridiculous on many fronts – she is in ICU, she is a burn victim that can’t see anyone, her face is burned and she probably doesn’t want to show anyone. Vijay Sir tried to send them away. Vinita tried. Finally big bad Tania Didi had to come in and lay down the law and take the brunt of their anger. Of course there was no reason in their mind for me not letting them see her, I was just being a mean ogre. It’s ok, I can take it.

Honey decided that she needed to get the image of Kokila riding by on the stretcher in front of her on Tuesday (the day it happened), out of her mind and wanted to see Kokila again. Older student Sunil has a crush on Honey and everyone jokes around that he is her boyfriend. A couple days before the accident happened, Kokila said to Sunil in English “You are not her boyfriend, I am!”. They loved to laugh and joke; this has been very hard for Honey. When she saw Kokila from the door, she received a big smile. Though the image is still not good, Honey was glad that it was much better than the image that was haunting her mind.

Kanchan needed to be escorted around the hospital one more time so that she felt safe. I showed her the visitor’s lounge where she could sleep and the payphone to make calls and then we went to the Burn Unit so that I could say good-bye to Kokila. I asked her if she liked her new home; she nodded yes.

Kanchan couldn’t believe that she didn’t have to do anything anymore. In fact, she wasn’t ALLOWED to do anything. The nurses treated her well and you could see her relax a little more as each minute passed.

I then treated the five of us who invested time and energy (Vijay Sir, Bhavesh Sir, Vinita Didi, Honey and myself) to a special lunch at one of my old favourite places – The Samrat, bottomless Gujarati thali restaurant. Vijay Sir ate a week’s worth and we all just relaxed a bit knowing that Kokila was in a good place and in safe hands.

We then journeyed to school to inform the staff (both Khar and NS) and volunteers of the events of the week. It was a hard meeting, reliving it all, but important that everyone knew the truth rather than spreading rumours. Vijay was appreciated for the commitment he made to Kokila.

At 9pm, Kanchan called to say that we needed two or three people to give blood immediately. She was willing and asked us to call Rakesh. I did and planned to meet him at the station at 10:30am the next day. We also asked Bhavesh to come as a back-up and asked him not to tell Vijay Sir so that he could rest. That didn`t work! Bhavesh immediately told Vijay who immediately called Vinita and yelled at her for not involving him!

The day was finally over.

Saturday, October 8, 2011 (Day 5)

Of course Rakesh didn`t arrive when he was supposed to. The Nurses called in the morning saying that the doctor wanted to meet me at 11am, so I couldn`t wait for Rakesh endlessly. Good thing I didn`t, he didn`t show up that day at all.

Vijay and Bhavesh arrived on time of course, and brought a friend along to also give blood, just for insurance.

I had a bit of Bombay belly that day and so was embarrassingly sweaty and uncomfortable. I waited about half an hour for the doctor to take a break from a surgery he was in, but it was well worth it. He didn`t seem to notice my sweat (phew!) and he was warm straight away and exuded a genuine and caring presence. The reason he wanted me to come in was because he had to give Kokila a really expensive medicine, Albufren (or something like that!) and that if we got it from outside we would save a lot of money. It turns out that it costs around Rs. 5500 at the hospital and Rs. 3500 outside. That`s a savings of almost $50 a day. He told me not to tell anyone because he was acting against the hospital. I was to bring in the medicine, saying that we had it from before. He also said that he would do any procedures bedside rather than in the Burn Unit Operating room. This would save Rs. 15,000 per procedure – about $380. Considering she will need multiple procedures, this is quite remarkable. He was really positive about the work and care that we were doing and really wanted to help in any way he could.

He said that she was in a stable condition, but his main concern was the extensive respiratory burns that she had. He said that the physical burns on the skin could be only 1% but if there are respiratory burns that it becomes critical. Kokila has both. He gave a better than 50% chance at survival but said that we wouldn`t be out of the scary time for three weeks.

As Vijay went to get the medicine, the rest of us (myself, Kanchan, Bhavesh and friend) went to the blood bank for our donors to give. We thought that it would be quite a simple procedure as is written in the hospital rules ‘Blood is given on a replacement basis. You give blood, we provide blood.’ So started the blood bank fiasco.

They actually didn`t want us to give blood at all, they wanted us to take a vial of Kokila`s blood to a private blood bank to ask if they had a match and if they did to bring the donation of blood back to the hospital. Yes, you read that right. We were to carry a vial of blood like a set of keys or a book in the trains and taxis and streets of Mumbai. Safe. Really safe. I tried to explain why this was so ridiculous to the blood bank guy to which he said ‘Yes, I understand, but this is the way it is,’ or ‘Yes, I see that it is dangerous, but this is the way it is.’ Fed up and getting nowhere, Bhavesh and friend then proceeded to do as told – take a vial of Kokila`s blood on the train and then a taxi to another blood bank.

The reason for the chaos was that Kokila has B+ blood which the hospital has hundreds of samples of. However, there was a factor in Kokila’s blood that was reacting with all the samples. Not one sample was viable.

Bhavesh and friend gave the blood and were told that it would take an hour and a half for the testing and matching.

Meanwhile, Vijay arrived back at the hospital with the medicine. I passed security without question (once again I will stress that I am white – by this point I was in and out of the gate 15 times and hadn’t even needed to show my pass once). I gave the medicine to the nurses who were ready for it. I asked the nurses if I could get away with not coming the next day (Sunday), they took down my number and assured me that all would be fine and that if they needed me they would call. I talked to Kokila from the door and got nicely scolded by the nurse ‘either put on your mask, hair net and gown and go in - or don’t talk’. I was very happy that she wasn’t taking any chances. I then waved good-bye and left Kanchan who was getting fully changed (they don’t trust her wearing her street clothes and so she wears nurses scrubs when she is with Kokila), to spend time with her daughter.

By this point it was nearly 3pm and Bhavesh and friend should have been arriving shortly with the blood. Vijay was comfortable waiting for them and told me to go home with my Bombay Belly. Confident that they would also be resting shortly, I left.

At 7:30pm, I got a call from Vijay who was still at the hospital. The Blood Bank took 5 hours to do the testing! There wasn’t a single match. Unsure what to do, they returned to Bhatia Hospital to ask. The hospital blood bank then called the doctor who said that they would have to find some other way – somehow. Vijay, Bhavesh and friend then had to return to the private blood bank for a refund and finally headed for home, worried, at 8pm. It was supposed to be a matter of a simple blood donation.

Sunday, October 9, 2011 (Day 6)

A quiet day on all fronts, Kanchan spent all day in and out of visiting Kokila. She still is treating her like a zoo animal though and had cousins, aunts and uncles looking at her through the window. She called at 7pm worried that I was sick. I reassured her that I was fine (which I mostly was by that point – spending most of the day in an almost comatose like state). She said that Kokila was fine and when she asked for me, Kanchan told her I was sick. The doctor was not in though he was on his phone with blood banks and haematologists trying to answer some of his concerns.

Monday, October 10, 2011 (Day 7)

The morning started off quite nice. I arrived by train at 9am sharp to find Kanchan pacing around outside. We went in together and she told me all about her visitors yesterday. I tried to explain about infection and ICU rules and Kokila probably not enjoying people seeing her – but it seemed to go in one ear and out the other. I tried.

I got suited up to see Kokila and by the time I went inside the nurse was feeding her first real meal since the accident. I asked if she wanted help and she surprisingly handed it over to me. A little shocked at first, it felt nice as it went on. She had an idli (rice cake), a boiled egg, a glass of mosambi juice (sweet lime) and a glass of tea. Kokila was very proud not to have to eat through the tube in her nose. She kept telling me that she would get them to take it out. I told her that if she listened to what they said and if she ate as much as she could they just might. We then talked about the day of the accident and the school and exams (which she was determined to write when she was better) and her family and … the list goes on and on. I thought that the doctor would come soon, but in the end, he didn’t show up until 11am and so I spent nearly two hours with Kokila. I enjoyed the time and for the first time really felt that I was with my old Kokila who I’ve known for 11 years. She was talking like a chatterbox again and her eyes and her nose looked like her old beautiful self. I was able to relax a little reminded of her beauty.

Unfortunately, the day turned sour from there. The doctor started out by saying that her vital signs were looking good and that the burns themselves are looking better. However, he had two bad things to relate. The first was that Kokila arrived with an infection – likely from either the Government Hospital itself or from the wait to get into the hospital. The infection is called Pseudomonas Species and is a very common infection for burns patients. It is dangerous, but luckily she is sensitive to all the medicines for it (they are working) and therefore it will likely be manageable. The second bad news was the real kicker. Kokila’s Haemoglobin level was steadily dropping and was currently at 8.4 where normal is between 12 and 16. He said that normally they would have already given her a pint of blood but since they hadn’t found a match (B+ or O+, they were trying to find O-), they were trying to put it off and see what happens. The haematologists were also very concerned and both were discussing the side effects of a mismatched Blood Transfusion – renal failure, the need to support it with steroids which then makes the infection worse and managing that. It was very complicated and the doctor was visibly worried…which obviously didn’t have a great effect on me. He said that he would do the mismatched Transfusion if her levels fell below 8 because he felt that at that point he didn’t have a choice.

He then buttered me up by talking about the work that we do at One!. He said that he felt good about the work that he was doing (free camps here and there) until he realized the commitment that I had made. Then he felt very small about his work and knew he needed to do more. He wondered if he could possibly come in to the school and talk to the children about burns and their consequences. He also commented on all the social workers that he has seen come in with money but not the time and attention that we are giving. They come and go but don’t actually spend the time with the patients and keep track of the details. He was shocked to see me feeding Kokila and the close relationship that we have.

Not that the praise is needed, but of course it always feels nice.

Worried, I headed back to the Khar school to relate the information to just a few not to create mass confusion.

We continued exam prep someway somehow, even though it felt so unimportant…

Tuesday, October 11, 2011 (Day 8)

I arrived at the hospital at 9:00am to find Kokila in a really foul mood. She was screaming of pain in her stomach. In the hour and a half that I was there, I was only able to make her smile once when I read her card from fellow classmate, Radha, which told her that she would never fight with her ever again. All of the Khar school children made pictures and cards for her. Kokila refused to eat anything and was force fed through the pipe in her nose. I waited for the doctor to arrive, but he never did. The nurse said that he might not even arrive until 2pm. I decided to leave at 12pm; the writhing in pain of Kokila was just too much to take. I needed to get some work done and distract myself.

The doctor didn’t answer my call or message but did finally call back at 5:15pm. He wasn’t too worried about the pain as it is normal with the severity of her burns. He also reassured that her Haemoglobin count hadn’t increased but also hadn’t decreased that day so he had ordered another test which we would get the results back on Friday. More than likely, the transfusion would be pushed back until then.

Slightly reassured, we retired for the day…

Wednesday, October 12, 2011 (Day 9)

I arrived a little late to the hospital at 9:30am to find Kokila in a decent mood which steadily got better and better throughout my visit. The nurses said that the doctor was supposed to arrive around 11:00am so I thought that I would just hang out with Kokila until then. We talked and talked and talked and she ate chicken. The doctor is trying to get as much protein and calories in her as possible so recommended that we make chicken at home and bring it. Joshua made the chicken and Kokila loved it! We then started calling everyone on speaker phone. She talked to Sunil, Vinita Didi, Leena Didi, Vijay Sir, Sangeeta, Rajeshree and Rekha. She was laughing a lot and was beaming from ear to ear when I left her room at 12:00pm. The doctor still hadn’t showed up. He had told me to call him from the Operation Room reception at any time. I went there and the receptionist didn’t quite agree with him. She was not willing to call him. I called his cell but of course he didn’t answer.

I left hoping that he would respond to a message. He did quite curtly saying that I should have met him at 9am at the operating room. Miscommunication again as that was not what I understood. Oh well. Since he didn’t say anything else, I understood that there was no news and I messaged him an apology and that I would meet him the next day at 9am at the operating rooms. In Hindi there is a saying ‘Maska Lagao’ meaning put on some butter and you will get what you want. I did just that, so let’s see what tomorrow brings.

Thursday, October 13, 2011 (Day 10)

I arrived early at 8:45am worried that I would miss the doctor again. Of course I stood around waiting for an hour as he didn’t arrive until almost 10am. The first words that came out of his mouth shocked me “I am going to do the blood transfusion today.” I was ready for it to be happening soon, but not quite that soon. As it turns out, her Haemoglobin had dropped to 8.2 yesterday and he was expecting 8 or 7.8 today. Rather than wait until it was an emergency, he decided to do the Transfusion during the day when there were all the professionals needed in case it went wrong. I asked the time frame and he said within an hour.

I then went up to see Kokila who was once again in a horrible mood. She was having trouble with her neck which was hurting no matter how she kept it. In talking with the doctor later, I found out that is the area that he is most worried about. She is not allowed to use a pillow as it will crush the skin together and cause problems. Kokila refused to eat again and was force fed. I wasn’t able to spend much time with her, and in the half hour I did, she didn’t smile once and didn’t even want to talk to anyone on the phone.

