To Teach and be Taught, My Adventures in the Chander Abha Memorial School for the Blind Children, Kullu. Episode 5

I am coming to the end of my stay in Kullu, for this year at least. I finished teaching last Saturday but will continue to work at the school, in a slightly different capacity, until the beginning of November. And there is no shortage of work! I will continue to do the Saturday art activities, as painting and the new scented colouring pens are going down a treat with the kids.
I plan to introduce Halloween to Kullu next week and am working on making a Twister which will be texture based rather than colour orientated so that all the students can enjoy.

Myself, a friend Kris working with the Kullu Project as a volunteer, and a nurse Judith, from Switzerland but living locally are developing a hygiene workshop to do here and also to implement at two orphanages in the area. Unfortunately there have been a lot of skin problems recently with a few students, for various reasons. But we all (staff at the school) feel that a few basic lessons in self hygiene would serve as a reminder to the kids and renewed encouragement. We will give each child a pack including new toothbrush, paste, soap and a comb to try to encourage continued practice.

I have few friends coming out to visit from home so I’m going to rope them into helping me give the bathrooms a new coat of paint with some of the money raised from home. Hopefully, as an incentive to keep them nice and clean. Apart from toiletries and paint the money will go really far. I will be able to buy new floor mats for meal times, thermal undergarments for the cold winter that is around the corner, socks, uniforms, a heater for the boys’ bedroom and one for the classroom and some new computer equipment. But most enjoyably we were able to take the children out on a long deserved picnic.


'Are we there yet?' Drive to Prashar Lake.

Last week, the day before Gandhi’s birthday, we rented a minibus and a jeep and in true local style we all crammed in, thirty five students and fifteen staff members. We drove to Parashar Lake. I never thought so much singing and dancing and drumming could be done on a mini bus driving around hairpin bends! But this is Incredible India.


'One more chapati for anyone?' Picnic at the lake.

The children had not had an outing since I have been here and it was definitely deserved especially after such fantastic end of year results at the boy’s school. All teachers contributed to the food preparations and we doled out big pots of vegetables and stacks of chapattis, I also introduced Potato Cakes to the staff. It was spectacular to see the kids running freely in grass and just being in a wide open space. So a huge Thank you from all staff and students.

At school the children are busy preparing for a Sports Day for the Differently abled. It will be held in Shimla, the state capitol, on the25 th of October. Students of all ages will participate in games like skipping and running races and the Opening Procession. Infact they have spent most of their time learning to march, which has been very entertaining to watch.



Practice for sports day at Prashar Lake.

Some of the music students have also performed on stage at the opening ceremony of the huge Dushera festival. Each village in the Kullu valley has its own Deptha ( god ) made from brightly coloured fabrics and usually with a head of six silver faces.( please look at the photos, difficult to explain) For Dushera, all 365 local gods are carried on the shoulders of men, to Kullu town ( though the gods themselves do lead the direction ) where they stay for a week. Men, Women and children flock from every direction to witness this spectacle. Each night of the festival there is a big culture programme in which the children took part.


Local Gods, Opening Procession of 'Dushera' Festival.

Before I leave I will also be working on a website for the school. Currently they don’t have one. I think it’s essential for the school for public awareness and to raise national and international funds. But there is no one here with the time to set one up so a new venture for me. And when it’s finally done I will email you all the link and you can keep track of progress at the school after my departure. So Ill certainly be kept busy here in my last weeks.

So until I see those of you who I will see, and to those of you who I won’t, many and the most Sincere thanks for the monetary and moral support over the last eight months.

If anyone even has the smallest temptation to travel to India, Do It.


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To Teach and be Taught, My Adventures in the Chander Abha Memorial School for Blind Children,Kullu. Episode 4

We finally have a full house again at the school and hostel. Unfortunately some of the students who live in quite remote places were delayed by up to three weeks due to bad road conditions and landslides caused by severe rain. The heavy monsoons have eased now though and all are back safe.


Chess Demonstration at the Red Cross Event

The great news here at school is that the school has employed a new computer teacher. Also some of the teachers working hours have been adjusted so that some start later in the day. This means that the senior section students now have three teachers as opposed to one. It takes a huge amount of pressure off the one teacher and is obviously a huge benefit to the students.


