NABS in Bangalore

Our last day

2008-11-28T06:47:00.000-08:00

Friday 28th November 2008

Another wet moring in Bangalore so needless to say we were in for a change of plan. I was down early for breakfast (did I tell you that I like the food here?!) at which point the team leader told me that the site was not safe for us to work due to the heavy rain. It basically means that sewers would flood into the homes of the community and the building materials would become uselss until dry.

As this was the last day on site we were all understandably a little gutted. We were however allowed to visit the site and say farewell to the families that we had been helping. We left on time (9am) and headed to the slums. Despite the heavy rains the roads keep working and life carries on even though it is in 6 inches of mud in places (take note TFL!!!)

We arrived at the site to the usual excitement. Word had obviously got around that we were coming back as we were met with the usual smiles and happy faces. A sludgy walk past the first two houses and we realised why it wasn't an opiton to work when it's so wet. The sand is heavy and the breeze blocks become even heavier (we spent 2 days shifting them so let me tell you, you don't want them any heavier!!)

We took a group photo and then asked to go and visit the homes. As we expected, the sewers were at bursting point trickling into the drinking water wells and the paths had become a mixture of mud, garbage and cow pats. At this point you don't know what you are treading in so you just have to get on with it. I met with the family that I have been working with. They were happy to see us and had missed us these last few days. We looked at the work that we had so diligently cracked on with over the last few day. The shell of the house looked actually quite lifeless. It has been a hub of noise, team work and laughter for such a short time yet looked like it was just bricks and mortar again. We all looked at it and, with the language barriers, made gestures about where things were going to go, how many people would live there etc.

I have to say there were a few tears as we all had to eventually say our goodbyes. Each person held our hands and said we are now 'part of their family' and expressed how much we have changed their lives.

An example for you; just by moving bricks form one side of the road to the other has saved the family a tenth of the yearly wages by not employing local staff. Given the fact that each household earns approximately 40,000rps (about 500 gbp) per year we have saved them a lot. You look around at the absolute poverty and as you walk through, everyone smiles and waves.

We left the family and headed back to the main house where we normallty ate lunch and waited for the others. The team had organised a closing ceremony where we could express our thanks to them for allowing us into their community. Before we knew it, we had a representative from each family and many giggiling children all sat in the room wirth us. We were thanked by the team at Habitat for Humanity who are really quite increidble. The projects that they embark on are across the world. We were told that now we are part of the 1 million worldwide volunteers that will be doing what we have done across the world.

Then we had an impromptue perfomance from each of the children who sang songs and did little dance moves to rapturous appplause. A translater passed on the messages from each of the family representatives. Each of them said how grateful they were for showing them repsenct in their community and their homes, they actually felt like human beings.

Some of us made a little speech and I said a few words. I explained how they have taught us humility and the joy of being part of such an amazing community, amongst other things. The whole experience has obvioulsy moved quite a few people. Even some of the big boys were shedding a tear or two. As I was talking to the grandmother of the house in very short sentences she shook her head, grabbed my hand and smiled, simply saying 'thankyou, you are in our hearts'.

Although I have tried, I actually cannot explain how amzing, diverse and charged this place is. One thing I have learnt is that you may see material poverty but actually these people are some of the richest in the world, and if I can keep that thought when troubles try and bring me down back at home, then this trip has been worthwhile. As one lady said,'who has benefitted here, them or us?' I hope it is them but deep down I don't think one person can go home without being a different person...and that could be the start of something amazing.

This is my last update from India.

Ian Edwards, NABS

Day Four - Terror attacks in Mumbai

2008-11-28T06:35:00.000-08:00

Thursday 27th November 2008

We had a few issues yesterday with the troubles in Mumbai. Fortunaltey we are some distance away from the city so we weren't in too much danger. It did have a knock on effect to the project though.

We woke up to driving rain and the news that parts of the city of Mumbai were under seige. Not great. Our team leader had been in contact with the high commission who had advised us that we were to stay in the hotel until we received further details. The rain also menat that any work on the site would be hampered. What with the sewers flooding and the rain affecting the cement to build the houses, we were pretty much helpless until both issues had been addressed.

So, what do 20 media and advertising personnel do when trapped in a hotel? Well, some of us played cards and some chilled in their rooms. Before we knew it, it was lunch time and we had been given the all clear to leave the hotel and travel within a restricted area. With a little time on our hands, I ventured to a mall. Not the ideal trip in such an amazing country but it served a purpose to get some bits. Always nice to see Macdonalds so busy .... not!!!

The best part of heading out was the trip in a tuk tuk. Imagine a waltzer car with an engine, a few inches of the ground traveling at top speed. Flippijng brilliant!! These boys know how to drive!!!

Back safely in the 'big brother house' we were all offered an henna tattoo before dinner. I went for a design up my arm that actully looks rather fabulous. Yet another amazing dinner served. The food just keeps getting better and better. It puts the rubbish we are served in the form of takeaways into perspective! All well fed and watered, it was an early night.

Day Four ... halfway there!

2008-11-26T06:09:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 26th November 2008

Day four in India and day three of our build project.

An earlier start today as we are all keen to crack on. The weather didn't look to promising but we carried on anyway. A ll divided again into our teams and made for the site. The good thing about all of this is that people have been thrown together with others with whom they normally wouldn't be working.

Our site already had a layer of a three brick high wall around it so the land owner is obviously keen to crack on and continued after we left last night. So with no time to waste we got started. Mixing cemnet, moving breeze blocks and filling in the gaps between blocks. And before we know it we are heading to the four walls of the house.

