Tuesday 18 November 2014

What a remarkable experience!

The trip/discovery visit has ended and left me with some amazing memories that with stay with me for the rest of my life. The YMCA has something about it, that gives people the opportunity to learn, develop and truly make a difference no matter where you are in the world.

I can only paint a picture through my words of the flavours of things and experiences I had whilst on the trip and even then it won't do it justice...whether it was the people, the places, the buildings, the culture, the communities, the generosity shown or simply the children...it was magical.

From day 1 we worked hard, hitting the ground running to visit YMCA projects across the Kerala and Tamil Nadu regions: orphanages, schools, day care centres, self help groups, river communities, sport and recreation centres, Tsunami relief and rebuilding projects, housing projects and centres to help the children suffering from mental illnesses. Every single project was quite remarkable....

I have spent time reflecting on the experience, attempting to come to terms with what I saw, who I met and what I did......I usually have a very pragmatic approach to life and work and part of my character tells me to process the experience into some form of order: perhaps labeling each project, even scoring them in some way to inform myself which fits best with what I was looking for....however on this trip my personal system has been blown out of the water! Everything touched me and made me think of ways I can improve, both personally and professionally.

India to me is a cacophony of noise and an explosion of colour, sometimes feeling like an amazing fire work display just without the wiz bangs!

The tut tuts, weaving in and out, the cars and motorbikes and buses and wagons flying around, constantly trying to overtake, the tooting and endless need to get wherever you're going quicker than possible or necessary...fantastic!

There is a freedom of expression in India with the way they live and the work they deliver. I feel it comes from the lack of Big Brother Contracts, the no-need to complete endless forms, the box ticking and the paperwork that is required in the UK in order to prove you worthiness. In India, they simply get the job done. They support the most needy, the most malnourished, the communities that require it most. Their work is done by listening, developing and understanding the issues that are affecting India. With this knowledge they work as one, they all contribute: financially if they can or hands on if that's what they can offer. It works. The feel good factor of the YMCA's presence across the regions was immense. They respect the organisation, it's values and aims and work together to create better communities.

My learning from the experience will not end now. I intend to develop further links for Teesdale YMCA, our staff, our communities and me. The work we do in the future will be heavily influenced by this experience, and with clear, positive mind, we will continue to grow and to make fantastic contributions to the region we work in and the communities we serve.

I'd like to make special thanks to Ken Montgomery for making this trip an experience I'll never forget and the colleagues I went with from throughout England for their support, the tolerance shown to each other and laughter we shared.

I would also like to thank the staff, board members and volunteers from every Indian YMCA we visited for their hospitality, genuine affection shown to us all and their amazingly inspirational work.

Kev.
CEO Teesdale YMCA
@Kev_WakeYMCA




The Kerala - Tamil Nadu Experiences

This journey has been spectacular, the energy of India, the enthusiasm and friendliness of the people and the welcomes we have received have been out of this world. The India people love belonging to the YMCA, they love contributing to their own communities and making life better for everyone.

We have visited many YMCAs across the regions doing fantastic community work. Witnessing first hand the childrens work has been a humbling experience: housing and supporting young children either abandoned or orphaned to setting up schools and delivering education to children who without the YMCA would not receive any has given me much to think about....the staff and volunteers in these centres have to work in some challenging conditions, however do it with amazing enthusiasm and enjoyment: truely fantastic people.

The community projects we visited were brilliant: Self help groups for women to give them a chance of learning new skills or putting their already excellent talents into genuine opportunities to create sustainable businesses in order to bring in money to help not just their own houses/families but that of the whole community...again unbelievable projects!

The Tsunami projects were incredible: the YMCA built houses for families following the tragic events where thousands of people lost the lives, homes and livelihoods. The consequences of the tsunami were horrific and the projects that have set up are simply fantastic. Giving homes and education to those who need it most. The YMCA have also helped people back into work and are supporting the community in setting up social enterprise projects and fisherman back into their roles within the community.

Again I'm blown away....amazing.

Monday 17 November 2014

It feels odd to be back home!

I must say I feel quite disorientated since I returned home from India! And that isn't just because of the jet lag!
I would like to add my thanks to Ken for organising such a great Discovery Visit- and to the colleagues I shared the experience with.
It was an amazing visit- we saw so much and met so many different people during our discovery visit and I feel I need some time to digest it. We have given ourselves a bit of time to do this s a group and are meeting up again mid December to look at what we might do to cement some of the links we made while out there.
Our colleagues in India were the most tremendous hosts- thank you so very much. You really have given us a great insight into the YMCA in India- and I have been impressed with your collective action to assist those most in need in your communities.
I was greatly touched by your work with orphans and abandoned children and by your ambition for your school children- a number of whom we met - they were a delight. Also with the many self help projects you have.
I was haunted by the view of the slums we had as we were bussed in to the runway in Mumbai to return home. It was the slums I was dreading seeing but yet a number of those that we met who came from the slums were full of fun and laughter. It can't be right that their living conditions are so basic but yet they can teach us all a thing or two about the joy of life. I remain very perplexed about this. It really is not what I expected.
 
