Cha, Muri and smiles

Cha, Muri and smiles – these are some of the highlights of my day. Yes the Cha (tea) is great in itself but it is the time of day we get to sit with the ladies and share muri (puffed rice with random other things mixed in) and plenty of smiles that makes it so wonderful. I find myself being given handfuls of muri left, right and centre. People said I would lose weight in India but at this rate that won’t happen!

The daily morning and afternoon cha times are great. Yet better still are the times we have cha or a meal in the ladies homes. We are ushered onto their beds to sit while we exchange simple words and many more smiles. The people here are so humble and generous. And it can be hard at times to accept. Yet we know that just being there means so much to them. And simple phrases like “very beautiful” or “very good” go a long way…

After being here about 2 months the hardest thing is still grappling with the language. But I have bits here and there that seem to be enough to communicate at some level. And sometimes all they need is a simple smile as you pass by. One woman I have really enjoyed sitting down with at Cha is deaf and so it doesn’t even matter that I don’t know Bangla! She is a real character and never short of gestures or a cheeky grin.

On a typical day I spend most of my time in the only AC office (or the fridge box) at my computer preparing designs for custom orders and getting them prepared for printing. I also work on other various design jobs as well.

Right now it is Puja time in Kolkata. Basically it is like our Christmas, where the whole area becomes very festive. I don’t admire the gods but I certainly admire the creativity and the dedication. Sprinkled throughout the area are Pandal’s, which are temporary buildings (or in some cases ships or mountains!) that house heavily decorated idols of gods and goddesses that surround the mother goddess Durga.

So Durga Puja has just been and this weekend is another festival that include smaller idols. I expected the time to be somewhat oppressive but instead it became an opportunity for greater community. In fact last weekend the four days felt like an entire week as we got invited to go ‘pandal hopping’, eating in families homes, having fun at the carnivals and simply wandering about.

Yesterday I had the amazing privilege and opportunity to visit Serampore where William Carey spent some time. First we went to the grave and saw his plot amongst a fairly unkempt garden. We then went to the college and museum before making our way back past other interesting buildings. It was great to look upon a reminder of a man who gave his life for the cause with such courageous passion and instigated a whole new flow of men and women who sacrificially dedicated their lives.

Wearing a Sari at the Freeset Birthday Party

Everyone having a good dance at the Birthday

William Carey's grave in Serampore

Inquisitive children in Serampore (I don't think they see many white people!)

Sarah (my flatmate) on the road towards Freeset

A very typical scene - a stray dog, a crow and a pile of rubbish!

Pandel hopping in during Durga Puja

The kids that we often hang out with who live nearby

The Streets of Kolkata

Well… the words to describe Kolkata seem endless…

dirty
colourful
noisy
vibrant
painful
wonderful
crowded
quirky…

Heat that overwhelms and rain that rushes down
Rubbish and dirt and dust
The impatient honk of car horns
The constant rings of a bicycle
Stray dogs lying about
Even the odd rat scurrying by
Music blaring from the street corner
Children laughing and giggling
Layers of colourful paint peeling
The glistening of vibrant snacks for sale
Interesting alcoves and railings
Patterns and colours of Sari’s and Salwars
The odd smell of things unknown
The undeniable smell of fragrant spices

My first impressions of Kolkata were overwhelming. It was the way I expected but to think and hear about it is nothing to experiencing it in reality. Even though poverty and filth is rife, amidst the pain there is the laughter of children as they greet you passing by or the smile of a shopkeeper pleased with a new friend. Locals tend to live in very cramped and primitive situations and they do anything to survive. Some even sell their very bodies. And that is why I’m here.

Tonight I walked through Sonagacchi – the red light district of Kolkata where 10,000 women stand around at the edge of the streets waiting… Some are in tees and jeans and others in their Sari’s. Some smile at you and others don’t. Yet beneath the smiles there is undeniable pain. For most it is simply survival.

So we visited a young girl and her mother to offer a job at Freeset. The power was off so we climbed a dark maze of steps to her room on the roof using a cellphone as a torch. The room was tiny yet so very typical. Kerry and one of the Freeset Women, Menaka*, talked to them about what it meant to work at Freeset. We were offered lovely chai tea in clay pots and then we headed off back through the streets of Sonagacchi at a time when it was becoming increasingly more active. Dear Menaka held my hand to guide me and protect me. After stopping to greet a few girls we returned and I can’t help but be reminded that this is what it’s all about. Setting women free from such a despicable act of injustice and offering them love, hope and Freedom.

Freeset is such a haven. I still remember that first sight when I looked down from the balcony upon 160 women in their colourful sari’s singing and smiling. And each day it is a joy to look upon their beautiful faces and know that each individual has a story of FREEDOM.

Walking down the main street


Sarah - the Designer whose role I'm replacing


Crossing the street can be challenging!


