At our meeting with Mr. Kohli, we discussed how we can make our educational and vocational training more impactful by focusing on service jobs that are in high demand, such as plumbers, carpenters and electricians. By focusing on jobs like these, the students not only have a higher probability of being employed but they on average earn more than their peers who have nontechnical college degrees. Another way we can help increase the success of our students is to offer classes on basic skills we take for granted, like the importance of personal appearance and language skills. We also continued to discuss the hardships we will face with our center, including how to motivate children in the slums to become educated.

We are going to start importing bags from our social business into the United States in order to increase sales and be able to employ more women. While the bags will still be sold in India, we believe that as University of Florida students we can add much more value selling the bags in the US rather than in India where a Prayas employee is better suited for the job.

We are starting to realize how accustomed we are to life in Delhi after only 8 days. All we could do is laugh when our drive to Vidya Sankar school took 3 hours instead of the estimated 1 hour in a car with no A/C while temperatures outside hit 115 degrees.

These individuals working at these centers are truly amazing and inspiring. One man we met working in a center located in the slum of Ashokvihar had previously worked with Mother Teresa in Calcutta for 15 years. His experiences included working with the poor in Calcutta, Delhi, Japan, and South Africa. He told stories of having dinner with Nelson Mandela and being blessed by the late Pope John Paul II.
After four full days of work (including Saturday), we have learned about Prayas and the specific problems the organization is facing in trying to alleviate poverty throughout India. We will use the next week to begin implementing our action plan of how UF CHI can address the immense needs of poor in Delhi. First, we would like to move forward with our jute bag social business by marketing and selling the bags in the US. This sustainable initiative will help us expand the business and employ more impoverished women. As previously stated, we also plan to fund an integrated economic development center. This week we will be meeting various Prayas leaders and selecting a site for this project. Finally, to help our students interact with students at Prayas, we are in the process of setting up a pen pal system. This will help the Prayas students with both their English and their computer skills.
We took our Sunday off to recover and explore historic Delhi. We had been avoiding bike rickshaws up to this point but after a visit to the Red Fort the heat had worn us out and we wanted a quick lift to the nearest Metro station. It was an enjoyable ride and we realized that we are much more likely to sustain serious injuries from accidently walking in front of a rickshaw, rather than riding in one.

While the streets are chaotic and heat is intense, everyone is welcoming and the people and children of Prayas warm our hearts.

It is hard to believe that the culmination of months of preparation comes down to a check list of essentials for India. While these items are important, the closer I get to departure the more I focus on what really matters for our trip: establishing lasting connections for the future of UF Children’s Hope India.

Before we get into all of that, a few introductions: My name is James Nichols and I am a recent graduate of the University of Florida. In July I will be starting full time with General Electric in the FMP Program. I will be traveling to India with Carol Skordas, a senior at the University of Florida. Carol is a finance major and will be interning with Goldman Sachs starting in early June. We are excited for the trip and will both coincidentally be traveling in the U.K this week (me in Scotland, Carol in London). We leave for India on May 19th from London.

This summer’s internship trip reflects not only the hard work of Carol and myself, but also the past leaders of UF CHI. The organization has evolved from an education project into a sustainable social business initiative. This year we are looking to build on the social business initiative and strengthen our partnership with Prayas India. Our goal is to lay the groundwork for multiple UF students to work directly for Prayas from the U.S. remotely. We hope to help connect impoverished women in India with UF students through the internet to create opportunities for economic empowerment. The trip will provide us the opportunity to build valuable connections to make this happen. We will keep everyone updated on our adventures throughout the trip using this blog. Be sure to check back for more pictures, video and writing from us!

Stay tuned for the adventure to come! Without a doubt, we will be making and getting the most out of our trip and we’re excited to have you aboard! Thank you so much for all the supporters who believed from the start we could do it! You will see the ripple effects of your generosity spread across the globe as each day, we will be your tour guide into the lives of these children through our blogs.

Today marks the successful completion of our first day. After hours upon hours of delay at the airport, loss of luggage in New York, and a whirlwind day running on adrenaline, we’ve made it to India!

Unfortunately the fun doesn’t stop – we are literally running out the door to receive a new phone for emergencies and have less than 20 minutes to do so. We will certainly keep you posted on our first day’s adventures soon….

Unfortunately the fun doesn’t stop – we are literally running out the door to receive a new phone for emergencies and have less than 20 minutes to do so. We will certainly keep you posted on our first day’s adventures soon….

