Dharma - Day 4 @ Odanadi

Odanadi – Day 4 (December 15, 2010)

Pareesha left the evening of the 14th so it was a little strange not having her around in the house or at breakfast. I made my way to the Internet Café though so I could update the blog and share some photos with all of you.

Today was a rather low key day. I spent most of the day in the library doing various activities including using flashcards with some of the younger girls to teach shapes, colors and numbers; played carrom, a traditional Indian board game (with Somya, Pallavi and a new girl who had just arrived at Odanadi) after years and found out how rusty I was. Somya’s team (above) won every game and she is definitely the Carrom Champion.

I tried lunch today for the first time at the center with the other volunteers – a simple dish of rice and sambhar, which the children eat a variation of daily for lunch. It was a nice way to bond with them all and to learn more about how each of us ended up sitting at a meal together in Mysore.

Post-lunch I went back to the library and continued with some activities, and also distributed the rest of the gifts the children who go to school did not receive the day before. I had been feeling a cold coming on all day so my energy level was low, which is in contrast to all the children who asked for single shots and posed photos in the courtyard as I was on my way home. Some of the children are mischievous, some quiet, some so sharp, and others I haven’t had the chance to get to know yet. One thing for sure is that they all need love, affection and attention.

Dharma - Day 3 @ Odanadi

Odanadi – Day 3 (Tuesday, December 14, 2010)

With supplies and snacks for the boys in hand we headed to the main Odanadi site to wait for Stanly Brother. Around 11am, along with a new UK volunteer Kathy we headed to Mandiwali (?) where the older boys stay. The boy’s site is located in a lush and serene plot of land about 15 minutes drive from the girl’s site. We met Raju and Ramesh two brothers who stay there, along with Kumari the house mother.

The boys living situation is in stark contrast to the girls. They live in huts and have no electricity, yet they are enterprising growing their own vegetables and even selling them to the house mother for a discount!
For many years some neighbors under the influence of land grabbers had filed a legal case against Odanadi, basically stating that they did not want a house/building built there. Very recently, the court ruled in favor of Odanadi and plans have been drawn up for the boy’s future home.

Stanly showed us the markings for the foundation and the lay of the land. I eagerly await the completion of this building – but it will cost about 70 lakhs (approx $150,000) and an additional amount for a compound wall to run the perimeter of the plot for safety and other reasons.

You will be happy to know that we gave a check to Stanly (and Parashur) on behalf of all of you lovely supporters and donors. The share for Odanadi India ended up being about Rs. 94, 500 – which is amazing! It will go towards building the foundation for the boy’s home :) But, as you can tell, Odanadi still will require a lot of funds to make this dream a reality.

We also had fun distributing the gifts we had packed the day before!

Dharma's Day 1 & 2 at Odanadi!

Odanadi – Day 1 (December 12, 2010)

To say I was super jet-lagged would be an understatement. After reaching Hootagally Village and taking a warm bath, Pareesha and Ode took me to Odanadi. We walked on to the main road, stopped by a mini-supermarket, crossed the busy road and then took the side road to the center. The main gates were locked when we got there, so Pareesha and Ode shouted for Rashmi the security ward to come and open the gate. Small boys and girls started running out one by one – sister! Sister! They shouted as they climbed all over them. They looked at me tentatively and asked – “new sister?” “What your name?” “How long you stay sister?”

 I took out my camera and started taking some photos and they loved it. They all posed and asked for individual and group shots. One energetic young girl Teju particularly liked posing and kept asking for more and more, until Pareesha said “sako sako!” (enough in Kannada).

I got a tour of the center, met one of the house mothers Uma and some of the other younger and older children. A group of them sat transfixed in the TV room watching a Rajnikant blockbuster, while others played freely in the yard. Jatti (a calm boxer) and Lizzie (the lazy golden lab) also befriended me and Lizzie particularly fawned for attention and even posed for the camera with Pareesha!

 One young girl – Kaveri – Stole my heart. I said hi I’m a new sister and she just ran to me and hugged my leg (she could only reach so high!). It just melted me. That was my orientation to Odanadi.




Odanadi – Day 2 (December 13, 2010)

Day 2 started a little slower for me. I slept ok, but my body ached from so much travel when I woke up. Late morning Pareesha and I made our way over to the center with supplies in hand. The first task was to check and sort through the clothes etc we had couriered from the US. It was strange to see the bags we had packed in the US sitting there in the house mother’s office – but we opened them and started separating things out. Most items were there except for (sadly) 6 stuffed toys – but we spent a few hours along with the house mother, accounts manager and teacher making sure every child would get something by wrapping an item each like a gift. We will distribute these to all the children tomorrow as early Christmas presents. We’re so happy each child will get something.