The nurses pulled me aside to sign the release form for the Blood Transfusion which (I hope you will all understand) I refused to do. Kanchan had left the hospital to work in the Thursday market so the family had a little pocket money, and so for the first time in 10 days, Kokila was without a family member. Vinita was at the charity registration office and so it was really difficult to communicate the needs. Rakesh answered his phone and said that both his parents were on their way and would reach in 15 minutes. I decided to meet them downstairs as they would be worried. After half an hour they didn’t show up. We got back on the phones to try to contact them again. It turns out that Rakesh had lied again and they were all still in Khar. They finally left Khar at 11:30am, arriving at the hospital at 12:45pm. The whole time I was just waiting and worried and waiting and worried some more. In the meantime, the doctor decided to retest Kokila’s blood in case there was a match or to take the closest match available. At 1pm, the doctor was in the burn unit and was trying to reassure me again that it would work out. He already had a dialysis machine in the room and everyone was aware of the situation and knew what steps needed to be taken. Unfortunately he then went on and on about how they could only do as much as they could and the rest was up to God and that sometimes people who were barely burned didn’t survive and others who were more than 50% did and how of course they had to do all that they knew how to do and that god wouldn’t do that but that the rest we couldn’t predict and that really no one ever knows just how it is going to go but that god is great and that he would determine and………. I phased out about halfway through and actually ended up feeling more worried than reassured. Oh boy… With a brief explanation of the procedure, Kanchan put her thumbprint as a signature and we were off – being told that the procedure would start within a couple of hours.

I then had the wonderful job of explaining the risk as simply but clearly as possible to Kanchan, Bhola and Rakesh. Everyone has different blood and Kokila’s doesn’t have a match and they have to give the closest even though it isn’t perfect and her body might not like it and then there could be problems but the doctors will be ready. And more than likely it will be ok, but just in case you HAVE TO BE HERE.

Completely spent, I left for a couple hours break with all intention to return. On my way home in the train with the wind blowing against my face I realized that I was in no state to return.

I arrived at Khar school at 2:45pm and collapsed in a chair. Vinita brought me water and took care of me and we planned for Honey (always ready for anything) and Vikas (just as ready to do anything) going to go to the hospital just in case anything was needed.

As Honey and Vikas were arriving at the hospital at 4:30pm, I got a text message from the doctor asking for us to get a medicine from outside immediately. “Lipidem” would increase the immunity against infection – a boost needed during the transfusion. The transfusion hadn’t started because her fever was too high. He sent the drug distributor’s phone number and Vinita immediately called and tried to arrange for it. The distributor was not ready to give the medicine without a prescription. Vikas and Honey then tried to get in touch with the nurses (that in itself taking nearly half an hour) and then convince them to call the doctor for the prescription. This was somehow very difficult and so I called the doctor directly who told me to tell the distributor to call him directly. What a mess. The distributor refused to call the doctor but finally said that he would give the medicine but would not give a receipt. For f(*&$#@’S sake. Did it really have to be that difficult! Finally at 5:40pm Vikas went to get the urgent medicine.

While Vikas was gone, Kanchan was dragging Honey all over the hospital – burn unit to visitor lounge to reception and back around again. She was anxious, worried and fidgety. She kept hugging Honey and saying thank you and being simply appreciative and wonderful. Honey felt that she didn’t deserve the thanks but was glad to see the love in Kanchan’s eyes and the commitment to her daughter. Honey was able to spend half an hour with Kokila who was still in no mood to laugh or smile. She was telling Honey how everyone wanted her to come home soon and that they were sad. Honey told her that they were worried and that everyone loves her very much. Kokila asked where I was with a sad face. Honey explained that I was very tired, Kokila said it was ok. Kokila asked if I would be there in the morning. Even though Vinita is planning to go, Honey said yes to reassure her. Vinita convinced herself that she needed to deal with the situation and saw a picture of Kokila on Wednesday. It was hard for her, but being the strong woman that she is, she is determined to meet Kokila and face her own fears tomorrow.

Vikas arrived with the medicine at 6:30pm. The nurses curtly took it and said that the fever had reduced and they were about to start the transfusion. She also told everyone to go away except one person – that she would call if anything was needed. This is likely not completely true since they were supposed to call in the afternoon for an update and didn’t. Still, it was already a long day for everyone and waiting seems to be endless and the majority of the time futile. Honey and Vikas returned leaving Kanchan with her lovely daughter at the hospital.

It is currently 8:30pm and the transfusion has been running for an hour and a half of the scheduled 4 hours without call or alarm. No news is good news. Let’s hope the phone doesn’t ring through the whole night…

Thanks for all of your love and support and warm thoughts, Tania

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Our Board of Directors and various committee members have responded beyond our dreams to donate money allowing Kokila's transfer to a Burn Hospital in Mumbai. You will notice from the most recent update Oct. 13, 2011, the challenge now is blood transfusions, and fighting the infections. Kokila will likely be in ICU for 3 weeks to 1 month. Although the Doctor is trying very hard to give us some financial breaks - having us purchase medicine outside the hospital - he is limited in what he can do, and the care is expensive.

If you are able to contribute, thank you - any donation will help. If you are unable to do so, please do not feel bad as we know all of you already help us with the schools. We also welcome your good thoughts and prayers for Kokila.

The best and fastest way for us to help financially is through Canada Helps.Org. We are registered with them and the funds donated will go directly into One's bank account.

Follow this link: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s79287 / Donate Now / Fund designation: Kokila Emergency Relief Fund (cut and paste link)

They accept credit cards and debit cards.
All funds raised will be used for the Kokila Emergency Fund. The costs to date have been almost $3,000.

With deepest and sincerest gratitude.
Marilyn

Philanthropy in India

2011-09-14T23:05:00.000-06:00

I am often asked: "Why do you have to work in India? India is a democracy and is doing extremely well economically. There are at least 55 billionaires in India. Why don't the people of India give to the millions of people who live on less than $1.00 per day?"

There was an article in the Globe and Mail on Wednesday August 24, 2011 that is the best explanation I have come across. The article answers the questions far better than I could, and so I am including a large part of this article written by Amrit Dhillon (Freelance writer in India). I hope it helps you to understand that which, on first look, seems not to be understandable.

For the wealthy, enjoying the fruits of rapid economic growth, charity begins - and stays - at home. .....................

India's growing list of billionaires.....are enjoying the fruits of India's rapid economic growth but have been slow to take up philanthropy.......

Rich Indians prefer to leave their money to their sons and daughters. The reasons for this lack of charity are complex, but one could be the bias in Indian society toward favouring the family over the wider community. If, for example, a cousin or nephew needs money or a job, people will go all out to help, but when faced with a beggar or urchin at the traffic lights, will studiously avert their faces.

India's new super-rich and middle class prefer to give only when they get something in return. They donate generously to temples, mosques and Sikh gurdwaras because they seek to procure their personal salvation. It is to these temples that billionaires and Bollywood stars troop to please the gods and receive a blessing in return for their donations.

While these temples are so fabulously rich they make the Vatican look like a pawnbroker's shop, anyone running a charity in India has a hard time. An acquaintance who runs a home for destitute widows outside New Delhi struggles to persuade affluent Indians even to pay for cows so that she can provide the widows with mild.

The culture of philanthropy has yet to take root in India.......

A second reason for this parsimony could be a deep insecurity. Perhaps, when they know around 600 million of their fellow citizens live on less than a dollar a day, well off Indians living on islands of affluence, are fearful that, one day, through a twist of fate, they too could sink into the sea of poverty around them.

There are plenty of examples of this primeval insecurity. Corrupt Indians never take just "enough" bribes to buy a house or send their children to university. They go on and on accumulating because whatever they squirrel away is just never enough for a rainy day."........

But the insecurity argument might just as easily apply to middle-class families where, if the breadwinner loses a job or falls sick and runs up a huge hospital bill, the risk of sinking into financial trouble is real. It cannot, however, explain the stinginess of the seriously rich.

A more plausible explanation, suggested by Mr. Jhunjhunwala, is that the super-rich are not yet ready to give because they are still preoccupied with getting.

The new wealth is just a generation old, acquired over the past 20 years since India embarked on liberalization. Perhaps new money has to become old money before philanthropy can be taken up. So we'll have to give rich and selfish Indians the benefit of the doubt ... for the moment.

A JEALOUS FLY

2011-08-24T23:46:00.000-06:00

Now I am sure that title has sparked some interest.

As all of you know, English is one of the main subject areas for our students in Mumbai. We are very proud of their development in this area.

Learning a new language has many challenges; in particular, spelling, word placements in sentences, punctuation, to name a few.

The following story was written by one of our star pupils and is written word for word, including all the English spelling mistakes.

Please make note of the "moral of the story".

Mallika has given all of us "food for thought".

Once a pond a time there was one fly and one mackito. Fly was very jealous on mackito. Because mackito gets to drink blood. that why fly was jealous on mackito.

Fly disad to kill mackito because if there is on mackito in the world. They will be King of all incet.

Now all fly goan to finght with mackito. But mackito was very strong.

Because mackito was very stong theat they can beat the fly and fly will die. Now have very big fight and all fly is die.

Because fly was very weak, jealous and stupit. that's why they loss there friend.

We have to thank what we have and that we are.

Volunteers Speak Out ----------- Part Three

2011-06-19T21:49:00.000-06:00

...hard experience for someone who comes from a develop country, very rich in terms of experience and learning, for sure, I think I will recommend to everyone to be able to open their minds, be more tolerant and appreciate what we have. The kids were amazing, full of energy and joy, even in than circumstances, they always teach you the real importance of life. I.P.

Teach them as well the importance of hygiene, despite is quite a challenge and probably not the priority, but will help them a lot in health care, provide them better conditions at the school, ventilation, toilets...and organized,if possible better work structure and previous information to the volunteers. I.P.

Be aware of where are you going to do, volunteer it is not a 'romatice idea' of helping others, some of us can, some others can not deal with it, be aware of your capacities, enthusiasm abut the job and what are you willing to sacrifice, if you still decide to go, search for information and try to stay longer than a month, to be able to learn, teach and know the kids, the other teachers and about the One! and the work they are doing. Over all, I will recommend everyone to go through such an experience, despite the incommodities; I think you learn so much more of what you can provide them in return. I.P.

I think an orientation upon arrival would have helped immensely. I arrived when Tanya was in Canada and I feel that I missed out a bit on how I could have best contributed to the organization. C.L.

Except for the massive and ongoing water shortage .....the accommodation was great and suited the needs and aims of the program. I did not volunteer to teach in Mumbai and expect a single bedroom/five star hotel - and I would have been disgusted to have been given such things! :) C.L.

Most difficult was the heat (I would recommend explaining where to buy oral re-hydration packages to the volunteers) and the general inequality in the treatment of women in India. I was once groped close to the apartment by a random man during broad daylight while walking back from he store with another volunteer - it was a hard situation to get over but in the end it did not tarnish my entire experience. It was a great experience to be so quickly integrated into the One! family and allowed to witness the culture of India from the inside out. C.L.

Speak to a past volunteer! Keep doing what you're doing!! N.J.

Maybe there would have been a good idea more information about how the teaching works. About the different levels, and more exactly what kind of things the kids should learn, just to get started with the teaching a bit faster. E.B.

You are an inspiration. You show both the kids and the volunteers that it's possible to make a difference. E.B.

Be well prepared, be ready to work hard, and don't expect volunteering to be a vacation. E.B.

Preparation. Whoa! This is a tough question to answer but I would say "No". I had been to India before and understood what the culture is like, especially for foreigners, but it was still challenging many times. Regarding One!, I had done my own preparation and talked to teachers about how to manage classes and how to teach. But nothing is a better teacher than real experience and I soon discovered how ill prepared I was. But, One! has in place a volunteer peer system that overlaps the tenures of the volunteers so that new ones learn from he experienced ones about the organization, the city, the accommodations and the culture. Plus, the regular teachers at One! wee always available to help and their efforts were extraordinary. One! also has an excellent support structure via J and A who ensured that volunteers were taken care of. So although I answered that I was not prepared, One! has all of the levers necessary to make the transition and succeed. M.V.

Children. Unbelievable. They gave me far more than I could ever give them. I had an extremely favourable experience with the kids. M.V.

Balance is created by the individual. I found myself working many hours in the evening and several weekends so I didn't have much free time. But it was my choice to do so and never imposed on me. It was not a burden but a labour of love. M.V.

Incredible India! I loved it and many, many times I hated it. However, today, I know I am a better man because of it. M.V.

Strongest Points. People! It is true in any organization. It starts at the top with the leadership. Tania runs a tight ship and it is absolutely necessary. But at the same time,she gives everyone a long leash to improve themselves and the school. She provides infinite support to teachers, staff and volunteers and is even willing to let us fail and help us in order that we can get better. The teachers and support staff are outstanding and took great care to look after the volunteers as did J and A. Integration and acceptance of numerous cultures - India is a xenophobic country. But at One! people were accepting of other cultures and everyone took great efforts to know the individuals and the cultures. Another point I think is so strong is the modesty and honesty of the organization. There is no government support nor do we try to solicit pity. We are there to help these children and their families. And even though One! International may not be recognized by many for our outstanding efforts, the angels in Heaven appreciate us. M.V.

Advice to Future Volunteers.

You are going to learn so much about yourself that you never knew existed. Every day will involve struggles that you never could possibly imagine. But you will learn how to overcome them quickly and be a better person for it. Ask questions and get to know not only your students but the teachers and the staff. They all have remarkable stories and character that will rub off on you. More than anything else, relax, do your best work and enjoy the experience to your fullest because it will go by quickly. M.V.

We would not be able to do the work we do in India without the contributions of the volunteers who give their time and their energy, and come from all over the world to help the One! children and families.
We are so thankful for their contributions and their commitment
to "Making a Difference".

VOLUNTEERS SPEAK OUT PART 2

2011-05-18T15:49:00.000-06:00

Thaya, Marc & Elin

The teachers and staff are very caring and understanding and try to help the volunteers in any capacity possible (when they are not too shy to talk to them.). Shawn.B.

I think the quality can improve if volunteers are more diligent in writing their lesson plans and if they take tome the first few days they arrive to lay out curriculum for the next week or two so as to avoid planning spur of the moment lessons. Leah.H.