Hand Painting

We have also initiated a new programme for two of the Prep class students. There are two girls aged seventeen and eighteen who sit in Prep class with the other children of six, seven and eight years. They have severe learning disabilities and have been brought up with no education so the teachers have no option but to put them into the Prep class. But it is a difficult position for the girls as they are aware of the huge age gap and are sometimes very uncooperative. So now we have them upstairs in the kitchen before and after lunch. They will learn how to prepare food and maintain a kitchen and basic household chores. So far it seems to be a success and it is incredible the difference in their behaviour when working upstairs. It is not expected that they will complete


Cultural Exchange- learning a new African song

We have three volunteers organizing activities on Sundays for the children. They have come from Germany and Kenya and are associated with the Kullu Project, an NGO set up a few years ago by a man from Wales and a man from Kullu. It is fantastic for the children to have a few hours of fun activities on Sundays. They have nothing but themselves after school hours to amuse each other which, inevitably leads to a bit of mischief sometimes. And the kids are always enthusiastic to learn new songs in any language.


Home Science Class - making Pakoda, a tasty local dish

The school recently attended a huge Red Cross fundraising event in a local park. It was held over three days and all schools in the area participated by setting up stalls and selling various local foods and other bits and pieces. Our school set up a stall for one day to demonstrate the teaching techniques used at the Blind School. And again it was obvious to me how important these events are to raise public awareness and hopefully encourage other blind students to attend. Unfortunately the Chief Guest of the function was due to visit the stall but cancelled at the last minute however the students had a visit from a local film star so of course they were delighted and it really made the day for them.


Lunch Time

On Friday I experienced yet another treat that I could not have imagined. It was Teachers Day. A national day of celebrating teachers. The children themselves organized a programme of songs, poems and dancing with tea, samosas and decorations for all to feast on. All teachers were encouraged to play musical chairs which ended in a battle between the two computer teachers. It all ended with all students and teachers dancing around the tiny classroom with three students singing and a few drummers. I might take this idea back to Ireland!


Teacher's Day- Full Enjoyment

I have had great support since the last blog so sincere thanks to all and Ill let you know where everything goes.

And I’m sure you will be glad to know that all the hundreds and thousands of goats and sheep who migrated to the mountains for the summer( via my village ) are still alive and well and making their way back to the valley for winter, so here come the noisy evenings!

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To Teach and be Taught, My Adventures in the Chander Abha Memorial School for Blind Children,Kullu. Episode 3

Back to school............

The primary section children have just returned from a two week holiday with their families. The senior students are on holidays for a further two weeks.

The primary students

Unfortunately though, the classroom has become somewhat of a swimming pool. There has been an on going problem with the motor and the pipes to the water tank. I don’t know exactly what the problem is but a lot of water leaks as soon as the motor is switched on. So it can only be left on for five minutes at a time or there is a flood on the stairway. Now however the water has made its way through two floors of concrete and is taking the plaster with it. The heavy monsoon rains have obviously accelerated this. It is an absolute hazard in so many ways so let’s hope it can be fixed soon.

However it is great to see the kids again and of course they enjoy splashing around in the puddle, much to the teacher’s dismay!

The classroom did get a paint job during the holidays, donated by a local family. It’s amazing how bright clean walls can lift the spirits. Now all we have to do is fill them with new posters and charts.

Home from Home

There is nothing available locally, suitable for blind learners and even if there was the school could not afford to buy them. So we will be busy hand making posters over the next few Saturdays. The children love getting involved and know where each and every poster is on the walls. Every outline and detail needs to have a raised or a textured surface. We use real objects like flowers and leaves and lots of glitter pens and cotton wool. We use beads as Braille dots so that the children can read any text. We have so far made posters of basic shapes, simple objects as a trees and more complicated charts of amoebas for the science class.

It’s so important for the children to develop their sense of touch as early as possible because they will be using their hands to identify everything for the rest of their lives and they also need to develop quite a sensitive touch for reading Braille.

Two of my students has now moved on to first class and are flying through with the Braille writing. And another student of the prep class has just started to learn Braille this week. I have learnt to read and write Braille since I came here now, I have to learn how to teach it!

I have one new student who is proving quite challenging. When students arrive they are in totally new surroundings without their families for the first time, it is a difficult time for them. And for most it is the first time in a school environment. His behavior is very erratic but hopefully as he settles it will calm down.

Unfortunately we had more bad news today. The school has been pursuing the government for a plot of land to build a new school, for the last 6years.The government had agreed, in March, to give the land to the school but now they are asking for rent. The government will only lease this land to the school. There is no point in the school accepting these conditions, even if they could afford the rent. They need to own the land that they build on, it makes sense of course. And with the school building in such a need of repair at the moment it makes so much more sense to invest money into a new building.

Apart from that most of the children are in real need of new shoes and uniforms. Local families are extremely generous at donating meals and fruit to the children but if anyone had childrens shoes that could be sent over it would be hugely appreciated. I have witnessed the gratitude for something so small as a banana, imagine how happy a child would be with a new pair of shoes!

