Monday 24th November 2008
An early breakfast this morning. A few of the team are still jet lagged so we started with a mixed bag of giggles and yawns. All quite chipper en route to the site. One thing I will say about this place ... the traffic is shocking. Mind you, there are very few crashes apparently which is surpising.
Before long we arrived at the entrance to the slums. My word, it really is what you imagine and then more so. I actually can't find the words to explain how little these people have. We walked the different alley ways and 'streets', getting used to the smell of spices and sewers, with some incredible pockets of colour, noise, dust.....but even with all this going on, it seems very calm.
We were met by the team leader and split into groups. Each group was given a house/project to work on. The family I am working with (along with i-level Managing Director Faith Carthy, Emily Graham and Mark Graeme from Rainey Kelly and Ollie Bath, also from i-level) are incredible. They have nothing yet seem so contented. We have worked closely with them today and spent all morning digging foundations. Tomorrow we can hopefully start building the walls.
With day 1 delivering a bit of a jolt to all invloved, it really looks like the week is going to get better and better. The family have already said to us they will never forget the help we have given, even this far. It's quite amazing that if you take away all the nonsense of day to day living, a simple smile seems to bring home what actually matters. Same again tomorrow so I'll drop you a line then ...
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