I went to India thinking aware of the challenges India faces with the level of poverty it has and thinking- how can we help? I return only partly thinking that but more- how have the Indian YMCA helped me? In many ways, I think. I have learned about the power of a strong membership model and wider community responsibility. I look forward to developing our work together.                         
 

Wednesday 12 November 2014

Thanks Ken for organising such a great Discovery India Visit



Got back safely tonight from the Discovery India Visit and wanted to post a thank you to Ken Montgomery for leading the group and making it such a great learning experience. Ken has been a brilliant leader throughout this whole experience and I wanted to put on record my appreciation of his hard work.

I first met Ken when he took over responsibility for managing the Club at Romford YMCA back sometime in the last Century!  He was a Youth Worker from Ireland with little experience of physical activity and he didn't fit the mould of Programme Directors at the time who were mainly fitness fanatics! Despite being a heavy smoker in those days he brought a breath of fresh air and soon took on the lead role in the group getting lots of collaborative initiatives off the ground.

Since then Ken has moved on to regional roles and is now YMCA England's Head of International Affairs.

As part of this role Ken is responsible for setting up two discovery visits each year, one to Europe and one to another continent.  India was always going to be an excellent destination as it is such a contrasting environment to the UK, plus there's lots of YMCA work going on. In fact over 1000 YMCAs!  The need in India is acute with high levels of poverty and millions of young people living in appalling conditions.  Despite this the links to the UK are not great especially since Y Care has stopped working in the country.   Plenty of scope therefore for developing new relationships and learning new ways of working.

The preparation for the visit was good with a number of meetings with each of the seven CEO's and senior managers who had volunteered to go.  Ken made sure everyone knew what to expect and from the first meeting he made it clear we would be roughing it and that there may well be times when we would be out of our comfort zone.

Having said that it wasn't until we were actually in India that I realised how much we relied on Ken's experience (10 visits to India!) and his leadership skills.

The first few days of our trip the programme was packed with lots of travelling and visits to YMCA projects and at each YMCA we were greeted with large groups of professional staff, lay members and young people. It was on these occasions that Ken really excelled making impromptu speeches and finding the right words and tone for each audience.  On one visit to a college he delivered an entertaining interactive lesson on the history of the YMCA to a group of about 60 students.

Ken has had some health issues in the past and he wasn't the quickest to get around however his energy levels were amazing.  He was always the last person to his bed and the first to rise in the morning.  Many of the group took advantage of the mini bus travel between appointments to catch up on their sleep but I don't think I saw Ken close his eyes once on the whole trip!

At each of the three main areas we visited we were hosted by different YMCAs and Ken quickly built a rapport with all the key people, in some cases diplomatically negotiating changes to the schedule to make sure the group benefitted fully from the programme.

Ken was keen to get everyone blogging about the trip so that learning could be captured and disseminated throughout the wider movement. There were some difficulties with the blogging software but Ken went out of his way to help individual members to access the site.

Seeing India is an assault on the senses and it was enough for most of the group to cope with the emotional, mental and physical strain of visiting projects and meeting children and young people in acute need. Ken had the added burden of dealing with the day to day organisation and looking after the finances etc. but he did this quietly and efficiently allowing the group to focus entirely on learning from their experiences.

One of the highlights for me was visiting the War Graves Cemetery in Madras where servicemen who died in the Second World War were buried.  Members of the group led by Kevin Wake were keen to do something to commemorate the 100 anniversary of the end of the Great War and it was Ken who helped facilitate this, organising a wreath and reciting 'For the Fallen' the famous poem by Laurence Binyon.

Ken's gentle banter, knowledgeable discussion and wicked sense of humour won everyone over within the first couple of days and by the end of the trip he had fostered a great team spirit within the group.

Thank you Ken for making this trip such a valuable experience for me. I am going away inspired and enthused, keen to build on what I have learnt to give young people from the UK an opportunity to visit India and to find ways to support the great work of the YMCA in India.



Tuesday 11 November 2014

I cried this morning!

Today is the 11th of the 11th. The day back so many long years when the armistice was signed leading to the end of terrible war that started 100 years ago this year.

The YMCA played a significant role in providing services for the soldiers who fought in that war and we as a group thought we might visit the War Grave in Chennai to reflect on lives lost.

The Cemetery accommodates the graves of those who died in Madras/Chennai during WW11 and also has a memorial wall with the names carved into it of those who died in WW1 and are buried elsewhere accross India.

At 10.15am we set off for the Cemetery, Koshi, our guide for a fair bit of our time in Chennai, had purchased a wreath of white Indian flowers.We read a poem by Lawerance Binyon;

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
One of the group laid the wreath. We had a few moments silence.

