Volunteer: Milena Xochil Dehn                                          Country: Germany

Organization: Experiment Germany                                  Duration: September 2014 to May  2015

Project: Chethana Special School,  Karkala,  Udupi  Dist.

I was born on 30/08/2014 in India. Well, actually I came to India by plane that day – but as there are many differences between the German and the Indian culture the first weeks felt indeed like growing up again. To give you a little insight, I will share one day of my Indian life – of course experienced through my “German classes”.  

 

It is dark outside. Its pretty early. And I wake up because of the Muezzin of the nearby Mosque. No problem, otherwise I would have been woken up by the temple-music loudly praising Ganesha only little later. And it is still dark when the TV in our house is switched on and this time Christian music is ringing out. Why do I mention that? Of course it nicely illustrates that you have to get used to sleeping under all kind of circumstances in India. But I also love this way of waking up because it pictures the mixture of so many different religions and influences and the spirit of living-together that make up the daily life as I got to know it here.

My day begins by washing my clothes – of course by hand and of course interrupted by my hostfamily’s cow trying to eat both, the soap and all kind of dresses. When I have successfully fought this fight, it is already time to put on my Saree. In the meantime I manage to do that within 20 minutes! Of course it should not be forgotten that afterwards the same amount of time is necessary to put earrings, necklace, bangles, Bindi and flowers into the hair. Leaving the house without that would only lead to all the people asking me if I am ill…

After having an Indian breakfast – which I really really learned to love! – I get on the bus to go to work. In the morning my bus is always very crowded and to get onto the bus and later to fight your way down is not as easy as it sounds….especially if you wear Saree.

Reaching the school is a little bit like coming home. In the morning there is always some time to have a chat with the other teachers – Did you have breakfast? What did you eat? – and to play some games with the kids. And the kids could not welcome you more warmly than shouting “Namaste, akka!” (= Good morning, sister!) as soon as you enter the school. Also I consider some of the teachers as real good friends. Even though there are sometimes language difficulties we nearly always manage to communicate about all kind of news, Bollywood movies or how to apply Kajal the German and the Indian way. And of course they do not only teach me Kannada, but also some  words in Tulu, their mother-tongue. On Fridays I also join the teachers on their way to the nearby temple.

At 10 we start the day by prayer and afterwards all children do Yoga. Even though I did not speak any Kannada in the beginning I could join supporting the teachers in Yoga session and afterwards in feeding the kids from beginning on.

After the kids have had breakfast it is time for the teachers to have tea and I really love this time to exchange news. Afterwards we all go to class. So far I have spent most of the time in Preprimary. Here front teaching is not possible. Instead the teacher focuses on one kid at a time – and I do the same. For example I train beading and scribbling with the kids. And in the afternoon we sometimes play games, dance or sing.

At 4 o’ clock it is time to say “Ramram” (=Bye). For me the day is not over that time. Instead now I do Yoga myself. The Yoga class is a great opportunity for me to get into contact with Indian tradition and to make friends at a time. But not enough that I have to understand all the commands in Kannada – at Yoga class itself most people speak Konkani!

After finishing it is time to go home. The evening is spent at home, by preparing food, watching TV and having prayer together with my host-family. And remember – going to bed early is recommendable as you wont be able to sleep long….