I thought it was amazing, challenging, and unforgettable experience. Far from easy a lot of the time, I wouldn't change my decision to go there at all. .......if you have extra volunteers have them tutor some of the older students in English; they are all doing well, but with more one-on-one attention,they could really thrive. Leah.H.

Fantastic students who make you feel very appreciated. Amy.N.

That was the highlight of the experience. I enjoyed the 5 days a week and occasional Saturday. It was the most precious of experiences. K.N.

I think the curriculum that Tania and her team have established is at a strong level......Learning and growing intellectually, but also socially and personally, this is so much more important for them.

It is such an amazing experience. There's no comparison really. It must be lived to understand what it is, and what it is nothing like we experience in North America. It has changed my perceptions of basic needs and consumption.

Your strongest points are the sense of community created between the staff, the kids, and the volunteers.

Be prepared to have a mind altering and life changing experience. go with an open mind and an open heart. K.N.

It was nice to feel you were making a difference to people's lives through experience, rather than just sticking your hands in your pocket.
I think One! International needs to make sure it gets more commitment out of volunteers though. People need to realize that they are being put up for free by a charity and that a couple of weeks teaching isn't really enough. I think for what you offer volunteers, you should make them sign up for 3 months volunteering minimum.
Loved it. Miss it every day of my life - wish I could go back.
What you offer volunteers is unique and you should be proud of it. when I was looking for charity work, there was no avenue for someone like me who wants to make a difference but has no money. I also really wanted a hand-on experience and this is very difficult to find. You gave me a chance to feel I'd made a difference to the lives of some exceptional people, without charging me an extortionate amount like most charities. Zoe S.

Family oriented feel of the organization. Plenty of support and understanding for someone who is new to the country and the experience. Nassim J.

'The kids at One! are truly beautiful and they amaze me in that they can come to school each day with a big smile for you even though their home life is so very dismal and at times abusive. They have an amazing quality that enable them to just be in the moment and not burden themselves with the overwhelming conditions and atmosphere at home. I suppose this comes about more so from a need to survive on a daily basis where you cannot dwell on what has happened in the past but to focus on where your next meal is going to come from! It seems there is always a lesson about life to learn here and the chance to reflect on the abundances that we enjoy or seem 5o require in order for us to find happiness. Perry W.

I loved spending time with the children!. I think one of the best moments was when I did the home visits with Vinita. I thought it was really interesting to put everything in perspective and see where these kids were really coming from. I was so grateful that the families were willing to share their experiences with me. Sofie M.

My experience at the school cannot be described as anything less than wonderful. The children were really eager to learn, and everyone, children and faculty, was kind and helpful.. My coworkers quickly became my friends, and the children unfortunately became like my own. The school in Mumbai is more like a home for a family, and you cannot help but put a piece of your heart in it. Georgianna

Georgianna went on to say " It is my opinion that the teachers there are not used to being leaders of others: They are only capable of self-leadership. The teachers are the spirit of the school and I feel that everything will pick up in pace if they improve their leadership skills." Georgianna will be pleased to know that the teachers are now taking leadership roles in most areas of the school - they have grown in confidence and skills since 2007.

My first day working at the school I noticed a little girl named Piyu. She was so tiny...though she was 3 years old, because of malnutrition she looked only about one. She sat i the corner staring into space, barely able to move or emote at all because she had no energy or strength. Three month later when I was getting ready to leave, she was starting to talk, laugh, and even dance with the other children. It was in watching her that I realized that it does not take anything enormous to make a huge impact in the life of a child. Simple things we take for granted in the first world like basic meals, vitamins, and even love can make a child who can barely move dance.! ..............
Being part of One! has been such a special experience in my life. Not everyday was filled with the "warm fuzzy feeling" I had expected to feel helping out in India. Some days could be very frustrating when the kids didn't feel like listening, or when they got sick, or when the heat was unbearable. It is easy to feel discouraged in India because for every child you help, you will see 5 more on the street who need help. I love the idea of One! International: if you can make a change for just one child at a time, you have indeed made a difference. The love that I felt from the children was such a gift. They taught me so much about life: how little you really need to survive, how simple things can bring so much joy, and how small actions really can make a hug difference. Erica V.

IT'S ALL FOR THE CHILDREN.
THEY MAKE EVERYTHING WORTHWHILE

PART 3 coming soon.

VOLUNTEERS SPEAK OUT

2011-04-27T22:10:00.000-06:00

Some time ago I promised to share with you some of the comments - positive and food for thought - volunteers have shared with us following their volunteer experience with One! in Mumbai, India.

We do have a Volunteer Feedback Form which I try to remember to send out a couple of times each year to the volunteers who have been in India during the previous 6 months to a year. We ask for feedback on: preparation for the experience, overall experience regarding accommodation, time with children, education children are receiving, improvement areas for the organization, advice for future volunteers and any other comments they want to share with us.

I thought I would review my notes and do a blog. Well - I think I will need a few blogs.

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The above picture of Alysha is an appropriate way to start this series of blogs. It is an old picture taken in 2007.
Alysha has just returned to Canada from her third volunteer trip to Mumbai.
This time her trip was very special.
Alysha and her friend Jenny, both of whom are senior experienced nurses, completed a Health Needs Assessment of 216 children and 71 adults in the two school communities. Most of the assessments were done in Nallasopara, a community with very little access to any health services. Alysha and Jenny have given One! a gold mine of health and family information which will assist in helping the families to achieve greater health and wellness in the time to come.

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A group of staff and volunteers during Holi Festival (Festival of colours)

The following comments are in no particular date order, although I will attempt to go from older ones to the more recent ones.

On my first day at Khar school I was really nervous, would the children like me? Would the teachers like me? Would I be good enough at teaching the subjects? Would anyone understand me? It turned out my teaching abilities surprised me, I felt like although I was not there for very long I definitely noticed improvements in the children's English language and even in the teacher's! The children are the funniest, liveliest, most loving children I have ever met. Despite making my job difficult at times (like any children/teenagers) having strops and getting frustrated, most of the time they were so excited about learning it warmed my heart and made me even more determined to leave my mark on the school. I'm not sure now that I did do that but I hope the children look back and if they do remember me that they remember me fondly as I do of them. The Nallasopara school was another challenge for me. Working with my best friend helped a lot! At times it was very frustrating as we had to try and implement new strategies that the children weren't used to, but they soon came round and enjoyed their new regime, especially exercise and drama! I hope to return to both schools and see the improvements in the schools as a whole and the individuals within. I will never forget my experiences with One! International, they have made me a better person; a more open minded, appreciative individual. Lu

Lu wrote the above early in 2008 and is returning to India to see the improvements and progress of the children in November of 2011.

------------------------------------------

The following quote was written by a young man who was 15 at the time he worked at the school. He was visiting family in India and only able to volunteer for a short time. He is returning to India as an 18year old this coming summer. He is thinking that he wants to devote his future to some area of education as he has come to realize it's importance in making changes in the world.

I am at loss of words from the brief volunteering I did. ...........the memories and the gratitude will last a life time. I still marvel at the genuine affection and intelligence of the children who became not only my students but also my friends and companions who were there to help and offer encouragement at any time. One of the things I appreciated the most about this trip was that I felt that I learned more than I thought. More than the Math and the English I taught, the perseverance and the genuine happiness they shared with me taught me something I could never learn from any teacher, parent, or even a chemistry test. I would really like to thank you for this once in a lifetime opportunity. ..............................................You have opened my eyes unlike any other thing I have witnessed before. ............I look forward to working and sharing that wondrous experience again in the near future.

Anjan will be getting his wish in the summer of 2011. This time his younger sister will also be volunteering.

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Shawn used his volunteer feedback form to make a few suggestions that have been acted on since he was there in 2009. I think he will notice some positive changes when he returns - more full time teachers and a volunteer coordinator.

If hiring multiple full-time teachers is not possible, maybe one position should be created where one teacher is completely in charge of volunteer training. Since volunteers are relied upon greatly to teach the subject matter the kids are supposed to learn every semester, maybe it would help if there was one full-time staff member that knew what was going on at all times and could help the transition of one volunteer to another ( in the sense that they could tell the new volunteer where the old one left off in terms of what has been taught and what needs to be taught. ).....................................I'm Indian, so I'm biased.....but I loved it. I'm going back to visit/teach in the school every chance I get.

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I will close this blog with Leah's comment. Leah went on to do a cross US bike ride fundraiser for One! We are so fortunate that volunteers continue to be actively involved with supporting One! International after they return home from their experiences. Their assistance and commitment to the children they taught helps us to make positive changes in the organization, and help more children.

I thought it was amazing, challenging, and unforgettable experience. Far from easy a lot of the time, I wouldn't change my decision to go there at all.

CANADIAN NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK

2011-04-10T23:06:00.000-06:00

You Never Know

By Helen L. Marshall

You never know when someone

May catch a dream from you

You never know when a little word

Or something you may do

May open up the windows

Of a mind that seals a light

The way you love, may not matter at all

But you never know, it might.

And just in case it could be

That another's life, through you

Might possibly change for the better

With a broader and brighter view

It seems it might be worth a try

At pointing the way to the right

Of course it may not matter at all,

But then again…it might

This coming week is National Volunteer Week in Canada. I wanted to come up with a special way of saying Thank You to all the volunteers that are committed to the children of One! International in Mumbai, India.
Everything I thought of seemed not quite enough.

          Our volunteers in Canada believe in the words of the above poem. They believe in
          Tania Spilchen's mantra of " One person - helping one child - can make a difference".

          People may not realize that One! International does not have any paid staff in Canada.
          All of the work - Board, financial, administration, event planning, and all other areas - is
          accomplished by the dedicated work of numerous volunteers.

THANK YOU

One! International in India would not be able to accomplish all the wonderful work with

the children and families in Mumbai without the dedication of the

Canadian Volunteers.

The following anonymous poem seems to say it all, and is a reminder to all of us.

THE POWER OF ONE

One child can spark a moment

One flower can wake a dream

One tree can start a forest

One bird can herald spring

One smile begins a friendship

One hand clasp lifts a soul

One star can guide a ship at sea

One work can frame the goal

One vote can change a nation

One sunbeam lights a room

One candle wipes out darkness

One laugh will conquer gloom

One step must start each journey

One word must start each prayer

One hope will raise our spirits

One touch can show, "I care"

One voice can speak with wisdom

One heart can know it's true

One life CAN make a difference

Each day it's up to YOU!

In a future blog I will talk about all the wonderful volunteers in India and the ones who travel to India from all over the world to help our children and their families. One! International depends on all of the volunteers in India and in Canada.

Once again THANK YOU - ALL OF YOU 

ART CONTEST by The Children of One!

2011-03-29T13:20:00.000-06:00

We have started a tradition at our One! International Galas in Edmonton.

Last year in January of 2010, in partnership with the Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace, our children were asked to draw "What does non-violence mean to you." We were thrilled at the art works the children produced, as well as their thoughtful portrayal of non-violent concepts. At the Gala we asked all the attendees to vote for the picture they thought best exemplified the non-violence theme.

The first three place winners received a small prize, and all the students at the two schools received art lessons. Attendees commented, in the after Gala survey, that they thought the exercise was a good one to bring India and the children closer to Canada and the sponsors.

"One! believes that every child can be inspired through creativity. Learning to express oneself, helps develop self respect and confidence." (Julie H.)

This year on One!'s 10th year anniversary 29 January 2011, the children were asked to draw what 'Happiness" means to them.

Once again, the attendees at the Gala were asked to place their vote for the painting that best represented the concept of happiness. I think happiness is a little harder to pin down, but the children did a magnificent job in their efforts.

This year, the paintings were framed before they were displayed for voting, and were available for purchase after the evenings events. In addition, were possible, a picture of the child artist was put on the back of the painting. Fifteen of the twenty paintings in the contest were sold for twenty dollars each.

Two special paintings were put in the Silent Auction part of the evening instead of the contest: One!s resident artist Sunil's painting, and One!'s blind student Rohit's painting. The one is "too good", and the other received "a little bit of help". Between the two of them, they raised $82.00 for the schools both are so very proud to be a part of.

Sunil - One!s Resident Artist

Rohit - Step 7 - Age 11 (blind)

ALL OTHER PICTURES (Prior to them being framed)

Ramoo - Step 10 - Age 17

Karan - Step 7 - Age 12

Vandana - Step 2 - Age 6

Ashish - Step 8 - Age 16

2nd Place
Sunil - Step 6 - Age 14

Parvati - Step 2 - Age 7

Ekta - Step 8 - Age 15

Navrit S. - Step 7 - Age 13

Omprakash - Step 5 - Age 10

Vipin - Step 4 - Age 8

Shashikant - Step 7 - Age 14

Ramesh - Step 10 - age 17

Sanjana - Step 4 - Age 9

3rd Place
Ashish - Step 8 - Age 16

Ramoo - Step 10 - Age 17

1st Place
Laxmi - Step 9 - Age 11

Saydha - Step 1 - Age 5

Gautham - Step 1 - Age 5

Shivkant - Step 5 - Age 11

Shabnam - Step 1 - Age 5

One of our Canadian volunteers Paragi bought one of the framed
paintings and has proudly displayed her picture
for all those who visit her office to see.

I hope you have enjoyed the art work of our students in India.
We think they are quite talented.
If you have any ideas for next year's theme, please let us know.

World Water Day

2011-03-22T21:34:00.000-06:00

Today is World Water Day, and although I don't like to copy the work of others, I think today it may be forgiven.

