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.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
"Very Special" Children
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:
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.
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.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
VOLUNTEERS in India FANTASTIC
- 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.
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.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Leah's Crazy Ride Across Iowa + Fundraiser for Schools in India!
The following message is from one of our volunteers in India in 2009.
An energetic endeavor, and a generous goal.
Thank you Leah.
Good luck with the trip.
We wish you lots of luck and good weather.
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.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Another Recipe
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.
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.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Sunil - Good News
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.
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.
Friday, July 9, 2010
"First Day"
"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.
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.
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