The grounds men and our driver had joined us. There was no one else around. We could hear the cacophany of noise that is present day Chennai, but some how for a few brief moments we only experienced silence. Those buried here are just young men from many British regiments and I hope this does not sound unusual, I had the distinct feeling I was doing this on behalf of the mothers whose sons lay here.

A few tears welled in my eyes as I reflected.

Taking it all in.

We've one more lunch, this time with the local Board. After that, we'll fly to Hyderabad, then after a brief overnight stay in a hotel, another flight to Mumbai. From there, it's Heathrow, and the drive home. Maybe 30 hours, all in all. It's beginning-of-the-end-time.

So, then... time to think about it all, and what it means for me, and for YMCA Colchester. What does it all mean? I don't know, yet. I've got a head full of ideas- opportunities for the young people we work with to help here, different funding models, membership schemes... I'll be talking to tenants, staff and Board about it all, and what it could mean. This I do know: I will be returning a slightly different person to the Jon who left. It's been a very affecting experience.

It's all been a lot to take in. The weather, the food, the chaos, noise, the poverty, the goodwill, the welcome... but most of all, the people. It's the people of India who make it India. We've been very well looked after, and I'm very grateful to those who've done that. I'm not going to name them all here yet, because I'd forget someone, and I don't want to do that. We're all very grateful to everyone we've met. Dealing with a bunch of stressed, tired, sweaty foreigners can't have been easy, but the YMCA people here dealt with us with smiles all round. Nothing was too much trouble. It's been all good, all the time.

I'm not sure how I'll cope with not being able to eat curry three times a day, every day. ;)

So the ending begins?

For this past 10 days now we have had the time packed full of visits and experiences that have affected us to the inner most parts of our being. From the poverty in communities where YMCA is a presence and activitor for positive change in peoples lives and well being, to the excellence in teaching, learning and coaching in classrooms and colleges we have visited, all run by YMCA, we ponder now in a place called reflection.

We set out on this Discovery Visit with the main aim being the personal and professional development growth of all those involved in the group. I have a strong sense that this will not finish there.

Already talk has happened about potential partnerships and areas where we may be able to engage further, this is an exciting possibility.

I trust that the experience of the seven who have visited 'Incredible India' will spark a similar desire in their peers who, in line with the Leadership Development Strategy of YMCA in England, will want to pursue similar opportunities within the YMCA Global Movement.

Thank you India for showing us the potential.

Welcome to Fabulous #standingontheshouldersofgiants

Monday 10 November 2014

Photos from week 1

Village destroyed in Tsunami being rebuilt by YMCA

YMCA boys home 





We are greeted with beautiful drawings and fresh flowers everywhere we go 

Some of the boys cannot return home because of the ongoing flooding 

Some of the items made by a women's self help group - some of these are coming back with me! 

Always time for a selfie or 2!

Collecting the handmade items to bring back to England!

Causing mayhem wherever we go

Smile :D

Some of the local mums wanted a photo with us 

The women's self help group 

YMCA Physical Education College 

Distributing the gifts from friends in Telford and Shropshire 


Someone calls this home 

This gentleman couldn't believe his eyes at my height

The Tsunami hit community 


YMCA are rebuilding the village bit by bit 


A little bit different to our Consort House! 

40 years Later

Having had to turn down an opportunity to visit India via overland travel in 1974 because of career promotion, when the opportunity to join this discovery group visit arose earlier this year, I wasn't going to let the chance slip by a second time
Through earlier planning meetings in London the group members have jelled remarkably well and everyone has siezed opportunities presented to them on this trip.
From the time we arrived in New Delhi to the present, 8 days into the trip, all of my senses have been bombarded at 100mph.  India is everything and much more than I expected but the overwhelming surprise is the warmth, generosity and acceptance of the people we have met.
Although difficult to remember the order we have visited the many programmes and facilities in the first half of the visit, each and everyone had something special to remember them by, and the memory of the hospitality in particular will remain for the rest of my life.






Sunday 9 November 2014

Kathy Mohan is inspired!

I have been so touched by the warmth and hospitality of our Indian hosts. Personally I have never experienced anything like it before and I doubt I ever will again. We have been in Kerala and Tamil Nadhu and in both states have met with committed Christians who are pulling together to address inequality and improve the life chances of those less fortunate. They certainly face many challenges.


We have visited schools and boys homes and been to visit the homes of some living in the slums in Chennai. We have seen dedicated staff who are ambitious for the children and young people they are supporting. We had some fun together but it was hard to witness the conditions that they live in. Yet they have much to teach us  about joy.


The lay membership is enormous and very active.  We don't have the same level of membership in the UK and I think we could really learn from the Indian YMCA.


I will be returning to the UK with so much to think about and a real desire to continue the relationships I have begun to make..

YMCA Madras Physical Education College

We got off the home-from-home minibus tired, hot and grubby from the heat and travel. Walking into the hall, we could see a lot of people there waiting for us- really, a lot.


As we went in, 600+ students cheered us. Not just a polite smattering of applause, but a proper, full-throated cheer. It was amazing.


