Okay, here goes

The photos for when I was working with the NGO can be found here

http://picasaweb.google.com/DavidlMorrison/India

and the ones from the little bit of traveling around I did can be found here

http://picasaweb.google.com/DavidlMorrison/Delhi

I'm really happy I went, and it's one of those things that made staying in Japan for a second year worth while. I know that sounds odd, but if I had not been in Japan, I don't know ifI would have ever gone to India and done something like it.

The people we were working with were so appreciative and happy, it was very humbling. We were working in a village of Untouchables, or Dalits, but specifically working with the 10 poorest widows in the village, who, being widows, were the most at risk of exploitation, and who are ostracised the most by traditional Hindu society and the caste system. What was startling was how much they varied in age, with one being younger than some of the people in our group, including myself: Accidents killing more than old age where we were.

The most obvious thing that we were doing was helping to construct small houses for the 10 women and their familes. But that had started before our arrival and continued afterwards as well. The main point was that we were seen to be there, working with the ostracised and maybe changing some people's minds. Actually, the founder of the NGO, a local Indian man named Ravi, made it clear to us that that was the main point. The NGO group we wereworking with is called Building Communities, and he chose the title very deliberately.

Another aspect was that our presence, as had happened in the past and with us as well, would act as a catalyst, forcing the local provincial government to act. The problems are not with the law per se. The problems include that the people are not aware of their rights, the opportunities available to them, and the responsibilities that the local governemnt has to them: something we were also there to inform them about. When a bunch of foreigners showed up and started working, there was suddenly a lot more movementon local issues. Also, the fact that India was having a heat wave, that Indians in Delhi were getting heat stroke, that it was 45 degrees at midday where we were, and that we were still working up until the afternoon, hopefully had an effect on the attitudes that people had towards the women with whom we were working.

I, and I think everyone else in the group, was very happy with the work we did, and felt that our presence had made some difference. We're still in contact with Ravi, who has a Ph.d. in Human Rights and works mainly to in that field , and get updates about how things are progressing. There's a report with everything in even more detail I can send you if you like.

I got sick on two occasions, both times being the plumbing. The first time I was fine. I stayed back for the day and went out the next morning. The second time was when I was traveling afterward. It was much more severe than before and I doubted that I would be on my feet and running around for a few days, so I admitted myself into hospital. A few hours later, I was back on my feet and travelling, with some help from anti-biotics, IV drips, and other drugs. Not fun, but I only missed half a day really. That actualy happened after seeing the Taj Mahal, so I only missed the other sites in that city, Agra.

Then it was on to Jaipur, and on the train back up to Delhi. The train was a good experience itself as I got talking to a lot of people, or more accurately, they got talking to me. I'd heard about Indian trains and meeting people before, so I had to take at least one.

Then it was back to Japan, and some sleep.

And heated Toilet seats