Final Impression, March 2010
Ms. Nora Dilling


Introduction:

The land of colorful saris, many of the gods, the extreme kitsch of Bollywood, the elephants, probably never sleeping cities and villages of timeless: India. During my first visit in 2008 I was fascinated by the contrast of this multifaceted land.

As I came again in 2010 to India, it was this time something else, it should be become something far away from all tourist paths. I didn’t want to move on as a Traveler from place to place, look for sights and try to understand with my little knowledge the country and the mentality of the people. Rather, I was interested in the daily lives of Indians.

Thus, the small, familial NGO Sambhali Trust was exactly the right address:


Sambhali Trust:

India is dominated by a patriarchal structure and the strict belief of a God-given hiercharchie. Casteless particularly women and girls or those from a lower caste, are on the edge of society.

The NGO founded by Govind Rathore, gives girls and women from this very low caste or untouchables, space for meetings and learning. In Sambhali Trust they find trusted contact persons and get English, Hindi, and "Art and Craft" - classes. Here they can meet friends, talk, laugh and play. The education and care experienced in Sambhali Trust, is the foundation, for these woman and girls, for a self and independent life in the Indian society.

By learning and being together with volunteers, many of these women and girls can exercise their own position in society and reflect it. Volunteers bring fresh ideas in the curriculum. With workshops about "Women's Rights", "Sex Education", "hygiene" "Geography" "behavior" etc., we offer these people a space of more liberal and self-thinking.

The starting point of the NGO) is the desert city, Jodhpur in Rajasthan (northern India). One of the poorest and most conservative states in India. In Jodhpur are acting different projects. For example, in the beautiful blue Guest House (which is management of Govind's wife) and in the Payal Sewing Center, the women and girls meet daily to learn and play daily.

In the middle of the desert, 110 kilometers west lies the small village of 3000 inhabitants, Setrawa. The Sambhali Trust school here, offering young girls from all castes, Rooms to meet and learn.


Living in Setrawa:

It is an intense and extreme experience to live in a small village, in the middle of nowhere, with a local Indian family. It takes a little time to get used to the still very simple standard of living and to the different way of life.

In this process I realized how little is my knowledge about this culture. Life in the family and working in the school manifested my theoretical knowledge about the country and mentality and I began to really understand.

In Rajasthan, it means "the guest is God". That this is taken so literally, I didn’t initially expect. Everbody and especially my host family was super caring and spoil me with Indian delicacies. For some palates perhaps somewhat one-sided: Breakfast-Riceflakes with chilli and tomatoes, Luch- Chapatti vegetables, chapatti, Dinner- chapatti with vegetables. In between some chai. I loved it!

The biggest Difficulty was the language barrier. My host family spoke almost no English. But on my part with a bit of Hindi, English and a bit more body language, we could communicate a little.

Over time I found my place in the family and they got used to my confused acting Requirements of a Western woman. Initially, it was for my family completely incomprehensible that every day I also took time for me alone. The Indian is a family- and group person and in this construct, he takes its place and finds its identity.. The urge to privacy and "be alone" is completely foreign to the Indians.

Life in Setrawa is simple and modest. But yet I found everything what I needed. On the market you find everything from the banana to the soap. There are even little shopping. I acquired there kitschy Anklets with pink, black hearts and they were the absolute eye catcher.

The villagers of Setrawa are all friendly. I always met smile faces and prying eyes.


Sambhali School

For me it was a very special and formative experience to work as a teacher. I attended only 2 years before my graduation and never acted before in such a position. To be a Teacher in Setrawa you need a high degree of independence and creativity. The school does have a laid down schedule and a cupboard full of teaching and textbooks, games and colors. Nevertheless, there is no fixed structure or a senior curriculum.

I always tried to teach English in a playful way. The keys to success in learning, have fun while lerning, laughing, working with all the senses, to repeat, repeat, and a lot of patience on my part.

Overall, I put my focus on pedagogical teaching methods that are based on the following objectives:

- The interest in learning to awaken

- Building group dynamics

- The trust and understanding each other better

- Independent thinking and Encourage Work

- Making decisions to develop

- Sharpen the sense

- The own position at home and in society recognize and reflect

- Emotions act out, talk about feelings

- Own forces to find and awaken

(For more detailed descriptions and information take a look in the folder in Jodhpur)

Teaching English in order to truly sustainable and to convey a feeling for grammar, you need more time and continuity and mastered the local language.

The most of the pupils were highly motivated and enthusiastic in the matter. Often, some sat with their books and pencils before school begins in the classroom and just waiting to start out.

Leitmotiv for the next Volunteers:

You will find the timetable depends in Jodhpur in the office, as well as in Setrawa in school.

It makes sense to share the class in beginner and advanced students. Ideal would be to share it in 3 classes. This is naturally only possible with more Volunteers

Every Monday, we opened the week with a seating circle, where each girl should say something to about her feeling on this day. (how are you, how was your weekend?).

Each girl has a "Wordcardbox" where they collect their vocabulary sheet. This box can be taken home.

Tests; The girls love tests.

A great game on top of each lesson is a vocabulary contest. Indian words are shown and who knows at first the English word, gets the point. Anyone who has collected the most points allowed aspiring to the next round of the manual.

All themes and most of the workshops, which I have conducted, are written down and in a folder in Jodhpur

Every Friday is “gameday”.

The next Volunteer should take the time to sift through the bookcase and the large silver box.


Resume

With a laughing and crying eye, I will leave my cherished Setrawa village and the Sambhali Trust Organization. On the whole it was a brilliant time with al lot of unique nobles, pictures and experiences.

I go with a good feeling and with the feeling to have done a good job. Also I'm very happy to be allowed to take personal experience and continue my trip to India, with an expanded view of the effects for the country and culture.