The Street where I live

The Vibrancy of Singapore

Before I describe Kolkata I want to mention that my time in Singapore was amazing. God put me together with so many people that have the same heart for reaching across cultures. I really enjoyed developing these friendships and experiencing the vibrancy and activity of Singapore. Singaporeans love two things – food and shopping. I held off on the shopping (India is far cheaper!) but the food was memorable. Ah the good times with the daily lunch at the Hawkers Markets or the amazing spread at Deborah’s (her maid could outdo many a chef!). But aside from the great food and the amazing people, I was working on graphic design material that will help awaken people to the needs of many unreached peoples…

Friends at the WO Dinner

The office team

Last lunch at the Hawkers

Amazing feast at Deborah's (for 4 people!!)

Training in Chiang Mai

The course has finished and we have all dispersed after living and studying together for 6 weeks. I have really enjoyed it and it’s opened my mind to so many aspects of cross-cultural work that I know will help me be more effective no matter where I am. We have learnt how to understand other cultures better and communicate in a way that fits with their culture.

So much damage has been done in the past where people have gone into these countries bringing all of their cultural baggage and expecting the people to conform to their way of thinking. Instead it is important to appreciate the people and their culture for what it is, speaking the message of truth in love and respect.

Highlights from the course include crazy role-plays, interesting debates and discussions, stimulating insights, video clips, and other activities that got us thinking and laughing! We covered many subjects including world religions, animism, communication, strategy, signs and wonders, leadership and so on. Many things will continue to impact me – one thing I think of now is that we must ask not “What can I do?” but “What can be done?” It’s not about us, it’s all about the people and their needs. And together we can make a difference.

Thailand is an amazing place. The people are friendly, the food is wonderful and the atmosphere is peaceful and respectful. This is “the land of smiles” and you see it everywhere. I’ve enjoyed getting to know a few local Thai people. Prince, Koi and Joy from the university were lovely. They wanted to practice their English on me and I ended up taking a Thai lesson from them. They were very sweet and we all enjoyed laughing at each other’s language / communication troubles! The ‘coffee lady’ Koi was also very lovely and I’ll miss Vietnamese coffee at her place.

So these 6 weeks have been truly inspiring and impacting and I know that I am equipped with so much more. I have gained many new friends from all around the world who are heading off to diverse locations. And I now have a far greater understanding of what it means to share the love that saves.

Prince, Joy & Koi


With Prince & Joy

An outing with a few of my classmates and tutors



This was our tribe in a cultural communication activity!


A typical Chiang Mai scene


A Thai church service where we had to learn a song in Thai!


Graduation - receiving my certificate


All of the crew


I spent a fair bit of time taking photos!


A young elephant

Cultures, Learning, People...

Well I do have to say this week has been awesome! I have so loved meeting all kinds of new people from various backgrounds that are going onto so many different locations. And yet we are brought together here with the same purpose in mind.

4 people are from North East India so it has been great learning a few things from them. We also have people from Australia, Singapore, Germany, Malaysia, Thailand, and New Zealand. Each day we have 5 hours of lectures followed by up to 5hours readings / assignments. It is quite full on during the week but I’m learning a lot. And it makes all the difference when you learn what you are passionate about it.

So far I have been learning about things such as anthropology, structures, dealing with culture shock and stress, plus all kinds of cultural tips. Because the people on the course are from all kinds of cultures the class discussions have been really interesting. The lecturers are all very experienced and brilliant in bringing the sessions to life with stimulating discussions, group debates, drawings, and even crazy roleplays!

I’ve found it very useful in preparing myself psychologically for living and working in Kolkata. Kolkata isn’t a walk in the park so it helpful to know what to expect and to talk to people who have walked similar paths before.

Apart from going out to Dinner each night, we don’t tend to leave the hotel much during the week. But if I keep on top of the readings the weekends are free! This last weekend I went for a super long walk which is crazy in this heat but felt so good. All the sitting down and white rice isn’t the best for you.

Last night we went to one of the famous markets. It was absolutely stunning – all the beautiful craftsmanship, local foods, lights and myriads of people. There were carved soaps that looked like flowers, hand-woven silks, gorgeous tribal colours, amazing smells and the sound of drums, dancers and singers. A great atmosphere really.

Night Markets

Chiang Mai

Day one of my course is almost finished and I have to say it’s interesting getting back into full on study and assignments again!! I love it but it takes a while for the brain to easy into it! After a morning of lectures and an afternoon of readings I’ve just come back from dinner at one of the local eating places. 25 bhat!! Just over $1 NZD!! I’m not entirely sure what I ended up with because the waiter didn’t know English but it was tasty! So that has been a whole new step up from Singapore – English certainly isn’t the first language here so it’s interesting trying to communicate. I really do wish I knew Thai!

My flight up to Chiang Mai was a beauty. The sun was just setting and catching the river in Bangkok beautifully. Then coming down through the clouds into the beautiful mountain-surrounded Chiang Mai was so pleasant. I haven’t had the chance to explore much yet but it’s certainly a lot quieter and rougher than Singapore, yet with the roughness there is character and a humbleness about it. And most of all the people are lovely.