Most of our One! International families have trouble getting fresh, clean drinking water.
Most of our families drink or cook with water that is not considered drinkable by Western standards.
Many of our children walk through polluted standing water that contains many diseases to get to school.
Most of our families do not have access to proper plumbing to meet their hygiene needs.
Malaria is common within our family communities.

Many would not think that Canada would have any problems with access to safe drinking water, but that is not the case. Many of our Aboriginal communities have no better access to proper drinking water than do our Indian slum communities.
In addition to that, we were informed today on many radio broadcasts, that if we do not take proper measures to protect public access to our water, we will have increasing problems as years go by.

I will let the following quote speak for itself.

"World Water Day 2011

A message from Maude Barlow

Dear friends,

Today is World Water Day and a time to reflect on the gift of water that sustains all life on Earth. While many have access to clean safe drinking water, millions do not. We must come together this World Water Day to commit to a new relationship with water. We must conserve it, restore watersheds, protect source water from pollution – pollution must be viewed as a criminal act – and share it more equitably for all humans, for the future and for other species as well.

Modern humans see water as a great big resource for our pleasure, convenience and profit and not as the essential element of a living ecosystem that gives us all life - so we pollute it. We dump an amount of industrial and human waste into the watersheds every year equivalent to the combined weight of all humanity. We pump water from watersheds and rivers into mega cities where, if they are anywhere near the ocean, it is then dumped as waste – a major cause of rising oceans. We grow crops with flood irrigation in deserts. We poison water with mining, nuclear, fracking and tar sands production. We let water drain away from ancient rusting pipes because we have "run out of money" for public infrastructure.

The United Nations has recognized water and sanitation as a human right, which means that every government must now come up with a plan of action based on the "Obligation to Protect, Respect, and Fulfill" this right. We expect no less from the Harper government[Canada]. The United Nations must also turn its attention to water conservation and watershed restoration, and to finding ways to make water a means of peace, not conflict.

We must also declare water to be a common heritage, a public trust and a public service, and we need to support the government of Bolivia in its new move to declare that water must be protected as a public right and not allowed to be delivered on a for-profit basis by the private sector. We need water for life. Water can teach us how to live in harmony with one another and more lightly on this Earth if we have eyes to see and ears to hear.

Maude Barlow

National Chairperson, The Council of Canadians

March 22, 2011"

Let's make sure we do not add to the world water shortage.
Let's make sure we respect the life sustainability of water.
Let's do our part to protect the world's most valuable resource.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

2011-03-12T16:06:00.000-07:00

International Women's Day celebrated it's 100th Anniversary on 8 March 2011. The very first day was celebrated on the 19th of March 1911. My comments will be sort of in the middle of these two dates.

Since it was first celebrated Western women have gained many rights: voting rights, rights around the institution of marriage, employment rights, reproduction rights.

Many of these changes have occurred in the last fifty years. In the 1960's working women were expected to leave their employment when they became pregnant. In the 1970's when I had my children, women in Canada received eight weeks unemployment insurance benefits and if they were lucky three months off work. Now, both men and women are able to take paid time from work to celebrate the birth of children and bond with them.

"When biology no longer determines destiny, any destiny becomes possible." - Margaret Wente

"If you are a [Western] woman reading this newspaper today, you are singularly blessed. You belong to the freest, most educated, and most affluent group of women in all of human history." - Margaret Wente, Globe And Mail, March 8, 2011.

There is no doubt that women have much to celebrate. However, let us not forget that women in the 'developing' world are not as lucky as we are. And, let's not forget that, even in the western world, many crimes are centered on women; Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse.

We need to celebrate - yes. But, there is still much work to be done.

In the same copy of the Globe And Mail referenced above, Stephanie Nolen tells the following story.

" Two weeks ago, in India's rural province of Rajasthan, I met low-caste girls whose mothers had defied their fathers to insist they go to school. The girls had turned up on the dot of 9 a.m., their worn uniforms well pressed, their hair slicked down. But, they sat alone and in the dark, because they were too short to reach up and open the shutters, and their teachers had not come - because only women deign to teach in a low-caste girls school, and the teachers can't bear the sexual harassment they face when they take public transport, which is all they can afford, to get to work. The girls sat in quiet rows with their books open, trying to sound out words, lips working, fingers sliding along the tattered pages.
There is a universality to sexual harassment, to sexual violence, to the struggle for reproductive rights, and to the more quotidian question of how to work and care for children and older family members. Women in the developed world see this."

The issues in the developing world for women and girls are far more intense.

One! International tries to make a difference for women and girls. The girls are encouraged to attend the schools in the same way the boys are. The major reason One! provides care for pre-school children, is to enable the girls to attend school, and enable the mothers in the family to work. One! also hires the older girls and mothers to do various tasks around the school. In this way they learn work skills.

We hope that "our" girls will pass on to their children, a love of education and a belief that there are options for them beyond housekeeping and motherhood.

We believe that education is the key to change.

We hope that there will be a International Women's Day in the future that is truly international.

BUY A BRICK - BUILD THE FUTURE

2011-03-04T13:17:00.000-07:00

At the 10th Anniversary Gala on 29 January 2011, our theme was "Honour The Past, Live in The Present, Create The Future".

As part of the "Create The Future" section of the evening, we introduced a new program called

"Buy A Brick - Build The Future".

Board and Bricks Developed in India for the Gala

Through generous donations from people at the Gala, we were able to raise over $10,000 towards the
Goal of $50,000.00.

BACKGROUND

Mumbai is a city of officially 15 million people, and unofficially over 20 million people. It is made up of seven small islands and land is at a premium. Its real estate values are the 5th highest in the world (next to cities like New York, Hong Kong, Tokyo).

Nallasopara is a suburb just outside the city limits. One! International currently teaches 220 children in a rented Nallasopara School, and there is scope to grow exponentially every year. With landlords exploiting tenants and not providing the required maintenance and upgrades, One! constantly struggles to balance the needs of the children, the rising costs and the need for adequate teaching space.

In 2007, One! International was renting 200 sq. ft. of teaching space in Nallasopara for approximately $15 per month. At that time it could be owned for approximately $3,000. Only 3 years later, the rent for the same 200 sq. ft was approximately $50 and it could be owned for approximately $10,000. Today, with the growing demand for poverty relief and education, One! International currently requires 1000 sq. ft. of teaching space.

Inflation is extremely high and each year prices continue to balloon. The cost of land has spun out of control – and pushed rent prices up too. One! International has chosen to act now, to build a future for the children.

With your generous assistance, in its 10th anniversary year, One! International would like to purchase 2000 sq. ft. of land and build a 1000 sq. ft. school – to meet immediate needs, and with ample room for expansion. It is estimated that the cost of the land and school will be approximately $50,000, which is the goal of One! International’s “Buy a Brick – Build the Future” Campaign.

For more information contact: Marilyn Spilchen, Manager, Finance & Administration
Email: MarilynSpilchen@aol.com Telephone: (780) 467.6254

Thank you for your support.
Together, we can create a future for the children of One! International.

Riding India's Trains: 101

2011-02-21T10:58:00.001-07:00

We were really lucky to have two volunteers - Thaya and Marc - with us in India for six months and five months respectively, from August to February 2011. The consistency was wonderful for the children and the organization.

One of the volunteers was Marc Valentin. When Marc left at the beginning of February 2011 he said:

"I have to thank you for giving me this incredible opportunity. Not only are you and Tania changing the lives of the kids, teachers and India, but you are also changing the lives of volunteers. ..............Completely unexpected [changes] as well as learning many more diplomacy, creativity and survivor skills. Thank you for that."

Marc also gave me permission to use an article he wrote for a travel website in 2005 on a previous trip to India. I think everyone will find the article humorous; but for those of you who have travelled the rails in India in economy class, you will identify completely with the description.

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April 23, 2005

Riding India's trains: 101

By MARCEL VALENTIN -- Special to Canoe Travel

Nothing says more about India than taking one of their magnificent trains.

A legacy of the British Raj, the train system is expansive and efficient. You can set your watch by it.

The train serves two purposes in this country. The first is to ferry foreigners like me all over the country to various sites. The second is to transport Indians to the place in the country that is furthest away from their home so that they can attend a wedding.

Chatting with our fellow train travelers, everyone is going to a wedding and it's usually for someone they don't know.

"Yes, my mother-in-law's neighbour two doors down has a man who delivers milk and that man's uncle comes from the same village that his father came from and his father's father came from. Now his father's father sold a Pepsi to a taxi wallah. It is his daughter who is getting married. Would you like to come? The wedding is rather short at only four days, but I am sure that you will have a wonderful time."

Seriously, everyone is going to a wedding and complete strangers invited us to weddings of people that we and they don't know.

Now, this next subject is rather delicate and you may want to skip it. If so, then I'll say thanks for reading up to here and good bye.

However, if you are planning a trip to India and planning to take the train, then you MUST read this! You are going to have to know this. It involves a rather delicate matter and that is going to the bathroom on an Indian train.

First, let's back up a bit. We hopped on board at Mumbai's Lokmanya Tilak station and departed. We chatted with fellow passengers for awhile, munched on some delicious naan that we bought at the station and sat in the train's open doors, blissfully watching the green hills roll away as we chugged through the countryside.

Well, nature eventually came a calling. When the train stopped at the next station, I got up, stretched and sauntered over to the two closets that are at the end of each car. I slowly opened the closet door and was amazed how bright it was.

I was a little pensive at first because the fixture I was most concerned about did not have the familiar American Standard or Crane logos embossed across it.

In fact, I was astonished to realize that the source of the bright light was a hole in the floor that looked down to the tracks. On either side of the hole were two stainless steel footrests that looked remarkably like the pictures of Neil Armstrong's footprint on the moon.

So, I took my one small step (trust me, it was a giant leap for me) and adjusted myself so that each foot was firmly planted. Hey! This isn't so bad after all.

After a few moments, the train lurched forwards with a big jerk (no, not me). Whoa! Okay. That's not so bad. Just a little bump in the road.

But the bumps progressively became more and more frequent. By this time, the train was picking up speed and I was relying on my shins to absorb the lateral motion of the accelerating train. As the train picked up speed, my thighs kicked into action to absorb the up and down motion. It felt very similar to riding a horse.

A small sweat broke out on my brow. Hmmm. If that one-eyed fellow could ride Sea Biscuit to victory, then I can still do this. Faster and faster. Okay. I got the hands up in front of my face for more balance.

By this time, the train was racing down the tracks at full speed. STOP THE TRAIN!!! PLEASE!!! My backside was pumping up and down like an oil well on steroids and whenever I looked behind to check on Secretariat, my eyes focused on my wallet and passport dangling out of my back pocket about to be sucked down into the bright light.

PLEASE! SHIVA, LORD OF YOGA... FIND ME A NEW POSITION! I was balling my eyes out at this time, but I was coming down the home stretch praying that the grey water swirling around in the sink would cease splashing onto me.

Finally, I crossed the finish line. Okay. Now some toilet paper and I can get out of this hellish position. Hmmmm, none beside or behind me. Is it above the sink? WHERE IS THE TOILET PAPER?!!

Well, Indian trains have none. As shocking and terrifying as that was, my heart literally froze as I came to the realization that the water tap, which was about two feet off of the floor, was not a drinking fountain. I'd have to deal with that unsettling realization later.

Next problem. Each Indian note has Mahatma Gandhi on it. He has this cherubic smile and I couldn't deface him in this way. So I tore him off a few notes and shoved him in my pocket. However, I couldn't help but think that he was saying, "All my life, I have shunned material possessions and non-violence. But you, my stupid Canadian friend, and your toilet paper... I would have you shot dead like a dog in the street."

The deed done, I gathered what was left of my pride and quickly scurried out the door and back to my seat.

My partner noticed my abnormal silence and asked, "Why are you blinking? How was it?" What else could I tell her but, "If you don't bring a roll of T.P., then it quickly becomes a pay toilet."

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Thank you Marc for your dedication to the One! children.

Thank you for sharing your story.

One! International 10th Anniversary Gala

2011-02-05T00:36:00.000-07:00

I must first apologize for being such a tardy blogger.
The Gala took all extra time for the month of January.

I still don't have time to write - but - I thought I would share with you some of the wonderful pictures from the Gala.
Enjoy.

Honour the Past Live in the Present Create the Future.

This was the theme for the evening on the actual date of the 10 year Anniversary of One! International - January 29, 2011. We honoured the past accomplishments of One!. We had a wonderful evening in the present. We began to create the future with our new program "Buy a Brick, Build the Future".

Tania and her papa watching the video of congratulations from the staff in India.

George presented her with the flowers. The presentation from her dad and the greetings from India were surprises. You can tell by the grin on her face, she was very pleased and happy.

Tania and a small entranced supporter - Oceanne - watching the dances.

Taya showing off the art contest. All twenty of the featured art in the contest, and two paintings in the silent auction were completed by the children in India - aged 5 to 21.

Our wonderful new mom, and previous volunteer in India, emcee Amy.

She did an incredible job of keeping the audience excited.

Edwina and Norman showing off the "Buy a Brick - Build the Future" poster.

The building had over 65 bricks of various denominations ($50, $100, $500, $1000) on it by night end. (more info in a future blog)

The beautiful Erica who sang her One! Thank You song and the Chalo Chalo (Wacka Wacka) song accompanied by a video of the children in India, and some impromptu dancers in the crowd.

Three of our beautiful young volunteers.

The incredible Julie with guests Hemant and Rashmi.

Taya and Harper being interviewed about how young people in Canada can help young people in India.

Some of the young dancers of Sharara Entertainment who entertained the crowd.

A future One! supporter.

Tania and Marilyn with Jitendra (Chair of the Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace)

We will be putting more pictures and videos on the web page in the near future. The Gala was a huge success. The energy in the room was electric. We were so pleased to have so many people present to share the 10 Anniversary of One! International.