Nature Vocabulary Class with a difference

There is also a life membership to the school with a yearly subscription so if anyone would like more information regarding that please post a comment on the website.

And to those of you who gave me money before I came out, what I didn’t spend on headlice treatment, toothpaste and brushes I bought some materials to get the kids creative skills going. You can see some of them at work in the photos.

So really, Thanks a lot.

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To Teach and be Taught, My Adventures in the Chander Abha Memorial School for Blind Children,Kullu. Episode 2.

We appear to have entered into the goat herding season here in Himachal. Every night this week , from 10pm onwards for 3hours or more I have heard the jingle of donkey bells coming up the hill. This ,I have come to learn will be followed by the cackle of two hundred goats and sheep, making their way from the lower valleys to the cooler pastures of Rhotang and beyond. This is all very well to listen to from the safety from my bed but to try to navigate through the masses is another story. And needless to say that is where I found myself at 11.30 last night, with only a meagre mobile phone to light the way. But thanks to the two tough local women I was walking with we made it through without a scratch.


Dance rehersal

What led to the late walk was yet another enthralling cultural programme. One of many I have been invited to.A couple of weeks ago six of the girls performed at such a function. They received a very warm reception and much praise. It is an honour for the school to be invited to perform and with such strong musical talent present here it is easy to see why it occurs so frequently.What these guest appearances also achieve is publicity for the school an awareness of the fact that visually impaired children can learn to sing and dance and be educated like all others. A lot of people here are not aware of Braille or that the same educational achievements are a possibility for the visually impaired.


Top Priority- Cricket on Sundays.

I have to admit it was quite a surprise to me to hear that the boys play cricket but why not! And what an enjoyable afternoon that turned out to be, watching the boys play their passion. They have had much reason to be happy of late because the boys in the government school got the results of their board exams. Two of them, in different classes, had the top results of all students and three others in very high positions. This is a huge achievement for both teachers and students and a really deserved result from what I have seen of the work input here.

Saturdays, activity day always ends in song.

I have been busy introducing craft activities here, which has proved a great success. The children had previously learned to make candles and paper envelopes and of course some of them have a great affinity to this creative process. The process itself is great in many ways but also the result, one of which was a papier mache bird has led to lots of other activities, games and stories in hindi and english, and the imagination of free and innocent children is always worth listening to.

Apart from school I have been out rafting with staff. A surprise trip with some of the women , whos enthusiasm for fun never ceases to amaze me.I am also busy doing hindi classical dancing classes, Kathak, which sometimes involves me reluctantly singing! So never a dull moment.

What am I expecting of the forthcoming month? Well hopefully no more noisy goats but a bountiful supply of ripe and juicey lychees, plums, walnuts and pears, to name a few.

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Trekking in Ladakh

Tso Moriri Lake on the Parang la Pass trek.

Trekking in India can be done all year round. In the summer months, June, July and August, Ladakh is the best location for trekking in India. Because of its higher elevation it does not become as hot as areas further south. Ladakh is the region sandwiched between Pakistan and Tibet, incorperating the Karakoram and Himalayan mountain ranges as well as the upper Indus valley.


Wild Horses on the Rangdum Plains.

This August IntoIndia are offer 3 fantastic trekking Holidays in the Region. A 9 day moderate trek in the beautiful Ripchar Valley, incorporating visits to villages, monastires, palaces, markets and much more. A 16 day demanding trek over the Parang La Pass (5600m). This trek along an old trade route is one of the best in the Himalaya when considering, epic scenery, diversity of landscape and people, wildlife and sense of adventure. Finally they are offering a 10 day demanding peak ascent to Stok Kangri (6153m). Although at a huge height it is a non-technical route to the summit and the views of the Himalaya and Karakoram including K2 are breathtaking.


Two young Ladakhi Boys.

With any trek in Ladakh the lasting memory is always the culture and way of life of the local mountain people. The people of the region are of Tibetan and Indo-European origin. The majority of the population about 95%, practice Tibetan Buddhism earning Ladakh the name 'Little Tibet'. The region is characterised by high mountains, glaciers and a typically barren landscape which is very inhospitable and inaccessible. The region has one of the lowest population densities in India it is a trekkers paradise. Apart from the lager towns such as Leh and Kargil there are just scattered villages and an occasional Buddhist Monastery (Gompa).


The view from atop Stok Kangri.

Trekking Dates:

Parang La Trek - August 8th to 23rd
Stok Kangri Ascent- August 11th to 20th
Ripchar Valley Trek - August 24th to September 1st


Prayer flags at Bokar Gompa

For more information contact us at IntoIndia.