Bangkok Airport

Well I’m just writing this while sitting in the Bangkok airport killing some time. Yesterday Anna and I checked out the Singapore Zoo because I’d heard it should be high on to do list. It was nice. The highlight was probably the short little boat trip round the reservoir – so calm and beautiful. Seeing all sorts of different animals is always interesting but the highlight was most definitely the Night Safari. A world first apparently. We had burgers for dinner, which was almost surreal after 3 weeks on rice or noodles! Then fire-breathing tribal dancers kick-started the night giving us a crazy performance. You could feel the heat each time they blasted fire from their mouths! Next we climbed onto the safari tram and moved about through the zoo looking at many kinds of animals.

Singapore Zoo and Night Safari

Since I last wrote I talked about designing posters and seeing the smiles of kids whose lives had been transformed. That was such a delight to see but then looking at the kids still IN crisis was another story. It’s heart-breaking to see young African kids so malnutritioned or Asian children lost without parents. The contrast is huge. My desire is that these posters would motivate those of us who are so blessed to play our part in encouraging change in whatever way we can.

Well I can tell from the short time I’ve been in Thailand already that I’m going to enjoy my time here. It’s a beautiful exquisite culture. It’s one thing to be in Singapore with such a diversity of cultures, but to experience one in more depth is interesting on another level.

Durian “delight”, challenges of India and smiles of hope.

Well tonight I tried Durian at long last. I quickly learnt that it was the “king of the fruits” and that most Asians adore it. They even have Durian parties!! But it’s smell is so pungent it’s banned on public transport! Crazy. It’s the kind of thing that you either passionately hate or passionately love. So I was determined to try some. After dinner Janet and Tarn Ping took me through to the fruit shops and we came across a stand full of them! After a good chop they gave me a piece and I wasn’t entirely sure what to make of it. But by the end I’d decided it was pretty good. They also pointed out dozens of other tropical fruits – I would have come home with an armload full if I weren’t going to Thailand in a few days!

There is never any shortage of new and interesting eats with this week has been the most adventurous yet. Probably the most unusual sounding was the pigs trotter in a black vinegar sauce. Very tasty actually! But probably more unusual was the rice flour ”things” (still don’t know what it was!) with a sauce of preserved vegetables on a plate of brown paper!!

Anyway enough about food. Really my stay in Singapore isn’t just about food! On Tuesday night I went to a small group get together and it was nice meeting some more new people. A few had been to India and one women had lived in Mumbai for a year. She told me about some of the hardships and challenges of living in a place like that. Not to scare me out of it but to prepare me. She mentioned things like being moved around with the crowds, the food standards, the smells and dealing with the poverty that you see constantly. I’m aware that it is a tough place but you can’t really know until your faced with it yourself.

Yet with all this I know I’m meant to be there. Committing to 12 months wasn’t exactly easy having never been there but that’s where faith comes in!! I know I’ll receive the strength I need. Sometimes the most rewarding things are also the most challenging things.

In terms of work I’ve been working on some posters showing three areas - Kids in Crisis, Leadership Development and Micro-enterprise. I’ve really enjoyed looking through all the photos – especially of all the gorgeous smiling children who have been given a hope and future. It reminds me of what this is all about.

Food, nighttime wandering, Bangla & designing...

After another week in Singapore I’m starting to get a good handle on the place but there are still adventures all the time. Like the daily encounter with new food!! There certainly isn’t a shortage of interesting local food here. They say Singaporeans enjoy two favourite pastimes – shopping and eating! And it’s so true!

But aside from food since I last talked I’ve enjoyed going to the Botanic Gardens for a Sunday wander. Tuesday night I went to a get together thing in the city. It was so beautiful – with just a guitar and a room full of passionate people singing to God. Quite moving really. I’ll definitely be back. I wasn’t entirely sure how to get home but after taking a train to somewhere close, wandering round in circles looking for a bus that wasn’t going to come until the next day and then waiting for a cab because when I realised where I was I really didn’t want to walk home at 12:00am. So that was interesting, always a bit of an adventure when you don’t know where you are!

Yesterday I went out to the Bible college again and helped the team going to Bangladesh learn a few things in Bangla. Bangla (or Bengali) is the language spoken in Kolkata so it’s my mission to learn as much as possible before I go. I certainly don’t know enough yet but it was fun giving the guys a few language and cultural pointers.

Other than that I’ve been designing away on my computer. At the moment my main goal is to design a flyer that introduces World Outreach. The catchphrase is “you can make a difference” and so my goal is that people are attracted to it, pick it up and agree that they can indeed make a difference.

Bhalo Thakben (Goodbye – lit. Stay Well in Bangla)


Where I live & Work


Random fruits at a "Wet Market"


Working away


Tonight's sunrise from the kitchen