View point shifting => an inter-Indian exchange

In the month November we did not have much time for normal activities, as not only the mid-term-seminar in KKID, but also the so called "Inter-project-visit" (=IPV) was lined up. During the IPV we visited for three days another NGO that also hosts KKS volunteers and in return one team came to NMCT. This exchange is supposed to give us a more various picture of the work of Indian NGOs and possible tasks of volunteers, so that we can reflect on our own work on another level. Furthermore it gives us the chance to get a better and more differentiated insight into development cooperation.

We were visited by Anton and Liam from the project PDS, whose task is it to make a documentary film about one of the biggest NGOs in South India. Due to the completely different field of work they were very interested in our life with the children and got involved in various activities - this included support with English Class, a paper chase through the neighbourhood, a treasure hunt, making popcorn for Saturday's movie night...
The girls were very excited to have male visitors from Germany and directly started to call the two boys "Harry Potter brother" and "Ron brother". We (Hannah and Paula) profited from the Inter-project-visit as well: the exchange and several discussions have given us new points of view on ourl life in Abhaya.

After the mid-term-seminar we then visited the touristic valley Kumily, in the mountains of Kerala. Here Felix and Paul support the organisation VOSARD, which works since 35 years for better living conditions of disadvantaged people in rural areas. For us it was interesting to see that VOSARD - like NMCT - establishes Self-Help-Groups to provide the sustainability of their projects. Furthermore we got to know more about the "Childline India" - a national 24-hours hotline which helps street children, school dropouts and in cases of child marriage and child abuse.
It was also exciting to experience another Indian lifestyle as the boys are accommodated with four of their staff members in a shared apartment over VOSARD's office. Without much expenditure we were allowed to be part of it for three days... all in all we returned to Abhaya with a lot of new impressions!

support with Skill Building

Tressure hunt in the neighbourhood   

making popcorn

English class topic " adjectivs/ feelings"

Thank you Liam! ;-)

Reception of a former Abhaya student 

Kerala's beautiful nature

on a spice tour

in Vosards counselling room

making Christmas cards

                                                                shared kitchen