We returned from India a good week ago and I have to say we had a wonderful experience.  I am copying my colleague Marion into this mail as she will be coordinating the IB CAS Programme next year. I do think our school will be looking to return to India with a similar group and I wondered if you would be able to advise Marion on the costs for a similar trip. This year we had 19 students and 3 teachers. We would appreciate working with Rajan again with Mohit as our coordinator if this is possible. 

Nalinka

I am leaving tomorrow for Delhi to stay with a friend and am leaving from Delhi to America on Monday. I just wanted to say Dr.'s family is amazing and you should definitely place as many volunteers with him as possible.

His wife and kids are angels and he does everything in his power to make you feel at home and have a grey volunteering & internship experience. Thank you so much for sending me to his family.

Nickey Jafari Phi Delta Epsilon, Vice President of Member Recruitment Drake University 2014 College of Arts and Sciences Biochemistry, International Relations, Philosophy (913)428.6018

My daughter went on your volunteer program this past summer and had a very rewarding experience in India.

I wanted to let you know how very pleased we were with the program and the leaders. Juliann said how well she was cared for and how loved she felt by the girls in the orphanage. It was an unforgettable experience for her that she will always cherish.

Thanks again,

Soapie teacher/Didi, Rajan, Jess Didi, Chelsea Didi, Ximena Didi, Suzie Didi, Sally Didi, Laura Didi, Jaimala, Hitesh, Megha, Karnika, Mr Dan & Frank, Raul...

I can't believe it is time for me to leave and say 'not goodbye, but see you later'...I have had the time of my life here and will of course miss my Indian family so very much. And i will look forward with great excitement and love to the time when I can return.

All of you have helped make my journey spectacular, special, hilarious and warm. Your friendships are very close to my heart and will travel with me in my life beyond Udayan.

I hope all of you will stay in touch and keep me updated with your lives. I miss you all and look forward to reunions in the future.

I will leave you with some of my warmest and proudest memories from Udayan.

My family and friends at home sponsored the children to participate in a 2 week dance program, organised by the wonderful Megha. They had 13 days of rehearsals, consisting of a hot and sweaty bus trip into Jaipur everyday at 3 o'clock followed by an energy packed dance session from 4.30- 5.30 with two awesome teachers, Raul and Aneesha, both of whom are trained by and represent 'Shaimak'- a hugely famous dancer and singer who has coreographed (spelling??) dances in movies like Dhoom 2! Yes, very big deal. So the dancing also gave them something to look forward to everyday and was always followed by some activity, either sports in the stadium in Jaipur (where I took Parveen and Nausheen for swimming lessons! Great!), or some down time in Central park. And we would return to Udayan by 8 pm for dinner.

So it was a brilliant outside adventure for them during their holidays.

After the 2 weeks of classes, the children performed a dress rehearsal followed by 2 shows at 'Bilar Auditorium' (spelling??). The magnificent concert hall in Jaipur. It was an absolute thrill for them and i was blessed to share in their joy and excitement. I was so proud of them I couldn't stop the tears from rolling down my face as i watched them up on stage shining like stars and radiating with confidence, joy and self-respect.

They are truly amazing children and i will miss them so very much.

Enjoy the photos!