Today we visited the Aparajitha Corporate Service headquarters in Madurai. The school organization has grown from a pilot program in 5 schools to an increasing 4,000 schools in the area. The 4,000 schools have not implemented the skills program that has been developed but are in the running for receiving this government based need. The lessons provided by the school organization are via videos depicted for each lesson plan. Madurai is a tier two district primarily meaning agriculture is the main production as well as tourism dependent. With this in mind, the Aparajitha foundation has been developed from a second district tier citizen and has the many traits that would help facilitate the need of the schools. A transformation change through awareness is the main goal = Thalir Thiran Thiltam. The curriculum is based off of life skills as well as basic skills. Each lesson will encompass 4-5 objectives in a 1.5 hour time. Many of the projects the organization would like help with are based on health/hygiene as well as song writing and impact assessment which can be done simply with the correct tools. I have found that I am very interested in the school itself but am not sure that working with this organization would allow me to make use of the many ideas/skills I believe I have to offer. I would love to see a positive progression in the program after an assessment is completed but do not think I am the one to implement such a program. The organization has been built form the ground up as well as encompasses many of the WHO’s main components and addresses each in an accurate fashion.
I have learned many important cultural aspects while progressing through out my day not only at the organization but on our trip to Kerala. One of the main ideas learned is in the cultural aspect concerning Indian verbal culture. It is culturally appropriate to interrupt others while talking in a small group or a large group. Not waiting for others to finish their sentences in the Indian culture is culturally seen as positive and forth coming. I have seen this form of communication among ALL Indians while being here for a week, simply. Adapting to this form of communication is not necessarily difficult but it is different. I was taught to not interrupt, to not be rude and to give respect to those who are talking. With my background and my knowledge base I have found it entirely impressive as to how they interact in such a forth coming and if I may say “rude” manner. Another cultural aspect I have come to learn is that yoga is not taught to young children based on the fact that it may be paired with a specific religion and this is not necessarily their place to imply any religion in general. With this in mind I was very surprised because yoga was originally brought up in India, in general, and has been taught and learned by many people across the world. Although, we as Americans see yoga as a form of exercise not as a form of self control and peace with in our mind and body, balance is not focused on in American yoga. The last cultural idea I have learned is the fact that sex education is not addressed, taught or even remotely talked about in school systems. They believe that the less information the better. The idea behind this is that the school does not want information that may/may not be controversial to both the student, family and the school. Rather than running along this path, they simply remove the path. I have not only learned about the culture in India today but I have also learned about myself as a health educator.
Coming to India was a goal I had set at the beginning of October and I had big plans to change the health of millions of Indian people but as I have found, this is not as easy as it may seem. I have run into a lot of government, cultural as well as individual barriers and bias that plays a role in how, who and what can be done concerning health. After reviewing my first proposal draft I have found it to not only be vague but near impossible. I have rethought what I can/will do in order to make a efficient and effective change for the people of India. Regarding this, I have learned that I am strong willed and I would like to make a difference, not only a small difference but a huge difference that will have an effect on numerous people. I have learned to also be patient. Patience is the key to peace and to the answers that always seem to end up unanswered. I am very respectful of the Indian culture and find the Indian lifestyle comfortable to myself after the week living it. I have not only created goals and objectives for my proposal but I have broadened the goals and objectives for my life in general.
The route to Kerala (in the Western Gods) was not only craterous but it was bumpy, windy and mostly terrifying. Climbing a mountain at 30 mph in a van full of students on a narrow windy road is not something I will be doing any time soon. Well until tomorrow when we head down the hill and out of Kerala. I was surprised at the honking that occurred facilitating the traffic up/down the hill as well as around the corners where vision was near impossible. To say the least we made is safely with multiple students ill and nauseated. The illness may have been from the food, water, the ride or a combination of all three. I have been blessed to not be one of the many sick as well as healthy through out this first week. (I have been watching what I eat due to the very limited food choices I already have back in the states) I am very impressed and mostly overwhelmed but the mountain ranges and the chilly evening breeze that ran across my neck while walking around the lake in Kerala. The lake was beautiful and reminded me of the summer nights along the river in Bellevue, sitting at a cottage and reflecting back on the beautiful landscape God has given us. I have multiple pictures of the lake and will be looking forward to those cool summer nights. After the lake we ate dinner at a wonderful restaurant accompied with a fireplace in the main entrance. Jackie and I sat in comfy chairs with our feet up and let the warm air fill our bodies. I was simply wonderful and made me think of home and the freezing temperatures and wood fires. I miss home dearly but am having a little more fun here, we are treated with kindness and respect on every level and I think that has made this trip an amazing experience so far.
Tomorrow we will be traveling down the mountain around 10 am and will stop along the way in numerous locations to view the scenery and the precious land. We will be discussing our proposals with Anne and Oma tomorrow and will begin working on the implementation/assessment on Monday considering we only have seven days to begin and complete a project. I am very excited and eager to tell of what we will be planning and implementing but will save that for tomorrow night considering I am exhausted.
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