Today has been a cracking day. I have walked around the streets and stoppped and talked with so many people. Everyone giving time and of course wanting to be on film. You only have to start filimg and before you know it you are directing a sea of children and parents who all want to wave at the screen.

I've been helping the others on different plots today. Moving 80 breeze blocks from one side of the sewer to the other. I stood on the slightly rickety stone bridge over the 'flow' so the smell wasn't too great ... or the view. Imagine Glastonbury toilets on the last day of the festival and multiply by, well, by a big number, and you probably have some sort of idea.

This house is being built next to the sewer and because of this they have to make the foundation higher. It floods in the monsoon season so can wash into the houses (and the drinking water well). The main focus of the day was watching a guy sawing down a treet next to the house. Quite impressive considering the lack of equipment they have.

Today out of all of the days we have started to get closer as a group. The overriding feeling is of excitement and a real "let's get as much done as possible before we go" attitude. I didn't realise until just before we came out here that we are the first western team to have even set foot in the slums and, better yet, to have embarked on such a project in India. Most of the projects are in the villages some distance away so we feel really honoured to have been accepted into such an amazing community.

We all left today feeling on top form (if a little tired). Tonight we have free time so have the choice to eat and do what we want. The group has divided and some of us are heading to another fabulous restaurant serving incredible food, and the others want pizza from Pizza Hut! I can have pizza back at home so won't be joining that group. I think some are fearful of disease and getting ill. I don't know when I'll be back in India so don't want to miss a thing; and to be honest I'd rather get ill knowing I have at least tried something new rather than recieved a bad dose of 'American Hot!' Still, each to their own.

Another full day tomorrow so we all really hope to see some further exciting results on the house.

I'm sure I could have said more but really, this time words cannot explain what an incredible experience this is.

Day Three - Getting Stuck In !

2008-11-26T06:04:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 25th November 2008

So, we are now into day 2 of the build.

We got more settled into the routine of things today as the shock of the first day was behind us and the community didn't stare at us quite so much. The warm wlcome we have recieved from all of the people is great. Everyone smiling and really excited to see us ... and some even running out of their houses to speak to us. We broke off into our groups once we dropped our bags in the usual place and headed towards our individual sites. Despite the families being aware of our arrival, some of them are still getting used to a few of the groups wanting to help. One team weren't able to get onto their site as the families thought they could do a quicker and better job. It soon became apparent that we are all here to help so the barriers came down and by lunch time they were up and running and getting along nicely.

I have to say that we are really quite lucky with our family. We are working with the father of the family and the grandmother (she's takes no nonsense from anyone which is quite funny considering she is only 4' tall!!). The foundations were almost dry so we started preparing the area for bricklaying. Even though none of us have experience in building houses the language barrier causes no problems as simple hand signals and smiles seem to get things done. We are all getting on as a team and there are some real laughs most of the day.

As I seem to be the main cameraman, I am spending a good portion of the time hopping from site to site. I actually quite like it as I can see first hand how much the teams are steaming ahead with the builds.

I think yesterday was one of the most emotional for the teams. What with jet lag, tiredness and the reality of working in an environment that is something quite extraordinary (I can't think of a stronger word but it blows your mind if you stand and look for too long!) we were a little snappy to say the least. So, a quieter vibe amongst us. I think there were a few thinking "what the hell am I doing here?!!!" The fact that construction was properly underway for most meant that all of this was quickly put to one side and the real job could start.

Mind you, I say that ...

Unfortunatley one team had been asigned to a plot that had undiscovered asbestos on it so had to be diverted to help elsewhere. The day ended on a high as we could all really see what we came out here for....houses startng to take shape.

On a lighter note ... the evening's entertainment consisted of a trip into the city centre.

Dirty, buzzing, busy!

Flipping great. I absolutely love it!!

Monday - Day Two in India, Day One on Site

2008-11-24T04:59:00.000-08:00

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 ...

Day One from our man in India ...

2008-11-24T04:53:00.000-08:00

Sunday 23rd November 2008

Well, I'm here.

After so many months I can't believe that I am now in a busy, bustling Bangalore. We all left on Saturday somewhat dazed and a little daunted by what was ahead of us.

We met with ourreps on arrival, two absolutely lovely guys, Vikram and Giovanni. They took the reigns from the airport and got us safely to our hotel. The journey between airport and hotel was somewhat quiet as we all stared out of the winow, a little stunned by the diverse and incredible sights.

You may have heard people talk about poverty next to riches in India. Well it's true. The journey took us past some incredible wealth and incredible opposites. I'm pleased to say that the smells I was warned about didn't come to light en route; just a faint waft of spices and diesel every now and then.

The hotel is basic but clean. After settling in we were given a presentation. I started the evening with a short speech to thank the hosts and the team. We were then fully briefed on what to expect over the coming days which I think proved a great help to the challengers (apart from the bit about rats, snakes and scorpions!!)

After a light lunch we were taken to the 'Lungs of Bangalore', a stunning 150 acre park. The groups strolled around in the warm afternoon sunshine taking in the sights. A bit of an afternoon shower prompted a swift move onto the temple which stands in the middle of a dusty, colourful market. The area was buzzing with a steady flow of people to lead us into the space.

A giant statue of a black cow stood in the centre of the building. Draped in flowers and surrounded by burnning incense and candles, it was actually quite powerful to see. The energy in the place was incredible. I wsn't quite sure what to do so I just kept walking and smiled a lot.

That evening we were taken by the hosts to a fabulous restaurant. We were driven again which has been great as this means we have been able to see so much in a short space of time. I could write for hours about all the different things that I saw during the day, but have to sign off now as I am late for another presentation that I can't miss ...