We were seated in front of the hall, draped with sandalwood beads, and presented with a golden bowl. Some mistake, surely? In England, I am, frankly, not that much of a big deal. I'm a senior manager, yeah, but... not worthy, not deserving of this welcome. I was in chinos, short-sleeved shirt and flip-flops. Not exactly dressed for the occasion.


After heartfelt speeches, the students put on a show. I mean, they really did put on a show. A yoga demonstration, dancing with exercise balls, a Goan dance, and an astonishing gymnastics display- human pyramids, four-tall, in the shape of cars and a train. With a student on top with a silver pom-pom, portraying the smoke from the funnel of the train. That was the point where I had to stop thinking about it all and start just letting it wash over me.


It took a while to leave. Lots of group photos, students wanting more photos... just the full rockstar treatment. It occurred to me as I got back on the bus: I will probably never have a welcome like that again. Not ever.


Madras really is quite a place.

A week today.....

Well, we have been in India for a week today and I am really struggling to find words to describe the experience I have had. But I can say that it has been the best experience of my life so far.The people we have met have been amazing, friendly, helpful and very understanding when we have all been really tried and not on top form due to a few very early mornings and flights! The welcome we have received from all the projects we have been too has been mind blowing and way way above any expectations.

This evening I went for a walk to do some shopping in Chennai and the only word I can use to describe it is WOW, sooo many people, cars, scooters, noises and smells it was so intense and to be honest, a little bit scary at times as you have no idea what mode of transport is coming at you from any direction! I thought it would be quiet due to it being Sunday here but I ended up in an 11 floor shopping center which was so full with people and their families that you could hardly move or take any time to try and work out what you might have wanted to buy! I will never moan about Colchester town center being busy again!
I realised that we have been some what sheltered from this so far as we have been in a mini bus and had great guidance from local YMCA staff so I think that's why it was even more of a shock and an assault on the senses!

I am off for some chocolate to recover and process my attempted shopping trip. :-)

Saturday 8 November 2014

Chennai

This trip has been mind blowing experience for me so far and yesterday was no exception!

Well what can I say? A roller coaster of emotions for me - we visited a school for boys and girls run by the YMCA. We arrived at lunch time and they went crazy with excitement  when we walked in! We were greeted with smiles, laughter, politeness and so much more that words and pictures can not capture.

We then went to visit a boys home, and what we experienced there hit us hard. I will try to post pictures later. 

The day ended with a visit to the amazing Chennai YMCA Physical Education centre, I tried very hard to score a couple of hoops  and nearly did with back throw! 

The students all had a fantastic attitude towards life and I felt a real buzz at the college.  The day was rounded off with a amazing welcome and performance from the students, which made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and I couldn't stop smiling! Yet another fabulous day in this wonderful country. It's such a privilege seeing the real India.

A conversation in Kerala, India.

"Excuse me, Miss Stella, but, it is unfortunate, I know: I smoke. It is a common habit in England. Is it possible for me to smoke here?"
"It is forbidden here, Mr Jonathan, but... this is a place that is private, so you may smoke. However, you are my brother, and out of respect  must tell you: smoking is injurious to your health.  You are wearing the beads you were given. They are the beads of a monk. No-one else was given beads of this kind. This is not co-incidence. You are like a monk. You see the world as a monk sees the world. You should be abstinent."
"Uh... yeah... thank you. I'm not sure that..."
"To shorten your life would be such a waste, would it not?"
"It would, yes..."
"Please, you must promise me that you will stop smoking. You must stop within one year from this day. You will promise me this, and take my hand?"
"Uh... uh... yes."
"This is your promise?"
"It is".

And that's why I'm going to stop smoking. Thank you Mrs Stella Thomas, Kerala, and India.

Discover India



Saturday 1st November 2014 


Arrived at Heathrow at 5.30pm to meet up with ken and the other YMCA professionals who would be accompanying us on this adventurous discovery visit to India.


The plane left around 9pm for the overnight first leg to Delhi and although smooth and relatively comfortable most of the group didn't get much sleep on the flight. 

There was plenty of time to think and I reflected on the fact that I had worked in the YMCA for 4 years at Central, 13 years at Hornsey and 14 years at Reigate and Redhill yet this was only my second international experience. The first being 5 days on a European Conference in Dublin in 1999.

Despite this my career had been successful within the Y, at least if judged upon development of programmes and projects. I was however for the first time struggling to find the energy needed to drive important new developments such as a recent re brand to YMCA East Surrey and a proposed £1.9 million capital project to build an inclusive sports facility.

I was hoping that this exciting trip to India would remind me of some of the grass roots work the YMCA does, albeit in another continent, and hopefully this would give me renewed inspiration.

Sunday 2nd November 2014

Indian clocks are 5 and a half hrs forward so the 5.30am arrival became 11.00am. After 4 hrs in Delhi airport we were off again to Trivandrum in the south. The second plane left Delhi at 2.30 and after a brief stop at Bangalore we were at our destination. We were picked up by representatives from the Kerala YMCA who took us back to the YMCA Guest House where we were staying that night. That evening we were treated to a fabulous buffet in an authentic local restaurant which was hosted by the national Chairman of the YMCA.

