My Posting

Hey everyone,
I know it has been a long time since I last posted but the availability of Internet is small here without your on computer. Made it safe to my placement after an amazing 4 days in Delhi. What a country to behold!!!! There are so many drastic differences and complete contradictions within the Indian culture which I will be sure to touch on at a later date but for now just a little about the school I have been posted to. Tara International School is a rather humble two buildings made like all the other houses around here out of solid cement. There are enough classes to house each grade which stretch from lower kinder to grade 8 ( our equivalent to grade 7) as well as a craft room, a music room, a computer room and a staff room. Current construction of a science lab and extension to the computer room will make the school one of the most well equipped in the region. Don't take that to mean that it isn't very simple though. The teachers are great and the lady who runs the school, and with whom I am living, Bala is a kind hearted soul who insists we have much more fun with the kids than the other teachers often have, she is of the strong opinion that they will learn much more in this manner. Already I have formed attachments to some of the children but that if for another time. Until that time, Goodbye for now and all my love xxx

Waiting!!!

After a very long 7 hour plane trip to Singapore we are all now waiting for a further 5 hours in the airport to get to Dehli. We will arrive at 5:45 local Dehli time so desperately hoping for time at the hotel for a nap!
Missing everyone already but excited about the adventure ahead. Love to all xxxx

Last Day In Ulverstone!

This is my last day in Ulverstone, it has been a characteristic Tasmanian day, 26 degrees and sweltering hot and then humid rain clouds dumping water just as you walk outside! I have began to really notice everything around me, things which before were taken for granted.

Driving in George, my car, over the hill into the Gawler valley a wonderful panorama spread before me of the Dial Range with its rugged mountain sides covered in red tipped gum trees. A sight I would have seen many a time before but this time it bought a tear to my eye, considering all that will be left behind.

Then there are the more simplistic things like noticing a dew covered spiderweb glistening in the morning sun, golden and so fragile. It had me wondering how I would view things when I get back, whether I would still be the same person, have the same ambitions and dreams.
Whatever happens I will be changed and I feel ready.

My Posting

I have been assigned a posting at Tara International School in the Kullu Valley of Himachel Pradesh. It will be teaching 4-13 year olds English skills and helping with all activities around the school. I personally hope this isn't all I will be doing, I had hoped to be helping at an orphanage or hospital; all of which I am sure will be available if I look around for it. My partner is Courtney and our journey together should be an interesting one!

20 sleeps to go!!!!

It certainly is getting close now, I have begun to count down the days! changed the donations into American dollars today, it amounts to $925 US and I must remember not to leave it in my pocket when I wash my shorts, the paper would fall to bits.....very impractical! It will be so great to go over and hand my host the money, knowing all of it will end up being used as it was intended, not lost in organisation cost sheets. Also took a huge two bags of produce to the salvos today so hopefully there will be some nice salads for the homeless in the days to come. Love you all xxxx

Final Monetary Amount!

A whopping $800.85! That says it all :)

Revision of Money Raised

Although the cheque presented at the wonderful christmas assembly of Ulverstone High School was for $300, the real cheque is in fact for $350. This coupled with the Marist and Donation Box collection will be more than the required amount, making my host family more than happy. The grand total raised will be posted in just a few days time. Thank you for all the donations and please encourage more people to follow my blog as the more people learn, the better the world will become :) xxx