High Altitude Trekking

Trekking at high altitude is not something you should worry about, the key is being well informed.

The human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of barometric pressures. However, this process of adaptation or acclimatisation does take time and the most important rule is to gain elevation slowly. Most people encounter ill effects due to altitude purely because they gain altitude too quickly. The best practice is move slowly and avoid large altitude gains in a single day. This is not always possible as every route or trail is different and on some days one has but no option than to gain an above average amount of elevation. These days are best followed by a rest day. Hydration is also a significant factor, you should increase your water consumption by as much as possible while at high altitude.

Climbers on the Summit of Shitidhar (5394m / 17368ft), Himachal.

Good physical preparation is also key. Spend the 2 to 3 months before your trek improving your fitness. The fitter you are the more you will enjoy your trek. Also if you do feel the effects of altitude that extra bit of fitness training can be the deciding factor in you achieving your goals.

Trekker on Stok Kangri (6153m / 20187ft), Ladakh.

Taking Diamox is also popular among some trekkers. Please read the following piece from the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA).

Diamox (acetazolamide) is of some value in the prevention of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).

Diamox, a drug often used in the treatment of the eye condition glaucoma, is also useful in the prevention of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). AMS occurs commonly during visits to 3000-4500m and may cause a severe headache, exhaustion and general feelings of illness.

Diamox reduces the headache of AMS and helps the body acclimatise to the lack of oxygen - it also probably reduces the incidence of the complications of AMS. Whether or not one takes Diamox is obviously a matter of personal choice - travel to high altitudes is quite possible without it. Though the drug is not recommended as a routine treatment, though there is variation of opinion about this many people choose to use it if travelling quickly to altitude (eg. if flying into Lhasa, Leh or any airport at altitude).

How to take Diamox

If you decide to use the drug, suggested dose is Diamox 125mg (half of one tablet) to be taken twice daily - take the drug for three days before staying at altitude and thereafter for two or three days until you feel acclimatised, for about five days in all. NOT FOR THOSE ALLERGIC TO SULPHA DRUGS

Side Effects

Like all drugs, Diamox may have unwanted side effects. Tingling of the fingers, face and feet is the commonest, but this is not a reason for stopping the drug unless the symptoms are intolerable. Dizziness, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, rashes and more serious allergic reactions have all been reported but are unusual. In exceptional cases, the drug has caused more serious problems with blood formation and/or the kidneys. Those who are allergic to the sulphonamide antibiotics may also be allergic to Diamox. More commonly, the drug makes many people feel a little "off colour"; carbonated drinks and beer also taste strange when you are taking Diamox.

*COPYRIGHT UIAA MOUNTAIN MEDICINE CENTRE*

To Teach and be Taught, My Adventures in the Chander Abha Memorial School for Blind Children,Kullu. Episode 1.

The Kullu Valley.

It is now two months since I arrived in the town of Kullu, ready to start on a new adventure. Kullu, renound for its intricately hand woven shawls and of course its delicious apples, is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, in the deep glaciated valley of the river Beas. The spectacular views of the dramatic snow capped mountains of Manali and the luscious green apple orchards all around, will provide some calm in he evenings after my challenging days in school.


'Shivrathri' celebrating one of Indias many great festivals.

I came here with time to offer. Open to any work needing done I have been given the responsibility of he Prep class. This class consists of seven students with varying degrees of visual impairments and learning disabilities. There are 35 students in total attending The Chander Abha Memorial School for The Blind. The senior students are now, thanks to the perseverance and dedication of teachers and staff, integrated into the local government school. This of course is essential to the social development of the children and a huge benefit to their confidence and sense of independence.


'Chimta' one of the instruments the children love to play, music is an essential part of life here.

On another positive note the school has recently acquired a plot of land to build a new school, from the government 6km outside of Kullu. Though this was no easy task, the Principle has been working and petitioning hard for 10 years now for this. And it will take a lot more time energy and money before this project is up and running. But this will be an ideal setting for the children’s education and welfare and they will have the huge benefit of outdoor space. In the mean time, the children, for the best part of 11months of the year, eat, sleep, play and are educated in the 3 small rooms here at the Mahila Kalyan Bhawan, (Womens Social Welfare Building, another N.G.O. ) But these lively and ambitious kids make the absolute most of everything and take nothing for granted and are driven by the encouragement of their four fantastic teachers.


'Utsav Janem Din', birthday celebrations.

Each day here is a challenge for me but I have been welcomed into this warm and open family and so far am thoroughly enjoying every new experience each day. I am quickly learning the ways of the culture here and the children seem to enjoy helping me through with hindi, especially what seems to be my hilarious pronunciations




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By Meadhbh O'Donovan