I was reminded of the exotic location when a large bat as big as a dove flew in through from the balcony of the restaurant and did a quick loop of the hall. One of our hosts explained that the bat was on the trail of insects.

Food included various curries and a traditional Kerala crepe called Docha followed by deserts. 

Slept well that night in my mossie net although the noise of the fan kept Ken (who was sleeping next door) awake all night he told me be next morning!

Monday 5th November 2014

After a breakfast of toast and black tea we set off at 8am in a slightly shabby old mini bus on what turned out to be an epic day. This was my first daylight view of India and it was true what they said. A manic multitude of colours and activity with people everywhere and roads full of tuk tuks, scooters and other motorised vehicles all going their own way regardless of their fellow road users.

Our driver was determined to overtake every vehicle in front of him regardless of what was coming the other way and it became a battle of wills as oncoming lorries had to slow down or veer away to prevent collisions.

After the first of many long drives we arrived at the Trivandrum YMCA Boys Home where around 10 young lads aged between 7 and 15 were waiting to greet us. One by one they stood up and walked across to where we were sitting, proudly presenting each of the group in turn with a single flower.

They then proceeded to sing a traditional Indian song . One of the older boys then brought out fresh coconuts and chopped pineapple. One of the YMCA staff told us about the work of the centre and how young boys from poor families were given accommodation plus a good education so that they could go on to make a success of themselves and go back to provide for their families. 

The surroundings were sparse and the staff looked quite severe but the boys appearance and behaviour suggested they were thriving in this environment. They were smiling and looked healthy and happy. The contrast between how little in material terms these young boys had and their positive attitude and respect they showed was marked. One of the YMCA regional reps told me how in the past they had relied on Suffolk YMCA and other English charities to help support their work. When he told me that the annual running costs were only £10k it made me realise how much our Challenge fundraising programme in Surrey could help these young people.

After leaving presents for the boys we set off to our next stop which was a women's project where women used traditional methods to make candles and soap which were sold to generate income in a mini social enterprise. A YMCA worker by the name of Stella explained how the soaps and candles were made and following refreshments we set off again to see the final project of the morning which was a school for young people with learning difficulties. 

My own YMCA provides a large programme of short breaks or respite care for families of children with disability and we have a number of Inclusive Youth Projects to help young people to learn skills and become more independent. I was keen to see the Indian YMCA approach as, perhaps wrongly, I assumed that equality of opportunity for those with disability in India was still in its infancy.

We were led into a tired badminton size sports hall where approx 50 children of various ages and disabilities were waiting seated patiently on one side of the hall. Beads were presented to each of our delegation by individual young people who one by one stood up and walked across the hall to where we were sat.

The school's President then stood up to speak, extending a warm welcome to us all. This was followed by an impressive dance routine carried out by six young women with learning disabilities. Each was dressed in identical traditional costumes and the performance was surprisingly complex combining traditional dance with drama. It was great to see these young people's talents and hard work celebrated in this way especially given the amount of enjoyment and pride they were so obviously experiencing.

Later that afternoon we proceeded to the Backwaters where we took a boat trip in a large thatched roof House Boat. Lunch including fish curry, fruit, salad and banana fritters was served as we motored across a perfectly flat Indian version of the Norfolk broads. This idyllic and peaceful experience was shattered when another boat jammed full of passengers appeared to be heading directly towards us. Despite warnings being shouted by members of the group the two boats collided spectacularly, causing damage to boats, but not thankfully people.

After returning to dry land or I should say 'wet land' as it had been a very rainy afternoon! we set off for what we thought would be a short final trip in the mini bus to the Aluva YMCA only to discover that it was going to take longer than expected. I write this still on the bus 2 and a half hrs later!

We eventfully arrived at Aluva where we had a friendly and welcoming meal with the Regional Chairman and his colleagues.

First impressions of the YMCA in Kerala are of a committed group of people proud of their worthwhile achievements. The respect they have given our delegation has been beyond expectation and on a number of occasions I personally have felt overawed and undeserving of this level of attention. Everyone from the Kerala YMCA have been so giving and at times I feel my response is inadequate. I have made a mental note to give all international visitors to YMCA East Surrey more time in future!

One fundamental difference between the Y in Kerala and in England is the way governance and finances are developed. In England YMCA work has been heavily influenced by funding streams from government such as Supported People which in many cases have dictated the way programmes are run. In Kerala there seems to be much more emphasis on membership and young people are recruited at high school or University before going on to become full members. These members provide the funds needed through donations, membership and fundraising and this gives them more ownership of the programmes which in turn stimulates more active governance. It also gives lay people a greater say in what the YMCA delivers and avoids the mission drift that can occur when YMCAs relies on money from government. Plenty of lessons to learn here for the UK!