After taking a late lunch/snack/errand break we returned to find some children busy coloring the Dora the Explorer book we had brought from the US. We joined in and spent some time in the library. A few more boys were there also and I got to meet a few other girls. We were looking forward to working with the older girls who are part of the US7, but they got delayed and were busy all day taking care of logistics related to the SU trip. Otherwise they are in college until 5 or 5:30pm so it’s not as easy to find time with them. While waiting for them we sat in the courtyard and chatted with whoever was around and played with Jatti and Lizzie. Some girls started doing some gardening, while another came up to me and wanted me to help her with her Hindi! I obliged and we had fun trying out various phrases and she teaching me a few key Kannada words also. Appu stood out to me – a mini Rajnikant in the making with beautiful eyes. A little mischievous but ever so sweet!

It soon became dark and Stanly dropped us back to Parashur’s house. We try to leave every night by dusk so walking home is still safe and then most children occupy themselves with other activities and playing and catching up with the school-returned children.

Exciting announcement about donations & update!

Greetings from Odanadi! Dharma and I wanted to officially announce that we successfully raised about $7,000 in donations thanks to the generosity of our family, friends, and colleagues. We could not have done it without your support!

Today, Dharma and I sorted through all of the clothes and toys that she shipped over from the U.S. We managed to wrap over 50 presents to be given to each Odanadi child. We can't wait to see the looks on their faces as they receive their early Christmas gifts!

Please stay tuned for blog entries from me and Dharma about our experiences at Odanadi, and further information about what the founding directors are up to. Thank you!

Article on our trip!

A brief post to share a news article that was published in the UMD Campus PublicAsian newspaper this week!

Alum travel to India to combat trafficking

Signed, Sealed and (almost) Delivered!

We are so thankful to those of you who donated clothes, toiletries and toys for the children at Odanadi. A few days ago Sharon and I got together to sort through the items and pack them to be shipped to India. We ended up packing about 60 pounds worth of supplies into two bags! PHEW!

I got drenched in the tornado warning on December 1st transporting the bags to campus for DHL to pick-up from my office, but thanks to Tracy and Matt who helped bring them into the office, it will all be worth it. 

As of today - the bags were at London Heathrow (how exciting!!). I'll post again once they reach their final destination in Mysore where Pareesha will receive them. I know the children will be happy to receive these gifts from generous people like you!

A few pictures are shared below from our fun sorting and packing night - enjoy!

all the supplies pre-packing!

Sharon keeping track of the inventory

weighing them!

Giving the bags a warm departure :)

Dhanyavadagalu (Thank you in Kannada!)

Some more generous souls to thank :)

Minaxi and Atul (and Kusha!)

My dad's sister, her husband and my lovely cousin. Always fun to hang out with and I've already been booked by my uncle to plan Kusha's wedding whenever it happens ;)

Isaac

I have known Isaac for some years and he is a gem. I've seen him evolve in so many ways and I'm so excited to see what life has in store for him as he graduates.

Nisha  and Sachin

 Mother to Sahil and lovely wife to Sachin- Nisha is my cousin from Atlanta. A genuinely nice person who is beautiful inside and out.

Kart and Neha

 Kart and Neha are some of my closest friends.  Neha is creative and talented and Kart has always amazed me with his analytical and coupon finding skills ;) I've known Kart since my college days and I consider him a brother. 

Rahul

 Where do I even start with Rahul? He is the Jack to my Karen! His wry sense of humor is an acquired taste, but his taste in music, the arts and outlook on life in general is why I put up with him and him me :)

Sharon

 One of the inspirations for why I am even going to volunteer in the first place. Sharmila is a good-hearted, spunky and animated sweetheart :) I hope she finds her journey ahead fulfilling and adventurous!

Rita and Sanjay

 Rita auntie and Sanjay uncle are family friends who live right here in the DMV area.  They have two active young children.

Kumudha

KK! One of my South Asian daughters from AASU at UMD. I miss seeing her around regularly, but she's working hard in law school right now. She's a smart, sassy and beautiful young woman :) 

Pam

I had the pleasure of meeting Pam this summer at the OCA Convention in TX. I feel like I have known her for a number of years already. It was amazing meeting her and talking to her about so many things. I look forward to seeing what she does next!

Hyo

Hyo is a talented student at UMD. She was kind enough to donate some much-needed supplies for the children at Odanadi. She really is so insightful and good at what she does. I can see her shaking up the APA non-profit world in DC soon :)

I would also like to thank my Dad's former colleague who wishes to remain anonymous and Raju Kaka, my dad's cousin brother who is a successful business man in NJ where he lives with his wife and two children.