Upon arriving in Delhi after an escapade of missed connections and delayed flights, we arrived safely and met Akhilesh Sharma, Children’s Hope India’s project manager. Bernard and Melissa’s luggage were waiting patiently, but the airplane deities were not smiling upon me that night and it ultimately took three days to reclaim the lost luggage. For you hygienic readers out there, you’d be amazed at the wondrous smells one’s body produces when doused in nothing but deodorant, Deet Bug Spray, and an ample amount of 70 SPF Sunscreen for a few days on end without showering! Wednesday’s mission was to visit Prayas Juvenile Aid Center, a remarkable non-profit organization affecting thousands of youth and women throughout India. We were able to sit down and learn much from Amod Kanth, Prayas’ General Secretary and one of its earliest founders. H.N. Sahay, Prayas’ Director for the Institute of Economic Empowerment was able to convey a great deal of information about microfinance and women’s self help groups, two amazing programs with a possibility of transforming the economic landscape of India’s poverty-stricken communities.

Delhi is truly unlike anything I’ve yet to encounter. At the times the constant honking of horns is an entirely different language in and of itself as dozens of miniature cars compete for a six foot space in the middle of the road, coming mere inches from crashing into one another. As four-hundred pound cattle casually walk across a three lane highway we have to smile at such surprising sight. This could never happen in America – but here it’s just another part of life. Nonetheless, the future possibilities for sustainable aid are tremendous and our appetite for knowledge only grows each day. This is an endeavor far greater than any of us could have imagined at the forefront almost seven months ago. I’m excited to wholeheartedly put our minds and bodies to work: after combining a wee bit of humor, an immense amount of Americana zeal, and a fascination for the unknown, this will be one remarkable adventure.

Till next time,
Brian

The school we were brought to houses over 100 children and provides them with 2 quality meals, education and some form of vocational training/artistic skill each day. We were mesmerized by the level of artistic abilities demonstrated by the children. They had all been taught how to sew, draw mehandi and design other forms of pottery and marketable skills. By affording impoverished children with these few skills, this NGO offers students the opportunity and ability to succeed in a profession which would otherwise not be available to them. As we went to leave the school, the lyrics from the song the children sung to us resonated within my head…”live in the moment, be happy and grateful for what has been bestowed upon you.”

Finally, with 2 suit cases in his possession and 4 hours later, we were able to reconvene with Brian and head to Shadipur Depot, the Children’s Hope facility. Unfortunately, the rains were so terrible that by the time we reached the colony the roads were too flooded to allow passage to the site. With great disappointment, we decided to drive back in the direction of Arushi’s home to discuss our plans for the following days. The rest of the day was spent traveling through busy Indian traffic, making curriculum copies, shopping for materials and brainstorming on how we can most effectively carry out our program’s mission. At the end of the day, we remained hopeful, confident and excited with anticipation for the commencement of our program.

Signing off,

Melissa

Today marked India’s 61st anniversary of Independence, and what a great time it was to be here! We celebrated its political independence in a unique way: India’s independence from strife and turmoil. Secretary General Kanth, the founder of Prayas, conveyed it best, “Today we do not celebrate our independence from foreigners and outside influences. Today we celebrate India’s independence from poverty, illiteracy, child labor and trafficking, and sicknesses.” The day filled itself with events to personify his words, including cultural dances, songs, and skits performed by the boys and girls of the Jan Shikshan Sansthan Prayas center and Prayas Head Office. Over 10 performances graced the stage, as they embodied themes of celebrating in the moment, living without the fear of child labor, and rejoicing in the culture and country that surrounds them.

In a way, India’s Independence Day also brought a sort of independence for us too as we stepped out of comfort zones and challenged ourselves to new heights. We danced with the children performers on stage to Indian music in front of hundreds of individuals. For the first time, we got to try traditional South Indian food, which spiced our taste buds and enriched our appetite. And most importantly, meetings with top individuals such as Secretary General Kanth, Dr. Ali (Praya’s Executive Director), Ms. Arun Grover (the Director of Jan Shikshan Sansthan Prayas and Praya’s Banker), and Pawar (The Head of Delhi University’s Art Department) launched talks about future plans for micro – financing and additional educational initiatives, making our remaining time here more valuable and precious with followup meetings and dinner arrangements.

Independence Day: Our day to celebrate life, freedom, and the challenges/opportunities we face, overcome, and grow from. In our group’s case, we are excited and ready for the next step in planning to positively touch the lives of India’s children.

Seeing you soon,
Bernard

It is necessary to advocate Secretary General Kanth’s message of independence by establishing a firm foundation of education for these children. The remainder of our afternoon was spent forging a relationship with Children’s Hope India’s managers and devising key initiatives to aid in each child’s development. Our initial efforts will be focused on computer education, behavioral development, basic economics, and the importance of personal savings. By uniting with Prayas, aspiring collegiate chapters throughout the United States, and our CHI network, we will achieve the goal of independence from poverty Mr. Kanth laid out so eloquently one day prior. Rather than viewing Kathputli Colony as desolate and impoverished, we are focusing our efforts on the community’s future change-agents: its children.

Cheers,
Brian