SEVEN GREAT IDEAS

2011-01-15T19:55:00.000-07:00

On January 29, 2011, One! International Poverty Relief will be celebrating it's 10th year anniversary. We have a big Gala planned for the evening. We are very excited about the evening and celebrating the successes of the last 10 years. There will be 500 people at the Gala to honour the past 10 years of "Making a Difference" in the lives of children and their families in Mumbai, India.

This celebration would not be happening if it were not for the great idea that Tania Spilchen had in the summer of 2000.

Tania personifies the following article written by Lou Tice of The Pacific Institute.

---------------------------------------------

              There is nothing in the world more powerful than a good idea.
               For over 30 years, I have been traveling all over the world,
               teaching people how to break through self doubt, get rid of
               unfulfilling lifestyles and achieve success. Here are seven
               ideas that can turn you into a super-achiever, if you will
               only use them.

First, becoming your best self is a choice you make.

Second, change happens through action and the understanding

that we create our future.

Third, dwell on your strengths, use them constantly, and watch them grow.

Fourth, embracing fear is not a one-time event, but it gets easier

the more you do it.

Fifth, procrastination does not exist.

What exists is a passive choice to do nothing.

Sixth, believe in the importance of your ideas, and your ability

to bring them into reality.

And, seventh, refuse to give up. Persist in the face of all opposition,

every setback, and be totally, 100% committed

to bringing about the end-result you desire.

              Commitment is an incredible, potent force that will bring to you
              all sorts of resources you may have never realized were there.
              Ideas like these turn lives around. I can't tell you how many times
              I've seen it happen to people who thought their lives were hopeless.
              Why not get rid of the thoughts that are keeping you down and
              choose thoughts to become your best self? The most powerful
              words in the world are,

"I have a great idea!"

----------------------------------------

Tania had a great idea, and on January 29, 2011 we will get together - all 500 of us - to celebrate Tania's idea, the commitment of hundreds of people all over the world who believed and still believe in her idea, and the hundreds of children and families whose lives have been turned around by Tania taking the necessary actions to bring her idea into reality.

Why Do The Children of Mumbai Need Our Help

2011-01-04T01:06:00.000-07:00

                               Every apple is a part of the orchard.
                                                  Holly Schoenecker.

People often ask why a democratic country with a thriving economy needs help to provide education and health for its children.

On Saturday October 2, 2010 the Toronto Star newspaper devoted its entire edition to India.

The UN Development Program Gender Inequality Index has been released.

The following snippets of information have been taken from these two sources, and hopefully will give some understanding of the issues for the poor in India.

        "India[the world's largest democracy], an emerging economy, and  geopolitical giant, might overtake China economically within two decades."

        "Whatever is true of India, the exact opposite is almost always also true......Efficiency and chaos. Secularism and sectarianism. Wealth and poverty. Hope and despondency. Gandhian non-violence and murderous frenzy. Humanity and cruelty. Exploitation and generosity. Piety and prostitution. Dedicated indigenous NGO's and corrupt politics.
That's India."

        "[India].....has the world's largest number of poor. About 600 million survive on less than $2 per day. About 65 million live in slums. About 1.75 million children die before reaching their first birthday. Nearly 45% of children are malnourished. About 160 million kids are not in school. "

These figures are probably low as there is a large population that is not counted in any population records. For example, less than 5% of our children and families have any identification and thus are not counted.

India has the largest number of poor.
        "1/3 of all people in the world living without basic necessities is an Indian national."

The population of India is 1.19 billion.
This is two times the population of the United States.(645 million)
This is 20 times the Canadian population.

India is rated #122 out of 138 countries on health issues.

India is rated #119 out of 169 countries overall in Human Development.

India is in the top 10 countries in income growth.

70% of Hindi girls marry under the age of 18.

Mumbai, India has real estate values in the top five of world cities.
Even though many residents live on less than $2 per day, some food staples are similar to those in North America.

        In 2005, 2 million, 300 thousand children aged 1 to 5 years of age died.
>60% died from: pneumonia, prematurity, low birth weight, diarrhoeal diseases, neonatal infections, birth asphyxia, and birth trauma.
Each of these major causes of death could be prevented/and/or/treated.

        Many girl babies are aborted, and/or receive less health services as there is still a high social preference for boys.

       "India is saddled with the highest burden of tuberculosis - with nearly 2 million new cases recorded in 2009."
[above three paragraphs from The Times of India, Mumbai, Saturday, November 13, 2010]

There are other facts and information that could be shared, but I hope you have a better idea of some of the issues facing "our families" at One! International.

Organizational Changes for One! International

2010-12-15T12:26:00.000-07:00

"Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things

brought together." -Vincent Van Gogh

Starting in January 2010, One! International began a process to brainstorm, examine, input into, the organizational structure of One!

The idea was to consider making changes that would help with the future planning and sustainability of the organization.

Three facilitated sessions were attended by over 15 people committed to the work One! is doing in India, and wanting to help move the organization forward into the future.

At the end of June 2010, a draft structure and list of short and long term priorities were presented to the Board of Directors for their approval.

The Board made some minor amendments, but the essence of the work done in the planning sessions was approved.

The two documents - Organizational Structure, and Short and Long Term Priorities - will form the basics for the organization on both sides of the world for the immediate future. As with all documents of a similar nature, amendments will need to be made over time as new information becomes available.

One! International is very lucky to have such a wonderful group of people who are committed to the sustainability of the work being done in Mumbai with the children and their families.

We are in the process of adding names to the boxes. For example, Wendy Davis has agreed to manage the Give-A-Child-A-Chance Program, and changes are underway.

We are also recruiting members for the Priorities and Strategic Management Committee.

Exciting times for One! International.

" Goals provide the nudge that keeps the slothful from becoming too comfortable."

- Holly Schoenecker

SPORTS DAY

2010-11-29T23:38:00.000-07:00

Thursday November 18, 2010 was One!International Sports Day.

The Nallasopara children were bused down to meet the Khar children; the field at St. Andrew's was rented; games were decided on; children were assigned to "Houses"; a meal was arranged for after the games; bananas and biscuits were purchased for snack; all was ready.

What a great day. The children responded enthusiastically to the new challenges of Limbo and Line Ball Throw, as well as the old favourites of Sack Race and Long Jump.

One of the highlights was the Wheelbarrow race between the staff and volunteers, and of course the always necessary cricket game.

The Rabbit Race

Rohit (blind) doing the Balance a Frisbee on the Head Race.

Limbo - one of the very best

Bean Bag Throw

The Sack Race

Nutrition Snack Break

Tania Didi Bowling for the Cricket Game - apparently not that well.

Ready for the Ball

Wow - Good form

A great time was had by all.

One of Our First Families @ ONE!

2010-11-24T03:14:00.000-07:00

To Teach is to Learn Twice.

- Joseph Joubert

One of Our First Families: Rekha, Raju, Rajeshree, Bhajeshree, Nitin,
and

Nitesh

I remember my second trip to India, the first after One! International became a reality.

Tania had rented a school room in the local municipal school near the temporary houses. The houses were on the side of Carter Road between the road and the sea.

At that time Nitin was a baby. Tania had hired Rekha to keep the school clean. This job entailed sweeping the floor and taking the garbage out. I watched her for a few days push the dirt and papers around on the floor, making little real difference. One day I got down on the floor and started to clean up the papers and garbage under the desks and in the corners. That seemed to have an effect and her efforts were a little more energetic for the next few days.

Each time I visited Mumbai on subsequent trips Rekha's performance was better and better and she started to take on more responsible tasks.

Now I am not going to say that Rekha is now perfect - but the improvement and growth is quite phenomenal. She still has her bad days when she doesn't show up for work, or the days she shows up a bit "under the influence", but these days are less frequent.

The biggest change is the pride she has in doing a good job. Now, she not only sweeps up all the garbage on the floor, she gets into the corners and under the furniture and then washes the floor completely. She takes pride in cooking good nutritious meals for the children and staff. Her children are doing well at their studies - she is a good role model for them.

Rekha and her family have come a long way from the days on Carter Road.

Lessons on Non Violence

2010-11-18T23:35:00.000-07:00

The direct use of force is such a poor solution to any problem, it is generally employed only by small children and large nations.

- David Friedman

Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best.

- Bob Talbert

The two schools in India, teach non violence and have a zero tolerance regarding physical violence of any kind.

Any incident that does occur is used for teaching.

The other day two of our "little" girls (about 10 years old) were lectured.

Kajol became annoyed - we do not know why - and hit Payal. Payal hit Kajol back. Since Payal is stronger than Kajol, Kajol was the one who was crying.

Payal is the type of child who faces life head on. Down she came to the office to see Tania Didi. She proceeded to explain that Kajol had hit her, and ............. "What am I supposed to do Didi?"

The perfect opportunity for a lesson.

Of course, Kajol also came down to the office - along with all of her siblings for support - to tell her story.

Another opportunity for a lesson.

It certainly was Payal's day for altercations. In the afternoon, the girls were outside playing skipping rope. Radha got a little too close while Payal was skipping, and was hit by the rope. Even before Radha had a chance to complain, Payal was in the office.

"This is sthe way it is Didi. When I'm skipping, people should stand back. They shouldn't come too close and get hit. It's not my fault Didi if they do."

One must admit - there certainly is some logic there.

CHANGES FROM FEBRUARY 2008

2010-11-12T02:34:00.000-07:00

Monday November 1, 2010 was Teachers Day for the One! Professional staff and the Client staff of both schools. Exams were the week before and everyone was breathing a sigh of relief.

Discussions centered on: preparations for the annual concert for parents and friends of One!, to be held on November 21, 2010, Sports Day taking place on Thursday November 18, the annual "out of town" trip to Gujarat this year on December 12-15, 2010, and the new school semester starting November 23, 2010

At the end of the meeting Tania asked me to share my thoughts about the changes I see from my previous trip in February 2008.

Wow, were do I start and how do I cover everything?
I will do what I can.

There are certainly more children. There are more staff, both professional and client staff.
There has been an incredible amount of organization in all areas of the organization in India.
Curriculum is developed in most areas. One of the current volunteers is developing curriculum for Physical Education as well.
The office is well organized and resources readily accessible for the staff.
The books have been catalogued
Through generous donations from the American School here in Mumbai, white boards have replaced almost all of the chalk boards. They are cleaner and healthier.
There is excellent involvement in discussions from most staff. This will increase as new staff feel more comfortable and realize that serious consideration is given to their comments and suggestions.
Teachers are learning "how to teach" in different ways than the rote teaching which is common in India.
Tania sets a great example for encouraging involvement by all staff.
The senior staff of Vinita, Mahendra, Vijay, and Chitra provide excellent role models for work ethic and the promotion of the "One! International Family" which we believe in.
The Saturday field trip was well organized and the children very well behaved.
The 'junior' client staff are incredible for their for their age. They are very grown up; they take their responsibilities very seriously and work very had. They provide incredible role models for the younger children.
The client moms have grown so much in their knowledge and work ethic.

As one of the volunteer's said: "Everyone welcomes new people. Everyone respects each other. Everyone is committed to the valuable work being done."

The children love to learn and they are creating a different future for themselves and the next generation.

One! International is on Facebook

One! International is on Twitter@OneMumbai

Web: http://www.one-international.com/

.

DIWALI WISHES & The THANK YOU song

2010-11-03T23:25:00.000-06:00

On the Hindi festival of Diwali, it seemed appropriate to say Thank You for all the blessings we have had in the past year, and to remember how truly fortunate most of us really are.

Several years ago Erica Viegas, from Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada, went to Mumbai to volunteer with One! International. Erica's family have connections to Mumbai and to India, but she wanted to see "the other side" of India.

As most volunteers do, Erica fell in love with the children.

In addition to other professional activities, Erica has been pursuing a career as a musician. When she returned to Canada she put pen to paper and composed a song to describe her thoughts and feelings about her volunteer experience.

Below - with Erica's permission - please find the words to the song, and the link to Erica's web page where you can listen to the song.

THANK YOU

Children everywhere are beautiful
With or Without shoes on their feet
People everywhere are trying to live life the best they can
Whether or not there's food to eat.
And what is it that exempts me from reality surrounding this life
What is it that protects me from the world outside?

I am one of those, a lucky person I suppose
Who had a chance and had a life...the gift of being free
But I'm the privileged one of dozens more where I come from
Who live in tattered situations
Don't know each day what they'll be facing
And I want to Thank You wherever you are.

People everywhere are searching
Just trying to find some light
And there are souls everywhere wondering
Just how to make things right
And what is it that exempts me from reality surrounding this life
What is it that protects me from the world outside?

I am one of those, a lucky person I suppose
Who had a chance and had a life...the gift of being free
But, I'm the privileged one of dozens more where I come from
Who live in tattered situations
Don't know each day what they'll be facing
And I want to Thank You wherever you are.

http://www.ericaviegas.com

I would like to wish all of you a very Joyous Diwali and a very healthy and prosperous New Year.

EXPECTATIONS

2010-10-27T02:49:00.000-06:00

It feels good to be back in Mumbai - to see all of our wonderful children learning new things. In some ways it feels as though I never left, but in two and one half years there has been incredible change, and of course all of them have grown "two feet".

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This blog is about one of our first children, Manda. ( one of the few children with a real birthdate: 27 August 1973)

One of the most frustrating things for a 'helper' or 'teacher' is to see people with the potential to accomplish great things not reach the potential we think they could.
As a 'helper' or 'teacher' we have expectations that our work will accomplish miracles. We will be able to inspire our children to achieve greatness.

