back to good old Oz

Last visit to IndiaI was lucky enough to visit a friend of Prveen’s in Pushka.
His name is Ramsingh and he works for a volunteer organization ‘The Shakti Project’ helping street kids get a meal in their tummy, get an education and to develop a work ethic rather than a beggar mentality.
Prveen and I have made small donations to the project when we are in Pushkar and that is always appreciated, talking with Ramsingh and wanting to let more people know about what they are doing his response was very interesting.
The project depends upon donations as it has no government funding, I then suggested perhaps some of our tour visitors might like to bring some second hand clothes for the kids [ they we probably be coming with fairly empty bags anyway….] and he agreed that would be very useful and thoughtful of them, pencils, games and books are also very much appreciated But he said what would be the best thing to bring for the kids was a little time.
If any of our tour participants would like to donate an hour or two of the time we have in Pushkar, that would be so good for the kids.
Time to play games, time to practice English, time to build self-esteem through others showing an interest in them, just time nothing more was the best gift in his opinion…
They are lovely kids and it will also be time well spent for visitors having a laugh and a game with some nice kids.
If you know of anyone else visiting India that might be interested to contact them please pass along Ramsingh’s email address to them [ ram_singh101@rediffmail.com ] – he is only to happy for any assistance- time or otherwise. Their address is
The Shakti Project,
Behind Sand Baba Temple,
Purani Sabji Mandi Rd,
Marwar Chowngi , Pushkar,
Ajmer [Raj.]

The lovely view of mountains is the sunset view from the monsoon Palace above Udaipur - couldn't help myself adding it in to show you what another hard day at the office entails.

After all the fun and excitement of India - I love my jobs of teaching and tour leading and producing art for exhibition but they are work and very demanding work at that [...and fun, and stimulating and, and , and- don't get me wrong...but i do get tired sometimes.]

Prveen and I were lucky enough to be tourists ourselves for 4 days in Bangkok.
It was great to go somewhere new, explore and laze around. we took a day tour to the old capital of thailand and a river criuse back to the city and let some else look after us- heaven and so refreshing! thwe above temple picture is part of the Grand palace complex in Bangkok- how magnificent!
and boy can they do gold and mirror inlay, with lovely bowls of lotus flowers growing everywhere...wonderful to wander and soak up the temple atmosphere.
and yummy tucker each night for dinner,sitting in a street side cafe watching all the people go by.
I like holidays where you just relax- i have discovered. usually I am on my own and so set a cracking pace to see a whole list of things, this time we just let it unfold....

the last picture is out of my kitchen window back home. Spring has really sprung whilst I was away and all the roses are blooming, soon the waterlilies will blossom, nothing like a good garden.

nice to be home but so much to get done for my next exhibition and, and, and... i need another holiday!

back again in Delhi

It seems a long time ago I arrived in Delhi and was writing a note and yet all too soon I am lining up for another flight.

My tour around Rajasthan has been very successful and i have had a lot of fun.
I visited a friend of Prveen's in Pushkar. His name is Ramsingh and he works at the Shakti Project which was set up to help street kids.

They are a small non- government organization[ NGO- in India that suggest that money coming to the project will be spent on the project. I can see that is happening here]

These kids come from families who have nothing- in India that means absolutley nothing!
they live on the street perhaps under a sheet of taupaulin, food comes from what they can beg.

The idea of the Shakti Project is empowerment.
All kids in India can have a free education if they have a school uniform- obviously that is out of the range of the parents of these kids.
Ramsingh provides a place for the kids to come and get washed and chang into a uniform in the morning and then they are taken to school.

By going to school the kids are getting and education and also creating regular habits in their life, the discipline of working at something, being motivated, being punctual, learning to structure their thinking and hence their life.

school finishes in time for lunch when they can return to the Sahkti Project for friut and a nutritious meal [ their only one of the day] .
at the house there are games to play and further education, and lessons for kids so far behind in their learning they won't benifitt from school yet.
The idea that it is better to work rather than beg is constantly re-inforced and children are taught crafts and small business ideas. [Many of their parents came from the itinerant and illiterate caste of entertainers but with changing times, TV, less nomadic lifestyles etc they are falling out of a place in society]

Shakti Project is always happy to accept donations- cash, toys, games, pencils, clothes [smaller sizes- the kids are very small for their age]but most especially time. If you are in Pushka- an hour or more spent playing games with the kids, talking , showing an interest has such a great boost to their connfidence and development, and is a great deal of fun!

I am happy to take things along on my visits to India email me at fionaw@netcentral.com.au or you might like to contact Ramsingh on ram.singh101@radife.com
I will put up some photoes when i get back to Australia next week

India is such a land of contrasts- I know i have mentioned it before but it always hits me afresh, I can see such material progress in the last 6 months and it contrasts so vastly to the lives of so many and then I come across another example of such great goodness of heart and am humbled.
It is an amazing country moving forward at a vast pace and working very hard at bringing ALL its citizens along with it.

dusty Delhi

I am in Parhaganj at the moment- it is the Backpacker hide away of Delhi.
Delhi at tis busiest and dustiest and most packed [ not where i take my tour groups...] but quite fascinating.
going to sleep last night I can undertand descriptions of a city seething and humming with life.
the area is dense with humanity , everyone getting on with their day to day lives. When so many do it so closly together it really creates a vibe, add the India enjoyment of communication and event and you really have a lot happening.

there has been quite a number of brass bands rattling up the street a full volume- I have looked around wondering where the bride groom is and not seen one. A friend explained yesterday that these were the funnerals of very old people.
Some old people set aside money for a brass band at theuir funeral to cheer everyone up so they won't feel sad. I don't want to be disresptful of the convention and it is a thoughtful idea but hearing the volume from up the street I can onlt think it rattles all sad thoughts [and possily one's teeth] right out of one!

The little hotel I am in is a bit run down but scrupulously clen and I think the little pot plant filled roof top restaurant could possible baost one of the best cooks in India! He is certainly producing the best meals I have had! yum! [ drop me an email if you are coming this way and i will pass on th details]

Out to explore contemporary art galleries today and probably have to try lunch in a nice cafe all in the name of resaerch.... oh the hard work involved in preparing for my tours!

Oh India

I have arrived in Delhi- it is like coming home to a disreputable Aunt, I bit rough around the edges but you can't help loving her.

The smell and the noise asre immediately apparent whenh the open the doors.
I have had a great trip so far, met many lovely people and i think started on some friendships i will be able to reconnect with in the future.
It is great having of common interest of things textile and how it brings people together. Many of the people i have met has been via teaching =, the great thing about week end residential workshops is that you hacve time around the edges to chat about everything else as well.

Anyone coming to the Uk with a bit of spare time on their hands I would highly recommend something like a live- in residentail course. most are in old Manor type houses[ huge, charming, amazing] and you get looked after so well, as well as the enjoyment of a course as well.
Very hard on the waist line as they feed you so well with great home cooked English fare[ a million times better than anything you will find in cafe' in the Uk]

A few days to chill [ seems like a funny expression with the warmth here]and catch up with friends in Delhi before I am off on tour. [ I am really looking forward to visiting the same forts and palaces again= everytime i get to see something new and different]

will post heaps of phots when I get home and can hook up my lap top

bye, nameste
Fiona