Page 99 - Bellfort Magazine 2019

Our journey began many light was in stark contrast But as our trip
months in advance of our trip as drew to an
to the luxuries we have at home.
we began to learn about Asha end we were

and the work of the charity in We had the pleasure of working reminded at
India and to begin our fundrais- to decorate the Asha Centre in our farewell
ing. With a strong focus on ed- Kusumpur, to create a bright and of the Hope
ucation and empowerment, welcoming environment for the which Asha
Asha aims to transform the lives children. We took time to deliver brings, and as
of those living in the slums to English lessons to the students Mrs Alexan-

secure for them a brighter fu- and to teach English and craft to der and Mr
ture. As we were joined by Mr the younger children. The excite- Burnett cut
John Healy and Mrs Pearl Don- ment in the centre was conta- the farewell
nelly in advance of our trip, we gious and with each day ending cake (like a
began to learn of the customs in with some song and dance, some- newly married couple!) there was

India, the importance of hygiene times English and often Indian, no joy in our hearts and Hope for a
while in the slums, and of the -one wanted to leave at the end better future for the people of
warm welcome we would re- of each session. Kusumpur.
ceive on arrival. We took time at the weekend to

The photographs show our in- visit some of the sights in India—
duction with Asha and the wel-
come we received on our first

visit to the slum colony.
This welcome put smiles on our

faces and these smiles stayed It was with great pleasure that we
for the duration of our trip. were able to present Asha with a
cheque for £10,000.
The most challenging element
was the lane visits when we had in particular the Taj Mahal and the
the privilege of being welcomed
Red Fort at Agra.
into the homes of those living in
We were welcomed as celebrities
the slums. Most families lived in
as many locals requested photo-
one room houses, with no run-
graphs with our pale faced stu-
ning water and no toilet facili-
dents (not forgetting Mr Burnett) We hope that this is the beginning
ties, yet the students and chil-
of our support for Asha and plan-
dren exuded such happiness—we
ning for our next trip has already
were al challenged to consider
our own values and approach to begun. Mrs Alexander will return
to Delhi in October 2019 to
life. Students and parents shared
their stories and the challenges of continue to offer
living and in particular studying, As we drove through the streets support and build
in the slums.
of Delhi we saw constant remind- relationships with
The reality of living in a colony of ers of the poverty there, as chil- our friends in
40 000 people, with only a cur- dren knocked on the window of Kusumpur.

tain for a door and no natural
our taxi, asking for food, 99