Our day begins with the relentless squeaking of the water pump as the girls begin their day at 5.00am. We have been in Madiripuram for two weeks now; it is called a village but consists of a High School, two hostels; boys and girls, and simple houses for the staff. The children are from the tribal villages and many of their parents are illiterate, but the standard of education here is high and the school is top of the government exam table. There are 450 children here the youngest being 5 years old, the oldest 16. English is taught from the 6th class when the children are 10 years old. All are friendly, all want to communicate, which is a little intimidating when there are crowds of them. We have had many rewarding conversations; they are great fun, very caring and delight in feeding us snacks.
Separate prayers take place at 7.00am, three very lively songs, a Bible reading and short message, which I deliver, followed by prayer. They then learn the scripture verse for the day, class by class. A monthly competition with a prize is held to encourage them!
Breakfast is at 8.00am and is much anticipated, always different, always spicy. This week the electricity is off between 10.00am and 6.00pm, the temperature is now 32 degrees C in the middle of the day and we miss the cooling fans. As our room has no windows we must read and work outside.
School begins at 10.00am, as they have their own spoken English teacher we have not been asked to teach. We always find someone to talk to or to visit and have been allowed to take the bus into the next village (3kms, 3 rupees = 4p) where there are lots of small shops and workshops to marvel at. Yesterday we walked to a small lake, which the locals call a tank, cool and scenic. We have spent time with the hostel cooks, who prepare and cook the food outside on an open fire, always rice, always lots of whole chillies and handfuls of salt, we are given a little to taste. I have been allowed to pump water for them but failed to get the large, round metal pot near to my shoulder.
After lunch, cooked here at the Pastor's home, comes rest for those over 16. A tiny cup of tea for us at 4.00pm and a snack for the children. Then a time for sports; the children are keen for us to participate, age being no barrier! A whole article needs to be devoted to their sports which, except for cricket & basketball are very different to ours. Those working for the 10th standard government exams in March continue to study alone dotted round on the sand of the sports field, they can be seen there too as soon as it's light in the morning.
Evening prayer in the separate hostels takes place at 7.00pm and again we give the message with the aid of a translator. Supper for us is a movable feast and much depends on who we are visiting that evening. Each day ends with the ritual of foot washing. We sleep soundly till the squeaking pump wakes us the next day.
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