Tuesday 4th November

Kerala literally means the land of the coconuts and everywhere you look there are large coconut trees. Throughout our travels we have often been greeted with the traditional beverage of coconut milk sometimes still in their green shells.

For breakfast we enjoyed more curry and Lebi the Regional Chairman introduced three young YMCA leaders who were to stay with us for the day. One had travelled 80km for the opportunity to meet us leaving at 5am from his home village.

We heard about the successful work the YMCA does in schools with its Kids Y, High Y and Uni Y programmes of day camps offering cultural activity, social action and friendship. Building relationships with young people whilst at school was an ideal way to sow the seeds of voluntary action and I suspect that many of these young people will go to be members who can help contribute something back in later life.

On Tuesday we visited the YMCA College at Aluva where we met with teachers and students. Once again I was overwhelmed by the greeting we received with teachers and students standing in formation at the steps as we drove in. Ken showed why he is leading the group by delivering an impromptu speech which became an interactive lesson on the history of the YMCA and an inspirational message to students suggesting that they, like George Williams should have high aspirations and aim to achieve them whatever they were.

We then had a chance to meet with teachers and students and interestingly there was quite a bit of diversity with many Hindus and a few Muslims as well as Christians amongst the students and teachers.

In the afternoon we were escorted to the Lu Lu shopping centre which is a large shopping centre similar to Bluewater in England . Our hosts were obviously very proud of this new and modern complex with many familiar designer name shops. I didn't have the heart to tell them that this is partly what we trying to get away from! It was however nice to sit down and have a cup of tea in the food court.

On our return we were treated to a lovely evening meal with the Charismatic Chairman of Kerala YMCA and his team before being whisked away to catch the night train to Kanniyakumari. Everyone was in high spirits and nervously looking forward to what was billed as an authentic Indian experience. We weren't disappointed as we boarded the train to find friendly Indians of all shapes and sizes crowding the carriages. Three tiers of bunks were situated opposite each other to create open cabins of 9 beds and this was the first class section. Other parts of the train were less comfortable and even more crowded. I walked down the carriage to find both doors of the train hooked open giving a nice breeze but also an incentive to lean out and feel the wind and see the countryside as we trundled on through the night. Our reservations were spread out amongst the carriage but Paulson from Kerala YMCA who had joined us a 'minder' managed to negotiate with other passengers so that we could all have bunks in one area. We had brought some refreshments and some of us sat up chatting as the train continued into the night only getting to bed at about 2am, 3 hrs before our ETA of 5am.

Wednesday 5th November

Sam the General Secretary of Kanniyakumari was at the station to meet us and took us straight to the most southern most tip of India so we could see the famous sunrise across the Indian Ocean. Cloudy skies prevented us getting the full experience but it was good to walk around what was effectively India's Lands End!

The group then returned to a wonderful welcome at the YMCA where we were presented with garlands of fresh flowers. It was also a special moment as it was the site of an earlier visit by Ken back in 1978. He had made the trip to India as a volunteer on a work party to build a chapel and there it was still standing in the grounds 36 years later. A small smiling old Indian man appeared to recognise Ken and he went inside and brought out an old photograph of the group that had built the chapel. In it there was a young Ken with shoulder length hair and a head band looking like a ginger Bjorn Borg!

Ken told us how his experiences back then had been a transformational moment in his life and it was nice to be able to share his obvious joy in returning to what was a special place with special memories.

Despite our lack of sleep and the early start we had a very full programme arranged for the day. We began by driving up the coast which had been devastated ten years earlier by the Tsunami. The beech was beautiful with yellow sand and surf and stretching for miles with not a soul in sight.

As we crossed the mouth of a river Sam pointed out the remains of a road bridge which had been washed away as the Tsunami hit. A memorial close by listed the names of 414 of the dead and the majority were under 8 or over 60. Seeing the damage caused and hearing stories of how the wave was higher than the coconut trees along the sea shore brought home the reality of the tragedy.

The YMCA works closely with those affected by the Tsunami and our next visit was to a community of people housed in homes purchased with £5m raised through Y Care. Most were families of fisherman who had become homeless as a result of the disaster and as we walked into their community we were met by Indian women in traditional dress many with tiny children under 5.  Mandi, one of our group, had fortunately brought woollen teddy bears which went down well with the group. As the group chatted to the families Sam explained how they were looking for £10,000 so they could build a day centre for young families on land adjacent to the houses that they owned. This would give families support and help give under 5's a good start in life.  I reflected upon the 64 Children Centres in Surrey which were well resourced to do exactly this job for children under 5 in England.  Another worthwhile Indian YMCA project which desperately needed help.

Next up on our busy schedule was a visit to Marthandam YMCA where we had ones of the customary Indian welcomes with staff throwing sweet smelling petals like confetti on our heads as we approached them. Pretty patterns were drawn in chalk on the floor. After a traditional honey cold drink we were treated to lunch at a local restaurant. 

