Kids' Castle

1 week in, and more reflection, anecdotes and stories to share than you have the patience to read... It has been one hell of a week. Day one, and a group of 16 8 year olds broke Giles in 40 minutes; end of this week and we feel that we are starting to make some real progress. At the lowest level helping the children is wonderful, but giving the teachers some much needed guidance and in fact identifying ways to provide long term sustainable assistance is proving every bit as challenging and fulfilling. With some luck, and some hard work we hope to provide a legacy which will help both Kids Castle and any other schools struggling with resources in India. It's proving immensely satisfying.

But you want to hear the funny bits! Get yourself a cup of tea (and for the really authentic experience add slightly-off milk and enough sugar to ensure that your next dental bill will be more painful than the fillings themselves), and put your feet up. I don't think we can write it all, but we're also keeping written diaries which are capturing everything. There's going to be plenty of material to bore you silly with by the time we get back.

We are being hosted by the headmaster (principal AND director as he calls himself), and his wife and family. He is quite a character; oh so so proud, and treating us almost reverentially. What we have noticed is that he does like to use his wardrobe. Two mornings ago, no fewer than three pre-breakfast outfits, the last of which was a high waistbanded pair of denim shorts and vest top stretched over his belly. I kid you not, as we emerged from our den to see this, on came 'The final countdown'...

His wife (below with Sarah in their kitchen) we already call Mum. The most lovely, generous and funny lady whose welcome is quite extraordinary. I think there were about another 10 friends, family, waifs and strays staying this weekend: all treated as family, and the extra food and work absorbed without fuss. Brilliant, and it is so lovely to see her and Sarah already so close and gossiping away like old friends.

The school children are brilliant. You may think that I have just changed subject, but when your accommodation is within five yards of the school, the two really do merge into one. Well behaved, respectful, smiley and immaculately turned out every day despite the poverty in which many of them live. We have already identified the characters amongst them. My favourite moment this week from the youngsters in class three: Sarah and I sharing a lesson with them drawing. I asked then to name their drawings. The look on Sarah's face was a picture. "He's, you're right, he's actually called A-shit!". He is, and a right little shit he is too.

Photos in order:

Ashit proudly displays his work; Sarah and Sutita, our Indian Mum; class 3 under control(!); our humble dwelling and resource store; morning assembly at KCS in house colours, our home is the building behind overlooking it all; Sarah with her Class 2s at the school gate.