A few weeks ago we decided it was time to organise another picnic for the Boys' Home boys. When we have a lot of interns we like to take the boys for a field trip to get them out of the home and to reward them for coming to class and being well-behaved and generally to give them something to look at other than the same four walls they see every day. Again, I think I'll steal Martina's words to describe the day to you:
"Today was the day of the boys’ home picnic, which was so much fun I can barely describe!! We each were told to have a boy – or, in my case, two – to look after so that they’d all be kept under our watchful gaze: my boys were Nishant and Ashok and I was so damn happy to have them. Originally Amaidhi was taking Nishant but he ran over to me and threw his arms around me and refused to let go. Hah! Similar situation with Ashok, only he took my arm. Oh it feels good to be loved! Nishant also told us later when we were teaching him “I like Lalbagh and I don’t like fighting”, “I like Tina!” Having said all of this, Ashok partially abandoned me for Lisa when she arrived, but it was fine: we have to encourage sharing, even of human beings.
So we played games with the boys and they did cartwheels and handstands and goodness knows what else, and then we had a really scrummy lunch which I shared with Nishant because little piggy boy was still hungry and had nicely sat himself next to me, probably in the knowledge that I would take pity and give him all my food. We also got them all juice and icecream, so they were happy! Mujaipasha was especially thrilled, and it was good to see Naresh out of the boys’ home for once…"
Next week we are planning on taking 20 girls from the nearby Girls' Home on a similar trip so they also can enjoy some fresh air and games.
In other news, our friend Saravana has organised his dance group to come teach the boys Kalari, an ancient dance/martial art. Their lessons begin next week, which ought to be fun!