Marthandam YMCA was the base for a number of rural projects designed to bring economic development and employment prospects to the local community.   After lunch we visited a women's project which was like a cottage industry hand making sanitary ware for free distribution in local schools. The women were really friendly, happily demonstrating their skills surrounded by small children. The idea of a small social enterprise that could offer employment and training opportunities along with an income stream is seen as a good model within YMCA's across the world and although the idea was good the viability of hand made sanitary ware was doubtful.

As we travelled on to our next destination amid the sounds of hooting horns and stop-start traffic it struck me that there were no traffic lights or roundabouts to manage the flow of vehicles through junctions. Maybe this was why drivers were so pushy, seemingly ignoring other vehicles on the road.

One of the most moving visits was to the boys Home at Muzhucode where we were given another exceptional welcome. 




























Our Indian Adventure

Heathrow 6pm met my colleagues from around England in eager anticipation for our epic discovery visit to India!
The flight left around 9pm and we landed in New Delhi at 10.30am staying in the airport for our next plane leaving at 2.30pm landing in Banglahor at 5.15pm...half the plane got off and then it quickly filled again with people travelling with us for the final leg on this monster journey, next stop Trivandrum arriving at 6.55pm...what a day!

The journey has been both enlightening and exhausting with not much sleep. The food on board has been a mixture of tasty and odd. When I asked what the options were the stewardess replied 'vegetarian and non-vegetarian' a phrase to be more commonly accepted over the next few days...

I think we've been fed every two hours for the time we've been airborne, at this rate I'll come back twice as big as I came! A mixture of fruits, hot sandwiches, curries and what feels like many more types of food have been taken: while we were waiting for our connecting flight in New Delhi, we had the audacity to actually have a quick bite to eat...

The travelling allowed the group to get to know each a little better, talking through what we wanted from the trip, our expectations and ultimately what it is as individuals we would like out of the visit to India.

The banter has already begun with people in good spirits, an air of excitement crossed with eagerness of adventure is creating a good atmosphere within the party...

The group is made up experienced professionals from the third sector: housing, mental health, addiction, support, youth work, training and education, however this journey into the unknown will require more than that. We will not only draw on each other's skills and experiences, but the strengths of friendships and bonds made over the coming days will be very much tested.

The adventure has begun and I for one, can't wait for anything and everything that comes our way!

Day 1 - Kerala 

We had a breakfast meeting with chair of Kerala district and student youth leaders from Aluva YMCA College. The conversations were around the work the YMCA is doing within education with students that come from real disadvantaged backgrounds.
We were then taken to the chair 's office with all staff of YMCA international guest house Aluva: they start every working day with a pray and a song before starting work: we were asked to be present and then to offer a pray. Ken spoke some thought provoking words within his pray on the hospitality that had already been shown. The student leaders gave us an insight into the work of the YMCA in Kerala: from KidsY, HighY and UniY. All work is around shaping the young people of India into good citizens: tackling social issues and creating a young population that is eager to help and support the poor in their communities and develop good projects which will benefit all of India: fantastic work!!!

We then travelled to the college and was greeted by the students , teachers and admin staff, a wonderfully humbling reception. After we met with the students, staff and chair who gave us a real insight into the project. A Q&A then happened between us all, allowing them and us to find out so much more on the feelings and emotions rather than the practicalities...the session finished by singing Indian national anthem...brilliant!
Following that we looked around the college and I went into the classrooms and generally fooled around with the children, I was quite taken with the affection shown and managed to get myself into some photos with the students...I found the meetings interesting but the time spent with the students was my real time: it will stay with me forever, the smiling faces, the laughter and enjoyment we got from each other's company!!!

We then had photo opportunities for the whole group outside complete with some students, a fantastic college which helps young people get an education when otherwise they would not.

At 10pm we left for the train station for our overnight train trip to Kanyakumari: train leaving at 10.40pm arriving 5.30am and our first engagement is 7.30am- should be fun! 

The train ride was an adventure, 6 of us in a very small space. Bunks that were strapped to the wall fell into place when released in a way that made the best use of space for the sardines we had become . The other 3 in the party slept in bunks running down the corridor, absolutely bonkers ! I was shoehorned into the middle shelf and cooked for 3 hours until the station arrived when I casually slipped out the oven and back onto the station feeling a lot like an escaping gingerbread man....

Thursday 6 November 2014

Reuniting families, building hope.

What a day today. 

We visited a place where a small village was wiped out on Boxing Day 2004 (the Tsunami). Most of the very young and over 60's were unable to run away from the devastation.

The YMCA helped reunite 27 families. The Indian government gave the land and YMCA paid for a new building. 

Thank you friends of Telford Foodbank  - you have given everyone in that community a teddy!



Wednesday 5 November 2014

Welcome to Fabulous


After 28 hour journey we arrived in Trivandrum in Kerala South India. It was 7.00pm on Sunday evening and we were greeted at the airport by Mr Paulson from the Kerala YMCA Regional Office. After a short but hectic journey we arrived at the YMCA and were greeted by the President of YMCA Kerala and a host of other YMCA lay leaders and staff. It was only a matter of minutes before we were shown to our rooms and immediately taken out to dinner with the assembled group.