We must always be aware not to impose our expectations of what we think could or should be the results of our work.
We must always recognize and applaud the 'small' changes that are made. Small changes can lead to big changes down the road.

Kanjen and her family were one of the first families of One! International. Kanjen's children were among the first 8 children Tania taught on a mat on the side of Carter road beside the rocks bordering the Arabian Sea, in the spring of 2001.

Kanjen's children, like most of the One! children did not have any school preparation, and Tania started by teaching them how to use a pencil, the concepts of letters and numbers, and how to learn.

The following was taken from Manda's Give-A-Child-A-Chance story in 2001.

Before Manda joined One! she was a very distant little girl and quite shy. She didn't seem confident in herself and was greatly influenced by her older brothers.

Manda works very hard. She writes very diligently and spends the time to get things right. She won't give up until she understands, and accomplishes what she sets out to do. Out of all the children she was the first to be able to recognize and write all of the Devangari script ( the script for the national language Hindi). She was the first to finish her workbook - much to the chagrin of her best friends.

one year later -

Manda is close to literacy and hopefully she can stay focused for a long -lasting education. Manda has great potential if she keeps her determaination pointed on the positive path. One hopes to be the helping hand to accomplish this.

fast forward to 2010 after Manda was married and moved to village.

Manda continued to come and go, back and forth between village and Mumbai. Every time she went to village it wouldn't be long before Kanchen and Bhola received a phone call from her crying and clearly unhappy. For the first few times they would run to take care of their daughter. After that it was hard to maintain their emotions and they became slightly detached. They wanted Manda to make a choice and a clear decision. Family abuse is still all too common in the villages of India.

While in Mumbai Manda would regularly attend school to watch movies, hang out with her friend Reshma and help out wherever she could. Manda has certainly matured over the last year and seems more stable.

We hope Manda can stand up for herself within the family environment and somehow stop the abuse or find the strength to leave if necessary.

Manda gave birth to a little girl - Tejal - at the end of May 2010. All accounts are that Manda is a good mother. She has brought her daughter to the One! school at Khar to meet her One! family.

We expected great things for Manda regarding her development. Those expectaions were not fully realized; however Manda obtained basic literacy, and learned how to cook and clean for herself and a family. We think that Manda also learned about options for change and the importance of education. We think that Manda will have great expectations of her daughter's education when the time comes, and that she will celebrate the accomplishements her daughter achieves, just as we celebrate the woman Manda has become.

Guest Blogger - Nick Taylor

2010-10-12T21:42:00.002-06:00

THE STORY OF PARVATI AND MALESH

They are 6 and 16 years old and live in Bombay. Their story shook me.

In 2006, a drunk driver killed their mother, orphaning them (their father had died years before). They were separated and sent to live with different family members. The family Parvati was placed with treated her terribly; she was rarely fed and forced to live outside. Under these conditions she developed a serious case of tuberculosis which remained untreated. Once Malesh discovered her condition he promptly brought her to live with him and the family he was staying with. This new family refused to support two children, especially one who required medical attention, so Parvati and Malesh were sent into the streets of Bombay, alone.

With no money or guidance, Malesh singlehandedly cared for Parvati as her condition worsened. For over a year he fought to keep her alive, begging for food and money while they sought shelter in countless alleys, sidewalks, and slums. During this time, Parvati’s condition worsened to the point where she frequently lost consciousness as her tiny body began to fail.

One day, while they were both living on the beach under an overturned boat, a local fisherman discovered them and sent them to One! International. Tania raised the necessary medical funds through private donations and Parvati was admitted to a hospital. Upon admittance, her prognosis was grim as doctors didn’t think she would live through the week. But she did. One week turned into two; months passed, and she just got healthier and healthier until she was able to come home to the new family she and her brother had found at One! International.

Parvati stole my heart the second I met her. A happy, sprightly, little pixie with a gleaming smile who needed no introduction to climb up and into my arms. She spoke no English but with certain children you can communicate with just the right mix of jokes and gestures.

When I heard the story of her and Malesh my heart was frustrated with a kind of anger I had never felt before. I wondered how anyone could ever leave this little angel to die in the streets, and how many other countless children endured a similar fate throughout the world. When traveling in certain places, you can try to prepare for the tragedy you’re likely to witness but I never could have prepared for the despair I felt from hearing about her injustice. Its different when its someone you love.

The epic element of this story is that Malesh kept her alive on the streets for over a year, by himself, and, as a person, he is all smiles. One would think that this life would've hardened him into a loathsome mess, but he couldn’t possibly be a more genuinely sweet and wonderful person. If he doesn’t harbor any anger or hatred then how could I?

Their story struck me the way it did because it encompasses the very spectrum of humanity. Their experience definitely reflects the world’s potential for cruelty but at the same time this is really a story about kindness, compassion, and ultimately the triumph of the human spirit. The work of Tania, Marilyn, and the staff of One! is what makes these happy endings possible.

Newspaper Article in Local Paper

2010-10-10T13:47:00.000-06:00

The following article appeared in the Oct.5 Sherwood Park News

Sherwood Park native recently received an award for her work teaching Indian children school and life skills in Mumbai.

Sherwood Park native recently received an award for her work teaching Indian children school and life skills in Mumbai.

A Sherwood Park native recently received an award for her work with children in India at the University of Alberta's Alumni Horizon Awards.

Tania Spilchen, 31, received the award at the Winspear Centre, where she was honoured for the work that she has done with One! International.

The organization was started by Spilchen, and has started, and now operates two schools for underprivileged children in Mumbai, India, where she now lives.

"The main focus is education, and educating street children and slum children in many subjects," Spilchen said. "It's not just education. We also do health and medicine programs, and skill-building programs."

The program started when Spilchen first began living in India for a year as part of an exchange program through university 11 years ago.

"I just fell in love with the country, and was just touched," she said. "I knew I had to go back, and do what I could do. One thing led to the next, and 10 years later, this is what I do."

When Spilchen first started the organization a decade ago, she said that it was very different than it is now, as she has become desensitized to the things that used to affect her most.

"After 10 years, it's hard. When I first started, every day was a full gathering of emotions," she said.

"Every day was the anger, the love, the up and down, up and down. As the years have gone on, the damage becomes less and less, and they become a little bit more accepting of things (in India). Just to see the smiles on the children's faces, and just to have the personal satisfaction and seeing people change, and seeing people learn still makes it worth it."

Things are not always easy for Spilchen though, as the organization receives all sorts of reactions from Mumbai locals.

"It's a very varied response, all the way from: 'Wow, this is absolutely incredible. I can't believe that you are doing this, coming all the way from a different country, and coming to help my country,' all the way to: 'What the hell do you think you're doing? It's not going to make any difference anyway, and you don't belong,' so it's very varied," Spilchen said.

She doesn't let negative reactions slow her down though, and does her best to educate those who don't understand her point of view.

"If it's possible, if there is an opening for a conversation, then definitely I just say that I'm doing what I can, and that's all I can do," Spilchen said.

"One step makes a difference. One step at a time — that's sort of one of our mantras and one of our logos. One step at a time makes a difference. If everyone takes that step, if everyone makes the effort, then together it becomes significant."

Negative feedback or reactions to One! International won't slow Spilchen down, as she is often reminded of the true reason she is there, and has had good reactions from the children, who in turn manage to convince their parents of the benefits of the schooling.

She believes that once children go home to their parents with what they have learned, parents will come around.

"Children everywhere want to learn. Children everywhere are ready for a positive change, so it's been quite easy to incorporate them," she said.

"It's been much more difficult with parents. Once they see the proof of it, once they see their children can do simple things, like read bus signs and things like that, then they really start to get it, and they want to send their kids more and more."

Spilchen has volunteers from around the world helping with her two schools, which hold a combined total of between 300 and 350 children.

According to Spilchen, among the staff that works at One! International, around one-third are Canadian, and of those, between five and 10 are from Sherwood Park.

Spilchen said that India has taught her things that she never expected to learn from going there.

"Professionally, I've learned so much. I've learned how to be a manager, I've learned how to be a teacher, I've learned how to be administrative, and all that sort of stuff," she said.

"Personally, from the kids, every day they're teaching me something."

Since she first went to India, Spilchen said that she has particularly learned that life in Canada is often taken for granted.

"India itself has taught me so much — to be more relaxed, and to appreciate the moment that you're living in, rather than to be concentrating too much on the future," she said.

"We take advantage of things so much, and we don't need so much. We want, but we don't need."

On Jan. 29, a gala will be hosted in Edmonton to celebrate One! International's 10-year anniversary.

Donations can be made to the organization by e-mailing MarilynSpilchen@aol.com, or by visiting the website at www.one-international.com. [or by visiting http://www.canadahelps.org/ ]

Spilchen has also been nominated for the CBC News' Canada's Champion of Change, as well as Avenue Magazine's Top 40 Under 40.

ben@sherwoodparknews.com

Copyright © 2010 Sherwood Park News
http://www.sherwoodparknews.com/

Recognition for Tania and One! International

2010-10-01T14:32:00.000-06:00

We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world. - Buddha

Tania had a vision in 2000 during a trip to India. She thought that it was possible for one person to make a difference in the life of one person - a child.

On Wednesday September 22, 2010, Tania's work was recognized at the University of Alberta 2010 Alumni Recognition Awards. The following appeared in the Program for the evening, as well as in the 'New Trail' magazine - The University of Alberta Alumni Magazine.

Tania Spilchen, ’01 BSc, is a dedicated humanitarian making a difference by improving the quality of life of impoverished children and their families in India. She is the founder of One! International Poverty Relief, a charitable organization that helps children living in the slums of Mumbai by providing them with educational opportunities and health care. In 2001, with one mat on the side of the road, she started teaching eight students. Under her visionary leadership and commitment, One! International has grown, and it now helps more than 250 students in two year-round schools. It also provides children and their parents with access to needed medical care. In 2006, her work was recognized with a Making A Difference Award presented by Children’s Hope India.

A smiling Tania with her well deserved Award.

On the morning of the Award Ceremony Tania was interviewed on CBC Edmonton AM. She has also been nominated for the CBC News 'Canada's Champions of Change' contest for outstanding volunteer work.
CBC Edmonton AM Podcast for 22 September 2010

Scroll down to Regional Podcasts and click on Edmonton AM
Scroll down to 22 Sept. 2010
Tania's interview is between Minutes 3:14 and 9:40

HOWEVER
Even though this award is very well deserved by Tania, and she has given 10 years of her love and commitment to the children of One!, both Tania and I know that she did not accomplish all that One! International has accomplished without:

the Staff of the schools in India
the Volunteers who come from all over the world to Mumbai
the Wonderful Volunteers in Canada who give so much time & effort
financial contributions through the Give-A-Child-A-Chance Program
financial contributions through General Donations
financial contributions from Other Organizations
Gifts in Kind
Gala Supporters
Moral Supporters

This award is for all of us.

1/2 BIRTHDAYS

2010-09-20T13:11:00.000-06:00

Two of our very young supporters, sisters Zoryanna and Oceanne, have December birthdays. (2 December 2001, and 22 December 2003)

Because their birthdays are so close to Christmas celebrations, their parents allow them to celebrate 1/2 birthdays in the summer months so that they can include more of their friends and family.

Zoryanna and Oceanne and their parents have been supporting One! International for over six years in a variety of ways.

For the last few years the girls have been forfeiting the birthday presents they would normally receive from family and friends at their 1/2 birthday parties.
Instead, they ask people to bring 'presents' that are appropriate and can be sent to India and used by the children at the schools.

In August, Oceanne dropped off her contributions: construction paper, books, toys, puzzles, clothes and money. Mom always supplements by adding vitamins and children's pain medication.

Oceanne and Zoryanna have learned early to care for those who don't receive as much as they do.

Thank You Oceanne and Zoryanna from the One! children in Mumbai.

Beauty is always in the eye of the Beholder - and our children are beautiful

2010-09-08T16:27:00.000-06:00

For every beauty there is an eye to see it. For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it. For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it. -Ivan Panin

Part A

On July 27th 2010 I told you about Leah's ride across Iowa.

Today I received the following update and link to Leah's blog describing her jouney. As I haven't figured out how to include a link yet - please cut and paste the link below.

" Hi Friends!

It's been over a month since I returned from RAGBRAI (the week long bike ride across Iowa), and I finally got around to posting about it on my blog. For those of you who donated to my cause thank you SO MUCH! I raised nearly $1000 for the NGO I taught at in India last year. Please go here for the low-down:

http://scoobyleah.blogspot.com/2010/09/it-was-good-ride-for-good-cause.html

Thanks a ton and love to you all!
Leah"

Many people saw the beauty that Leah described to them about her time in India with the One! children, and donated generously to her cause - One! International.
THANK YOU LEAH AND ALL THOSE WHO DONATED.

--------------------------------------------------

Part B

Last week one of our recent volunteers returned to her home in Spain, and sent the following message about her time in Mumbai, teaching the children.
All of you will enjoy the video - but expecially those of you who have been to Mumbai and spent time with the children.

"Hello Marilyn,

I am already back to Spain, with a big smile from my Mumbai experience. Indeed the best of all this was the children; they are really nice and thankful. I was very impress with the big work that one! International is doing with these families and the children, really, I respect your work.

I do not know when I will be able to go to Mumbai but I really keep a good memory from there and the wish is there, and I may encourage to other people to go.

I edited a video from my month experience with the children, click the link to see it.[NB Please cut and paste the link.] The school already has a copy of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZem15ejze4

Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Marta'

I think all of you will see the beauty of the One! International children as you watch this video.

----------------------------------------------------

THANK YOU LEAH AND MARTA FOR SHARING YOUR BEAUTY WITH ONE! INTERNATIONAL
AND WITH ALL OF US.

