We made it!

Well... we're here! We had an interesting journey to say the least... after amazingly being bumped up to Business Class on Qatar Airways (not a bad send off for Mr Diver!) we found ourselves racing through red lights in a busy Bangalore taxi at 4am! We then had to take a 4 hour train journey to Salem in the Tamil Nadu District. For this we were crammed (sardine style) inside an old wooden train with many Indians. Needless to say we stuck out like sore thumbs. Once at the station we met with Steve Deveraj (the Mr Brennan type guy of the school) who then had to drive us for 2 hours into the middle of nowhere.... Quite a journey!

Alas, the journey was worth it, as were are now safely here and have already been immersed in the culture and the ways of the school community. Things we have done so far include:

• A tour of the school - Meet and greet with the staff and students
• Mr Coomer has been the referee of the school showdown football match.
• Found a cameleon!
• Attended a Hindu wedding - A very large occasion where we got to stuff our faces with food.
• Attended a Christian mass, held by Simon and Steve Deveraj - two twin brothers who run the charity and school - of which we have now named Rev and Stevie D respectively.
• Mr Funnell has lovely sunburn on his forearms!
• Mr Diver is teaching the locals the ways of being Irish - no Guiness included!
• Mr Coomer is watching out for snakes - apparently there are Cobras & Vipers here!?

But now we are ready to start preparing for work - Mr Diver has been assigned a timetable to teach some Maths to a range of year groups. Mr Funnell is preparing some geography, which is proving very interesting as many of the children have never seen a map before! And Mr Coomer is going to make some exciting PE lessons... very fitting as the school sports day is next week.

So, all is good so far. We have settled in thanks to the generous hospitality of the Deveraj family. Now it's time to work.... AND we are required to help build some of the new classrooms tomorrow!

Thanks again to everyone who has supported us... we are really beginning to see how much of a difference your kind donations are going to make. Unfortunately internet connection is difficult to come across, and so the photos may have to wait. However, we will try and update you as much as possible on what we are doing!

Bye for now!

Mr C, Mr D & Mr F :-)