In the main group to meet us was the National General Secretary of the YMCA in India. We were extended a very special Indian welcome prior to eating. After an absolutely wonderful evening, it was off to bed which for me was a very restless slumber.

I am not going to say anything further here about the visit, rather I want to let those participating in the Discovery Visit to contribute their verses during the coming days.

The Discovery Group has jelled like a dream, the engagement is incredible, the sensitivity is wonderful and I suspect that what they are experiencing so far during this past few days will prove to be life changing.

There is a deep vein of care, love, humility and support evident with ‘YMCA People’, apparent in all those who are being touched by this visit.


It is my immense privilege to be  #standingontheshouldersofgiants


We are here!

We finally arrived in Trivandrum in India at 8pm on Sunday (after leaving at 8.50pm on Saturday!)

http://www.ymcatvm.org/home.html

The welcome we have received has been wonderful! Our hosts have well and truly taken care of me, Lots of people keep coming to ask to have their photo taken with me, so I don't think they've seen a woman as tall as me before (I am 6ft!)

We've had wonderful welcomes everywhere we have gone and are now on an overnight express train to Nagarcoil where we have a full itinerary - photos to follow!


Friday 31 October 2014

All set for India (nearly!)

I am Mandie Mulloy, General Manager of Wellington and District YMCA.

I feel privileged to be part of the Discovery visit team. I feel a bit like I am going away with strangers but will come back with friends that I have shared the trip of a lifetime with! We all have the same passion for the work of the YMCA but we will all come home with different thoughts on various aspects of the visit that can influence our own work in our local YMCAs.

I am excited with the whole buzz of what India has to offer us, as I have only seen it on film and in books. I am prepared myself as much as I can for the deprivation that I am going to see. I've had to think carefully about what I am taking in my case - I've been given bags of sweets and hand knitted toys to give to the children that we meet which has meant I've had to hugely reduce the amount of clothing that I would normally pack but in the light of what we'll see on the trip, it's brought it home that the material things don't really matter.

Less than 36 hours to go until take off - feeling very excited!


Bears donated via Jake Bennett at Telford Foodbank , from Friends of West Mercia Police and Andy Hudson 


Tuesday 28 October 2014

Discover India 2014


Hi, I am Sara, Senior Support Worker at Colchester YMCA.

I am looking forward to being part of the Discovery India group which is leaving the sunny UK for a much warmer India on Saturday. I think I have almost finished packing but I'm sure I will work out more items to take come Saturday morning!

I am really excited about visiting YMCA in India as it is a country I have never really thought about visiting before. It will be an eye opening experience to see the culture and learn more about the people who live and work there. I hope that we can build links which I can bring back to Colchester to inform and educate our tenants and maybe even encourage them to visit in a volunteer capacity in the future.

Discovery Visit India 2014

Me
 
I'm Jon Harding, Housing Projects Manager at Colchester YMCA, and on Saturday I'll be one of the YMCA staff flying to India for twelve days. I should probably start packing at some point, I suppose.

I'd really like to be able to make the necessary contacts with colleagues in India to create a scheme whereby the young people we work with will get the opportunity to visit India to carry out voluntary work. However, I'm realistic enough to know that opportunities may vary, and I'll just have to adapt as we go along.

I've been told to expect a real culture shock: noise, colour, crowds, smells, the lot. I've travelled a little previously, but I'm still a bit trepidatious about this trip. Apart from anything else, I do like to eat. I'm semi-expecting to be ill with the infamous 'Delhi belly' at some point. This will also be the longest I've ever been away from my young son, and I expect to miss him very badly indeed. I'll worry about the project while I'm away, too, despite perfectly able, competant staff here telling me there's no need to do so. They know that I'll worry anyway, of course.

Introducing Kathy from North London YMCA

I am Kathy Mohan and I am the Housing Director at North London YMCA and am also visiting India. I was moved to join this trip to explore how we can work across national divides to support each other. 

I find that I am a mixture of excited and nervous as I prepare to go . We will be visiting a number of projects in Indian YMCAs where I know that they are working with great disadvantage , for instance with street children. It is making me reflect on what the differences and similarities are between the projects that we run.

I lead a comfortable urban life in England- I am going way out of my comfort zone on this trip!

Discovery India

Hi

My name is Ian Burks and I am CEO at YMCA East Surrey.

I am joining Ken Montgomery and others from the YMCA Federation on an exciting trip to India.  I hope to learn how the YMCA operates in a different continent and to find ways to set up cycling projects with young people that offer opportunities for personal development and fundraising for YMCA work both in England and in India.

I am also looking forward to seeing and experiencing a completely different land and culture!

I have got to admit I have been snowed under at work and have only just started to realise that we are actually flying out this Saturday.  Really looking forward to what I think will be quite an experience!