The Importance of Thank You

2010-08-29T20:31:00.000-06:00

There are two primary choices in life; to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them. Denis Waitley

My grandmother, who lived next door to me as I was growing up, taught me many valuable 'life lessons'.

One of the lessons she was a stickler about was the importance of saying "Thank You".
Grandma insisted that if someone did something for you, or gave you something, it was mandatory you acknowledge their action with a "Thank You".
If you forgot to do this - you heard about it.

My children were raised with the magic words of 'Please' and 'Thank You'. The grandchildren and the One! International children have been "raised" with the same magic words.

As Canadian Coordinator in charge of keeping track of donations and volunteers, I try to remember to say "Thank You". I'm sure my grandmother would find some way of letting me know if I forgot.

------------

Whenever a volunteer - who has given of their time and effort to help the children learn and grow - leaves Mumbai, the children make them a 'Thank You Poster', and sign all their names on it.

Our orphans Parvati and Malesh have been blessed with One! International's help, and of individual donors such as Angelica and her family.

Before Tania left India, Malesh and Parvati gave her their "Thank Yous" to pass on.

To Angelica Didi,
How are you? I miss you. Your baby is growing! Thank You for the help you gave us. My sister is doing very good. Your support was needed to make this happen. THANK YOU! We are both well and remember you so I wrote a letter. I'd like to meet you, we'll use a computer until your next trip. How is your husband?
From,
Malesh and Parvati

To Arie Didi,
I miss you. Thank you so much for all your support. It has been many years since we met, you should come visit. Do not worry about us - we are with Didi. We live with Didi and she takes care of our food. With Tania Didi we are well.
From
Malesh and Parvati

To Tania Didi,
I will miss you. Please do not worry about us. We are here and will be fine. Please take care of yourself and get better. When you are back it will be great - until then I'll wait. Be careful on your trip. Come on the computer so we can talk! You have given us so much - for living, for eating, - and for that I want to thank you. You have helped us so much. I will pray to God that your knee gets better. Say thanks to your mom and dad for us.
From
Malesh and Parvati

There really isn't anything else that needs saying.

One of My Favourite Recipes - Pakoras

2010-08-19T08:40:00.000-06:00

Pakoras - Deep fried vegetable fritters

Ingredients:

3 cups besan
3 potatoes - chopped small
Handful baby spinach - roughly chopped
1 tablespoon red chilli powder
1 tablespoon cumin powder
2 tablespoons freshly chopped ginger or 1 tablespoon ginger paste
1 teaspoon salt
Handful roughly chopped coriander leaves

In a bowl mix all of the above to make a thick batter.
Heat 4 cups of oil (canola or olive for less fat) in a small wok or frying pan.
Drop 1 heaped teaspoon of batter at a time into the oil.
Deap-fry in batches of 8 pakoras until they are brown all over.
Remove and drain on paper towels.
Serve hot with coriander chutney.
These taste good even without chutney.

Coriander Chutney

Ingredients:
1 bunch of coriander leaves
2 medium sized tomatoes
2 inch piece of ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
3 green chillies roughly chopped
Salt to taste
Black pepper
Juice of half a lime

Blend all the ingredients together in a blender or a food processor.
If you want a milder chutney, stir in 2 tablespoons plain yogurt.

"Very Special" Children

2010-08-11T19:36:00.000-06:00

Part A

Social Services of any type are limited in India - a country with the population of over 1.5 billion people.

Services for our One! families are even more limited as the large majority of them do not have any identification papers.
One! International gives the children a birthdate - as close as the parents can remember to the actual date - so the child can celebrate a birthday with the school community. This, of course, does not meet the official requirements.

Free early education is provided by the government - IF - official identification papers can be provided, and a uniform purchased. These requirements eliminate most of our children.

Free medical attention is provided, but hospitals for the poor are ill equiped and medicine must be purchased.

There are few services for the elderly, the abused, or the handicapped (physical or mental),for the general population. For our families they are almost non existent.

Many will remember the stories of Parvati, a young orphan who became extremely ill in the years following the death of her mother. Many will also remember how One! struggled to meet Parvati's medical needs.
Parvati would not likely be the happy healthy girl she is today without the kind and generous financial support of volunteer Anjelica and her family. This support allowed special services to be purchased for Parvati, within and outside of the medical community. We are quite sure these services saved Parvati's life.

Part B

Rohit, a 12 year old boy from Nallasoparo, is blind. He lost his sight when a young boy of about 5 years of age. He can see a little at a 2 inch distance. He has never received any "special" services for his condition.

Rohit can however learn.
He sits in classes and listens to the teachers.

Rohit has also learned discipline, and how to relate to both children and adults.

Rohit was able to go on a recent day long school trip with his class mates to a water park. Vijay Sir was his constant companion for the entire time at the park.

On the way home to the community Rohit was sitting with Vinita Didi, and told her he needed to talk to Vijay Sir. When Vinita asked him why he responded:

Vijay Sir spent the whole day with me Vinita Didi, and he helped me to have fun. I have to thank him.

Rohit was appreciative.
Vijay Sir, who over heard the conversation was proud.
Both had a great day.

One! International tries to meet the "special" needs of our "special" children as much as is possible.

VOLUNTEERS in India FANTASTIC

2010-08-05T15:51:00.000-06:00

- but every once in awhile.......

I don’t know what One! International would do without our wonderful volunteers on both sides of the world.

All of the work done in Canada is done by volunteers. Volunteers in Canada help with a wide variety of functions, but primarily in the area of Fundraising and Marketing. Without a large group of committed people helping One! International we would not be able to put on our annual Gala which helps us raise almost ¼ of our yearly budget.

We have always had volunteers in India to help out at the two schools. Volunteers come from all over the world, for various periods of time – 2 weeks to 1 year. We have had volunteers from: UK, Australia, Holland, Sweden, Malaysia, Austria, Slovenia, Belgium, Germany, Mexico, France, Spain, Poland, India, United States and Canada – and more.

Volunteers help out at the school with: teaching, skill development, administration, sports, arts, loving “our” children, etcetera.

The international volunteer community is changing as more and more agencies are charging – in many cases – a great deal of money for the opportunity of volunteering with their organization. We are being told that many of the opportunities resemble more of a holiday with the volunteer experience being secondary.

Our philosophy has always been that if people are willing to commit to spending 8 hours a day working with “our children”, than we have some responsible for contributing to housing and food, depending on the situation.

We do not consider volunteering with One! International to be a holiday. Rather it is an opportunity to get to know a country, a city, a group of people who do not have social benefits or a way to better their circumstances. The main opportunity is to work with “slum” children, making a difference, and providing them with options for a better future.

The great majority of the volunteers we have had over the last nine years have been wonderful.
Our children in India look forward to meeting new people from all over the world who give them love and attention, and help them to learn the skills which give them more options for the future.

Many of the volunteers continue to assist One! International in their home countries by: monetary donations, connections with schools and organizations, promoting the volunteer experience, having mini fundraisers such as book drives and races, and generally giving moral support to the work being done in Mumbai.

But, every once in awhile…………

Before the volunteer goes to India we try to prepare them as best we can for the volunteer experience. We tell them that the accommodation is co-ed, and the meals that are provided are basic Indian vegetarian. We have an “always draft” volunteer manual which covers most of the things to take into account when volunteering in India. We expect that the volunteer will have done research on their own, and will not be expecting five star accommodations. After all – we are not charging them for the opportunity to work with our children.

Recently we had a volunteer from Canada who was scheduled to work with the children for one month. The individual had experience with India. After less than one week the individual declared that the “accommodation was inadequate” and left to visit family in other parts of India.

Fortunately this happens rarely.
It takes many hours to organize the volunteer requests so that – as far as it is possible – there are 4-5 volunteers to help out with the children at the schools on a regular basis. When something like this does happen, it disrupts the school schedule, limits the number of people available to work with the children; but more importantly, it means that another potential volunteer was unable to have a volunteer position at that time. The very selfish act resulted in a loss for the children, a loss for a potential volunteer who would have committed to the experience, and, of course, frustration for myself as Volunteer Coordinator.

Leah's Crazy Ride Across Iowa + Fundraiser for Schools in India!

2010-07-27T09:55:00.000-06:00

The following message is from one of our volunteers in India in 2009.

Hi Friends!

From July 25th-July 31st I will be riding my bike 442 miles across Iowa as a participant in RAGBRAI: http://ragbrai.com/ [cut and paste link]

Besides finishing the week long east to west ride, my goal is to raise at least $442 to donate to One! International, the NGO in India I taught at in 2009.

One! operates two schools in the slums in Mumbai, teaching over 100 children. Its volunteer base is in Canada. The work One! does with the children and families in Mumbai is truly inspiring, worthy, and life-changing for them.

If you're willing to make a donation, you can click the link below for my Giving Page on Canadahelps.org (The picture on the page is me teaching at the Nallasopara school in August 2009).

http://www.canadahelps.org/GivingPages/GivingPage.aspx?gpID=8592

[please cut and paste link]

3.9% of each donation goes to Canadahelps.org in processing fees, so if you'd rather give a donation to me directly, I will send it to One! via check. If you'd like, you can even pledge a certain amount per mile!

I promise to update my blog and/or Facebook on how I'm managing to pedal up all those Iowa hills.

For more information about One! International, please go to:

www.one-international.com

Thanks

Leah

An energetic endeavor, and a generous goal.
Thank you Leah.
Good luck with the trip.
We wish you lots of luck and good weather.

Another Recipe

2010-07-19T16:02:00.000-06:00

Here is another recipe from our "super chefs" Sonia and Vijay.

MATTAR PANEER ( Peas with Cheese )

Ingredients
600 grams paneer
3 cups fresh or frozen peas
2 tbsp oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 cup crushed tomatoes (fresh or can)
2 tsp each of garlic and ginger paste
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
2 tsp coriander powder
Handful chopped coriander (cilantro) leaves
1 tsp kasuri methi leaves (dried)
1/2 tsp garam masala
2 tbsp plain yoghurt
2 cups water

Heat oil in a pan and fry cumin seeds for one minute.
Add crushed tomatoes and garlic and ginger pastes; fry for 2 minutes.
Add cumin and coriander powders; cook for about 5 minutes.
Add peas, salt and 2 cups of water; cover and cook for 15 minutes or till the peas are done.
Add paneer to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes.
Add yoghurt, kasuri methi, garam masala, and coriander leaves.
Mix and serve.

Sunil - Good News

2010-07-16T22:17:00.000-06:00

In June I told you that Sunil wrote three more of his grade 10 exams. We did not expect to get the results until August, but we have them already.

Sunil passed two of the three exams. He passed English and Business. He did not pass by a huge margin, but that doesn't matter. The important thing is - he passed.

He certainly has the ability to pass the last exam - Math.
He indicated he was nervous and unable to concentrate enough to do good work.
But - he is so committed to this process; he immediately registered to take the math exam again in October 2010.
We may have our first Grade 10 graduate by the end of 2010.
WOW

Tania is here in Canada now. Her physio is proceeding at a very good pace, and she is already walking without crutches. She only uses the crutches if she is going to be in a large crowd of people.
She has set up a schedule for tutoring Sunil on Skype. She will tutor him at 1AM to 4AM our time -the middle of the afternoon for Sunil. She wants to make sure that Sunil is ready in October to write his exam. There was also several chapters that they didn't cover in their previous work together, so this will allow him to complete the work.
It's a good job Tania is a night owl. This schedule doesn't seem to bother her.

The schedule also allows her to connect with Vinita - the boss in India when Tania is in Canada - and teach a couple of other classes as well.

Isn't Skype wonderful.

"First Day"

2010-07-09T09:17:00.000-06:00

"First Day" is a poem written by Harper Wall in the spring of 2009 after her family returned to Canada from thier trip to India, and volunteering with One! in Mumbai. She was 9 years old when she wrote the poem.

After we clamber
Into the over-stuffed rickshaw
Trundling on through
The bumpy crowded streets
We are attacked by the pungent aroma
Of dying fish.
We pass by dusty creaky houses
Their owners drying their clothes
On rocks by the crashing waves.

We turn down a side street
Rainbow coloured fruit
Banana mountains
Purple bubbly grapes
People shopping, sacks on their heads
Lines of laundry hanging across the narrow
street
An old dog scavenging for food
People stopping to chat
Eating samosas and baked goods from the
street vendors.

We stop to the sound of laughing children
They hug us and run along side as we enter the
school

Overwhelming noise
Like a busy train station

We start the day with happy excitement
We take the kids out for exercise
laughing
running
pulling us along
I lose myself in their play.
I watch them skip and play soccer
Being pulled by a little girl
Who wants me to skip
I try and fail, much laughter!

Leaving our fun and games
It is time to go back to the school
As we near, they become once again joyful.

Lunchtime!

Touched by their chant
We eat rice and spicy dhal.
After a tiring afternoon
Too quick, it is time to go home.

Exhausted!

Back into a rickshaw and along
The colourful bustling side street
Back onto the road with the fishy smell
Our first day is complete.

For those who have been to Mumbai and the school at Khar Danda, you will be able to identify with both the trip down the lane, and the school.

Great job Harper.

Taya and Dilshaad

2010-06-26T22:56:00.000-06:00

In February and March of 2009, the Wall/Davis family of Sherwood Park, AB, Canada volunteered with One! International in Mumbai. This was the first family to volunteer, as a family, in India. Perry, Wendy, Taya(12 years) and Harper(10 years) have been supporters of One! for over five years in a variety of capacities; both Taya and Harper are passionate in their desire to help their peers on the other side of the world.

The following story was written by Taya Wall about an incident that occured with her Mumbai friend Dilshaad.

