School for Street Children and another for Muslim girls

Yesterday we went to visit the Good News Education project. A bus came to pick us up. There were lots of children on board and they welcomed us with great enthusiasm. We picked up some more and went to a Methodist church hall. They were washed, given breakfast and lunch. We all sang songs with them and they had a Bible story. There were 75 children and they were split into 3 groups for literacy, numeracy and English. They were given simple first aid. It's a brilliant project. Amanda plans to go each morning, but it's not for me. Later we visited a project for teenage Muslim girls in a church round the corner. They were stunning and very well behaved. They get tuition and play games. I think Zibby and I will offer English conversation a couple of afternoons a week.

My Old Men

I have been visiting a nearby home for elderly people where there are 15 Anglo Indian men. They are quite isolated as most of their relatives have emigrated. They just have a dormitory and some bathroom facilities and the conditions are not good. I try to get to see them about 3 times a week and we are hoping to go to the zoo together and maybe out for a Chinese meal. We have interesting chats about when the British were in charge. They like to hear about life in Britain and they tell me how things are now.

Visiting the Girls

Amanda and I have been a couple of times to a hostel for girls about 20 minutes away. We have chatted with them, played games and listened to their music with them. They range from about 5 to 16. The hostel is run down and needs a lot of work.

Missionary Cemetery

We went on from the College to visit the humble graveyard where William Carey, his family and other missionaries are buried. William wanted a humble grave.

Our visit to Serampore College

The day after we arrived we had the opportunity to go to Serampore College with a group of Spurgeon's College students who are staying here. It was about an hour's drive away. We went in one of the two Guest House vehicles. Serampore is where William Carey, the first missionary, landed after his epic 5 month journey by boat to India during which he taught himself Bengali. The East India Company would not allow him to land in Calcutta, but the Danish Government allowed him to land at Serampore and donated these gates to the College. William was an amazing man. His trade in England was as a cobbler, however he translated Bible passages into 30 different languages and we saw copies of some of the texts. I reflected a lot on the cost for mission workers of a previous era to go abroad to share their faith. William never returned to England and became the principal of the college. He also set up a printing press.

Guest House Garden

The Guest House garden is lovely and well kept. A hand mower is used to cut the grass and this man, whose name I haven't mastered yet, sweeps the paths with a long broom. There are so many crows in Kolkata so there is usually the sound of them cawing and the sight of eagles circling overhead. This gardener was very pleased to have his photo taken. The staff seem to work hard. There are men on the gate where we hand in our key if we are going out. They will call a taxi, explain where we want to go and negotiate a sensible rate for us. That is so हेल्पफुल.

I've arrived

Our flights were good but the luggage was delayed and delivered at midnight. Owing to some confusion we ended up sharing rooms. I am sharing with Zibby and have been told I will move into my own room on Sunday. We both agree that, although we prefer a room of our own, we have really got to know each other well and have a good relationship. I'm really grateful for that. The rooms are simple with a fan and air conditioning which is marvellous. We are on the second floor and look out over rooftops. We can hear the call to prayer several times a day. There is a lovely garden but most of the time it is too hot and steamy for us to sit out in it. Maybe as time goes on we will find this easier. We already feel we are coping with the weather better.

Weather

We will be arriving in what is known as the Wet Season and we are expecting to experience heavy monsoon rain. Flooding seems quite likely until it eases off in October which is the beginning of the sensible time to visit the place! We are told to expect high temperatures and high humidity. This is a real concern for both Zibby and myself. I am especially worried that there might be snakes in the water. However, we don't know whether we will get caught up in the flooding and will have to see how it all works out....

The Plan

I am planning to spend 3 months in Kolkata (Calcutta) working as a volunteer in one of the projects in the city. As yet, I don't know where I shall be working and may not know until I get there. I am going with BMS World Mission and will be staying at their guest house - see photo

My flight is booked for the evening of Thursday 10 September via Mumbai, arriving in Kolkata in the afternoon on Friday 11th. There is a return flight booked on 10 December. My visa is for 6 months.

It is great that I shall be travelling with Zibby and another volunteer Amanda, a primary school teacher who is going for 2 months.

Travelling companion

Zibby and I met up at the Shuttleworth Collection. We spent a lot of time finding out about each other. Zibby is a retired health visitor and I think we'll get on well.