I was in the city ("the city" always means New York City, at least to NewYorkers.) today and ran into Lisa and Richard who had been to India with us. Lisa talked about how they keep thinking and talking and dreaming about the many great experiences they have had. It puzzled her, though, that they had not shared the experience they thought of as the greatest highlight of the whole trip with anyone so far. Let me not be guilty of the same thing.
We went to Chennai to visit Anne and Daya Dyanandun and learn about their work as Christian missionaries. They have a long history together of mission outreach and are well known and respected within the Christian community and beyond. Anne has been working with the young women at Ewart Women's Christian College for some years now. She provides the girls with a loving presence who supports their efforts through discussion of the challenges they face. Anne helps them to relate to their own dilemmas by introducing them to the world beyond their villages and beyond Chennai and India through literature and movies. Issues in Chinua Achebe's African stories resonate with the girls, as do the triumphs and tragedies in "The Sound of Music" and "Fiddler on the Roof".
The girls are 11th and 12th graders. Most come to school from home which can be two hours away, while others live at the college. These girls, about 400 strong, are first time learners. That means they are the first person in their family to get an education and often the first person in their village to go through this level of schooling. Imagine the pressure they are under to succeed and to be a role model for younger students. This is why Anne's work is so vital to their overall development and success.
When we first got to Ewart Women's Christian College the girls and staff were lined up to greet us with garlands of marigolds. Usually this is done with the honored guests processing through the line of students. This time we were asked to stay at the entryway while the girls performed a dance for us. It was very well done and set the tone of joyousness that prevailed throughout our visit. After meeting with the Principal we joined the girls in planting mast trees. These trees will grow very tall and will provide some fencing and privacy for the section in which they are planted. Instead of a long program, we were treated to a demonstration of a tag kind of game which is popular in that area. It was high spirited and good fun. Then it was time for tea and informally socializing with girls and staff. Throughout our visit they were friendly and eager to speak to us in the English they have worked so hard to learn.
There was much more to absorb during our three days in Chennai; to be saved for another post.
We went to Chennai to visit Anne and Daya Dyanandun and learn about their work as Christian missionaries. They have a long history together of mission outreach and are well known and respected within the Christian community and beyond. Anne has been working with the young women at Ewart Women's Christian College for some years now. She provides the girls with a loving presence who supports their efforts through discussion of the challenges they face. Anne helps them to relate to their own dilemmas by introducing them to the world beyond their villages and beyond Chennai and India through literature and movies. Issues in Chinua Achebe's African stories resonate with the girls, as do the triumphs and tragedies in "The Sound of Music" and "Fiddler on the Roof".
The girls are 11th and 12th graders. Most come to school from home which can be two hours away, while others live at the college. These girls, about 400 strong, are first time learners. That means they are the first person in their family to get an education and often the first person in their village to go through this level of schooling. Imagine the pressure they are under to succeed and to be a role model for younger students. This is why Anne's work is so vital to their overall development and success.
When we first got to Ewart Women's Christian College the girls and staff were lined up to greet us with garlands of marigolds. Usually this is done with the honored guests processing through the line of students. This time we were asked to stay at the entryway while the girls performed a dance for us. It was very well done and set the tone of joyousness that prevailed throughout our visit. After meeting with the Principal we joined the girls in planting mast trees. These trees will grow very tall and will provide some fencing and privacy for the section in which they are planted. Instead of a long program, we were treated to a demonstration of a tag kind of game which is popular in that area. It was high spirited and good fun. Then it was time for tea and informally socializing with girls and staff. Throughout our visit they were friendly and eager to speak to us in the English they have worked so hard to learn.
There was much more to absorb during our three days in Chennai; to be saved for another post.
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