The Slums

I seem to have somehow lost the blog post about settling in so I'll just move on.
I made my first visit to the slums last week after school which was about 5:30PM, so it was already getting dark. The staff member took me and we visited a couple of the homes whose children we had in tow. We walked from the center to the slum which I will refer to as the village. As you might expect, everything was muddy. All the paths were mud with some bricks and rocks thrown down in the low places. It had rained the night before, so there were also puddles to avoid.
The houses are made of mud and straw supported by bamboo poles. The roofs are also supported by poles with tiles, straw, metal, whatever thrown on the top. When the rains are heavy and continuous as they are during June, July, and August, many of the houses get washed out or damaged heavily.
There is no electricity or water although there are a couple of taps which serve the village providing water for washing. Unfortunately, this water is not good for drinking, but they drink it anyway. The school at the center is trying to get the villagers to boil the water for drinking.
On this visit, I didn't go into any of the homes because it was so dark. Also, some of the parents were not yet home from their work.
The women of the village were very friendly and had no problem with me taking their pictures. I'll try to send some along when I learn how to do this stuff.
Of course, we collected children as we went through the village and by the time we were ready to leave, I had no more fingers for holding.
The next day, we went again, this time in the daylight. The children were all gathered to gether on a mat outside having their school. These kids don't go to the government school which requires a uniform and supplies, so some organization brings school to them. There are all ages here, and not all the children of the village are here. Some of them are working as day laborers or domestic helpers. They have little chalkboards to write on and that is about it. There are two, maybe four teachers running this little school.
When the children come to the school at the center, they are scrubbed, their hair is combed, and they are in uniforms provided by the diocese. They have bookbags and supplies. They also have shoes and socks although these items have suffered a bit now missing buckles and straps.
They come regardless of the weather, and they come smiling.
Other children come from a couple of villages farther away, and the diocese picks them up in jeep and returns them home afterward.
I visited these two villages on a Saturday morning. These villages seemed a little more upscale if that can be said about a slum. The streets were cleaner and things seemed tidier. Again, Bunti and I collected children who would do almost anything to get their picture taken.
This time I did get to go inside the home which was open on the backside facing a courtyard of sorts. There were little stools for sitting on and that was about it. I didn't want to just sit and stare so I can't give a good report about the actual furnishings. There seemed to be a good sized table which I think must have served as a bed for everyone. They use coal chips that they make from clay and dry in the sun for fuel. They are black like charcoal.
I have been on this computer way too long. Even though it is a holiday today, there are still some office staff around and they are now wandering into this office, so I think I should let them have their computer back.
Everyone here has been welcoming and friendly. They want to do everything for you. That's been a hard one for me, as you might imagine.
Church has been an experience which will require more than a couple of sentences ,so I'll save that one for another time.
Be patient with this blog as this blogger learns the technique.
Remember, you can always respond by e-mail.
Blessings,
Lynn