Among other things during my time here, I've had the opportunity to go on one of the 'Fundays' that the team runs most weekends. A funday involves a trip out with a group of kids from a centre that DAD are about to start working with.
DAD use these fundays as a way of getting a feel for what the kids are like and to help build trust between them in a very relaxed environment; on this occasion we arranged to take them to the HAL air museum.
The bus trip was long but entertaining (starting at the DAD office to pick up staff and volunteers, then going in the diametrically opposite direction to pick up the kids from their centre on Mysore Road, before heading across town to Airport Road, all the time trying to plough our way through traffic jams that make quick drying cement look free-flowing).
Being from England, I'm used to signing such classics as 'The wheels on the bus go round and round...' on coach trips. However, the kids were in full voice signing verse upon verse of catchy tunes that I had never heard, but I'm guessing some of them were from Bollywood films or similar. Unfortunately nobody was able to fully translate the words for me, maybe because a number of the songs were in Kanada.
We had great fun going around the museum. There were lots of questions about what they were seeing (thankfully not too many to me because a) my Hindi/Kanada isn't especially strong and b) my knowledge of planes is about as good as my Hindi/Kanada), and marvelling at stuff that they had only ever seen high in the sky or on a television.
The museum is also right next door to the airport and provides a pretty good view of the planes taking off and landing, giving rise to lots of 'oohhs' and 'aahhs'.
Feedback from the kids was that it had been an excellent day out, but next time could they go in a real plane? Tricky one to do given a budget of Rs. 7,000 per funday (which for 40 kids/volunteers is Rs. 175 a head), but apparently DAD have some contacts at Kingfisher and there may be a chance to get them on a real plane while its on the ground.
I was inspired by the experience (and many others while I've been here!), seeing eyes light up in amazement and wonder, seeing the dream develop for these kids about what it would be like to fly in a plane and when can they do it. I strongly encourage anyone reading this to come and help inspire similar dreams!
You can see some more pictures by going here and here.
Hugh Jackson (hugh@hughjackson.net)
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