Dilshaad by Taya Wall - 12 yrs.

Last year in February and March, when my family and I were volunteering for One! International in Mumbai, India, I made some very good friends at the Khar school. One of them, Dilshaad, I became close to almost right away. We first connected when we both started laughing at something funny in an English class that I was a student in. She spoke good English, so we were able to communicate easily, and we would talk and laugh whenever we were together. As her paid job for the school, Dilshaad cooked dinner for us and the other volunteers. Everyday we rode back to the volunteer apartments in a rickshaw with each other. One of the ways that she chose to express our friendship was to give me small gifts. These gestures really touched me because I knew how little she had.

Mum, Dad, Harper and I had been in India for two months and we were getting a bit uncomfortable with how hot the climate was. Both Harper and I were eager to go swimming, so we began the search for a pool. One of the other volunteers, Zoe, regularly went swimming quite close to the volunteer apartments where we lived. She offered to take us to the pool. On a hot afternoon after the school day, Zoe, Mum, Harper, Dilshaad and I were riding back to the apartments (Dilshaad was coming to cook for us). Zoe had the rickshaw driver stop outside the courtyard where the pool was located. We were a little surprised to see the clean and upper-class building, but excitement and intent on swimming rushed us past the guards. We were already most of the way in when I noticed that Dilshaad wasn't with us. Immediately, with a numb realization, I knew something was wrong, I searched for her and saw her sitting outside waiting, not even attempting to try and come inside. When I think back on it now, I think this is what upset me the most. That Dilshaad knew her place, and was so used to being treated like she was in the lowest class, that it wasn't a second thought to her. She just knew that she would not be allowed inside by the guards. For me, this experience was one of the most emotional and distressing during our stay. It saddens me to think that Dilchaad is the same as me, but is treated so differently by many people in her own country.

After that experience we decided that we didn't want to swim at that pool anymore. One! is working at changing the kids' attitudes towards themselves, as well as the attitudes of society around them. Already little by little it is working. For example, on Saturdays volunteers and teachers take the kids to the park or the beach. Afterwards, they take them to a restaurant. The restaurant used to not like it when we brought the kids in, but now they call Tania if the group is late, to check and make sure that the children are still coming. I still keep in touch with Dilshaad and my other friends over the phone and Skype. I miss them very much, and I'm sure that our relationships will still be the same when I go back.

Taya has very astutely described what the children and families face every day of their lives. As Taya says: "little by little" change is happening.

Tune in next blog for a poem untitled " First Day" by Harper Wall.

The G(irls)20 Summit

2010-06-19T23:42:00.000-06:00

Over the last week in Toronto,Ontario, Canada, 21 girls from all over the world have gathered prior to the G20 leaders meeting. They have been discussing and raising awareness of the issues affecting girls and women from around the world.

The Globe and Mail newspaper has been running a series of interviews each day of the young women.

Tanvi Girotra, aged 19, from India, was asked: "What's the No.1 thing G20 leaders must do to improve the lives of girls and women?"

Part of her response was: "In India, every day, a girl is forced into prostitution by her own husband. Another one is raped on a lonely street. Hundreds of women go through domestic violence in their homes due to insufficient dowry brught by them. Each and every day, a girl ceases to exist. She dies inside."

When asked what she hoped to gain from attending the G(irls)20 Summit, she replied:
"Margaret Mead once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." I hope to meet those thoughtful and passionate groups of individuals who, like me, believe that together we can work toward a world where women are not repressed but respected for who they are."

We, at One! International, believe that a small group of people can make a difference. One of our girl students, Mallika, tells us that she wants to study to be a doctor. She certainly has the ability, and the work ethic to accomplish what she desires.

The fact that Mallika feels becoming a doctor is a possible goal, indicates that "a difference" has already been made.

Teacher of the Year

2010-06-14T15:08:00.000-06:00

The following is an article Tania wrote in January 2010, and it is an appropriate follow up to the last blog.

I feel honoured to be able to write this article on our "Teacher of the Year for 2009 - Vijay Balan.

Vijay joined One! International on December 1, 2008. From the first day that he walked into the school,it was easy to see that he was a very hard-worker and had a heart full of love to give to those he felt needed it. He decided that the children of Nallasopara needed his energy.

In 2009, Vijay played a crucial role in helping to organize the school and make it work more efficiently. As this happened, more and more families heard about us and wanted to join.

Vijay is well respected in the area for his no nonsense way of getting work done and helping not only the children, but also the parents. Everyone knows that if Vijay says it will get done - it will. They also know that he will be honest with them and try the best he can to do any task.

The only problem we have ever had with Vijay is that he works too hard. If he had the choice, he would work 15 hour days every day - we had to enforce a rule that everyone leaves at the same time so that he doesn't!

We are very proud of Vijay and lucky to have him as a very important member of our One! International family.

Nallasopara - The Journey to get there.

2010-06-11T00:05:00.000-06:00

The real leader has no need to lead-he is content to point the way. Henry Miller

Nallasopara is a community on the northern boundary of the city of Mumbai. Many families moving to Mumbai from the rural areas can not afford to live in Mumbai, and thus settle in Nallasopara.

There are few services in the area. There are no government schools, and only a few inadequate private schools. It is estimated that in the immediate area of Nallasopara where One! operates a school with the current registration of 246 students (over 200 attend regularly), there are well over 100 school aged children who are still not attending any school and closer to a thousand children who are receiving an inadequate education.

The Nallasopara school "Ek Asha" - meaning 'one hope' - is a joint project by One! International and Children's Hope India (www.childrenshopeindia.org)
One! International began teaching in the area in 2007. Expansion of services has been made possible with the partnership of Children's Hope India in June of 2009.

Progress and work at the school will be a subject of a future blog and information will also be posted on the One! web page.( www.one-international.com)

I want to share with you the journey that must be taken to get to the school in Nallasopara - written by Tania.

The journey to Nallasopara from the volunteer apartment in Bandra is an arduous one. They leave their house by 6:30am and take a rikshaw to Bandra Station hoping to get there in time to catch the 7:11 fast train. The train ride is a beautiful one at that time without much rush but it is 55 minutes long. From the Nallasopara train station it is a short 5 minute walk to the shared rikshaw stand where five people are crammed into a 3 man vehicle. The rikshaw ride to Santosh Bhavan (our locality) is 15-20 minutes. From the main road, they then walk 20 minutes in to the school. All in all it is a complicated and arduous 2 hours from door to door.

Many Indian job seekers have come to Nallasopara for a job interview and immediately turned around never to be seen again because of the difficulty of travel and the underdeveloped state of the suburb itself. Our volunteers never complain and just take it as part of the experience. They are very committed and courageous! Some of our staff travel even longer: Vijay and Bhavesh 2 1/2 hours and Vinita 2 hours 45 minutes.

Indian Cooking

2010-06-08T21:56:00.001-06:00

I mentioned in the One! International Update, June 2010, that we were so lucky to have two of our wonderful supporters in Edmonton, aution off their cooking skills at our Gala in January.

Sonia and Vijay are excellent cooks and they were wonderful teachers as well. I attended all three sessions, and so I was able to sample all the food presented.

I thought perhaps you might be interested in one of the recipes. I chose 'Butter Chicken' as that seems to be a consistent favourite with most people.

1.5 kg chicken pieces
(can be a mix of breasts and thighs)
2 medium sized onions thinly sliced
2 tbsp oil
1/2 cup yoghurt
1 tbsp butter or cream (optional)
Marinade: 2 tbsp ginger paste
1&1/2 tbsp garlic paste
2 tbsp garam masala
1 cup plain yoghurt
2 tbsp lime juice
1/4 tsp orange food colour
1 tbsp powdered green cardamoms,
cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves
2 cups crushed tomatoes
Handful chopped coriander/cilanro
1 tsp red chilli powder
salt

Add the chicken to the marinade, mix well. Keep aside for a few hours or overnight. In a wok or deep pan, heat oil and fry onions until soft and edges are brown. Add the chicken and all the marinade. Cook covered for 45 minutes or till the chicken is tender. Add 1/2 cup yoghurt and 1 tbsp butter or cream. Mix well and serve.

Butter chicken goes well with rice and a vegetable dish.

Enjoy. If people are interested I could add more recipes from time to time.

Tania's Surgery

2010-06-07T16:30:00.000-06:00

Some of you already know that Tania had to go into hospital for knee surgery on June 4rth. On May 6, 2010 she hurt her knee playing soccer with the older boys on Sports Day. After a couple of weeks, she thought things were getting better - took a wrong step and the knee collapsed again. This time the doctor referred her for an MRI and recommended Meniscus Cartilage repair and ACL repair. He did not think it was a good idea for her to try to come back to Canada for the surgery, and so she had the surgery done on June 4, 2010.

She is still in hospital, but the doctor is pleased with the repair - apparently it was a very bad tear. She should be out of hospital tomorrow or Wednesday. She is hoping she will be able to travel by month end and come home to Canada for rehabilitation - monsoon is coming to India and there are not too many smooth sidewalks or roads in Mumbai. She will be on crutches for some time.

It will be a long recovery - back to normal after a few months and hopefully 'better than normal' by year end. Tania has had some difficulties with her knee since swimming days. There will be no golfing with papa, soccer and cricket with the boys, swimming the breast stroke, climbing the rock walls with her nieces, or running anywhere.

It - of course - has been a number of years since Tania needed her mother by her side; however, I must admit that it has been difficult for George and I, her parents, to know your daughter is in hospital and you aren't there with her. Thank heaven for cell phones. Joshua has taken fantastic care of her and will have to until she leaves India. He was very ill and in hospital in April, and so they are taking turns looking after each other.

Thankfully the staff in India - Vinita, Mahendra, Vijay and Chitra have gained confidence in their abilities to manage their respective areas (2nd in command and Social Worker, Teacher Coordination, Nallasopara Administration and Khar Administration). Tania has been able to supervise and consult from home, but staff has 'carried the day'.

Sunil - Grade 10 Exams

2010-06-01T16:31:00.000-06:00

One of the difficulties "our One! children" have in furthering their education, is the lack of proof of who they are and how old they are - they don't have birth certificates. Tania, after consultation with the parents, will give the child a birthdate - everyone needs a birthdate for celebration.

In order to properly make use of the Indian school system(access and grade certificates) the children require a birth certificate. Proof of obtaining a grade seven certificate is required before they are allowed to challenge the Grade 10 exams. Passing these exams allows them to go on to college.

One of our teachers, Anil, has been working hard over the last few years to get birth certificates for some of our children. Less than 5% of the children allready have them. Anil has found a few people willing to help and he has already been successful in obtaining several birth certificates for our children.
The next challenge will be to see if One!International can certify that the student has reached a certain level of education.
We have several young people who are close to being able to challenge the grade 10 exams.

However, we are very very proud of Sunil.
In 2009 Sunil wrote and passed two grade 10 exams: Home Sciences and Computer Literacy.
This year in April he wrote three more exams: Math, English, and Bussiness.
We have to wait until August to see if he passed these exams.
Sunil is committed to continuing writing his exams. Sunil is an incredible artist, and it would be wonderful if he was able to pursue such a career.

The effects of him trying to pass the grade 10 exams are already felt within the student population. Several of the older young people are indicating they would also like to write the exams.

What a wonderful role model Sunil has become.

Art Contest

2010-05-29T20:56:00.000-06:00

In January 2010 at One! International's Gala in Edmonton, the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation of World Peace in Edmonton sponsored an art contest for the students of the two schools in Mumbai.

The students were asked to paint a picture of what peace meant for them. The attendees at the Gala voted on their favourite painting.

During the May family program in Mumbai, the winners of the contest were presented with their medals and prizes.

The Gold Medal went to Khushboo of Nallasopara School.
The Silver Medal went to Sunil of Khar School,and the Bronze went to Ashok also of Khar.

We were very proud of the work done, and many of the paintings were purchased by people at the Gala.

The Mahatma Gandhi Foundation has also agreed to sponsor further art work by giving a grant to One! for art supplies. We are very grateful for their support.

The May Program in Mumbai and Nallasopara is a time for the students to get their report cards, special recognitions, family gift bags, and usually the students do various performances for family and friends. A special meal is provided for everyone. The children and their families look forward to the evening. The evening is the beginning of summer break.

2010-05-19T11:45:00.001-06:00

Well - this is going to be a new adventure. I have always liked to write, and certainly do not have any difficulty in sharing my opinions, and I share Tania's passion for One! International; however, will I be able to keep up the pace of writing to you on an ongoing basis.

We will just have to wait and see.

Week of May 17.

This is the last week of the school term in Khar and Nallasopara. The schools will be closed for two weeks for summer break. Apparently, everyone is looking forward to this; not only for the usual reasons of wanting a break, going to see families in the villages, preparing for the next school term, etcetera; the weather in Mumbai has been hotter than normal - breaking records. Yesterday when I talked to Tania it was over 40 degrees, and close to 50 degrees if one includes the humidity index. I personally would not be moving if I were there. The heat and I do not get along very well. Even those who are used to this kind of heat are complaining.

Here in Alberta, Canada, it is hot - yesterday was 32 degrees - but certainly livable heat.

On Monday night, Wendy Davis, Taya Wall, Harper Wall and myself made a presentation to the Livia Stoyke Foundation http://www.livia.ca . They are very supportive of women and children, the arts, and the environment. Even if we are not successful in accessing any money for our projects, we have made friends. The Board members were very attentive to the information we presented.

Although we included several possible projects,the one we centered on was the Prenatal/Health Program. We would like to be more specific and consistent in the assistance we give our families. The current services are given by any of our staff; we would like to have one person responsible for Health services at the two schools.