We have the most natural gym here, but carrying water buckets and milk cans is so much nicer than sitting on a cross trainer

Living in a small village in the middle of nature has been a new experience for us. In our home towns, the milk as well as the vegetables comes from the supermarket, the water out of the tab and the energy out of the power points, 24 hours a day. In Shanti Ashram, most of the things we need are produced by ourselves. Vegetables grow in the garden and have to be cut in the morning. And we I have learned to open and to rasp coconuts which are needed for Chutney (a pungent relish made of coconut, fruits, spices and herbs).

Furthermore, it is one of our duties to bring the milk we take from our two cows to the dairy in the village every morning and afternoon. The children in the orphanage are able to make jasmine flower chains and even brooms to sweep the floor and to keep all the surroundings clean. As the dry season has started now, the wells here at Shanti Ashram are already empty which means that we have to carry water buckets every day in order to wash our clothes.

This much should be enough to give you a little learning about our daily duties in Shanti Ashram which are different from activities we do in Germany. We really enjoy all the work that we have to do by ourselves. “We have the most natural gym here, but carrying water buckets and milk cans is so much nicer than sitting on a cross trainer.”

Clara Susanne Popp and Cornalia Preuse

FSL India Volunteers at Shanti Ashram