Upto the 25/1/10

phew - ever since arriving in Chennai on 21st, our feet do not seemed to have left the ground, save for a few hours sleep!
After a great farwell from our DG Sandy, David, Mervyn and Gary the flight from Heathrow to Bangalore and then onto Chennai was smooth and univentful - save for the increasing excitement from the Team.  Anna seemed to have this personal mantra - ' I am going to India, I really am'
We were met at Chennai by Raj and his Team and after travelling for about 16 hrs we were ready for a little sleep - so after a 45 drive into the Town we went for breakfast.  Clearly the local Rotarians thought we had had our rest!  Of course, this journey provided the Team members with their first view of India and they were not disappointed.  All the preconcieved immages were there in abundance!
After another three hours or so we did arrive at our overnight hotel and were able to grab a few hours rest before being tken out to dinner.
On 22nd we were collected by our first host, but not before having been asked to get up at 7 am in order to attend an Indian Wedding.  The cellebrations start at about 6 am and we were present for the breakfast and were able to witness the actual ceremony.
My host, Bala and his wife live in a very spacious home and I was made most welcome.
In the evening the Team met up at the Chennai Club for a 'Assimulation Meeting'.  We met the District Govenor Annan and his wife Mina.  Also present were the other GSE Team from Sth Africa.  A livily group, led by a serving police officer, the Team members were  soon getting on to gether well. This augers well for the next month, as we will be in each others company for many hours.
On the 23/1 we all travelled to the 'Boys Town' a project run by the Chennai Central Rotary Club and which provides education and training to boys from disadvantaged backgrounds.  A residential school, the commitment of the staff and the application of the boys was very evident.
In the evening I went with Bala to a RYLA camp.  Held in a poor village, over three days, members of a local Rotoract Club were providing help and assistance, including a health camp. Back to bed at 11 pm.
On 24/1 We were programmed for a free day - but in my case Bala had other ideas! At 9 am, after breakfast and 30 mins travel we went firstly to Sri Ramakrishna Math - an inspiration school for 700 boys run by a religous order.  Early days and it will be good to do some follow up enquiries, but first reactions are that this is an imprssive example of help being given to boys from poor/slum backgrounds, which enables them to get gainful employment from 16 yrs. We then went to a health camp being organised by a local charity and run by NGOs and doctors, who work at the State Hospital, but give their time free to the camp. The camp, set up in a local school, was attended by 100's of  people who received free tratment and drugs for such ailments as diabetus, hypertension as well as eye, dentaland other routine tretments. In the evening we went to a Rotary District Foundation Dinner to honour a local surgeon who had retired after 40 years treating leprosy victims with corective surgery for their misahpened limbs.  DG Annan and the Regional Minister were present.
25/1.  Vocational Day.  With Raj the Team leader from Sth Africa we visited the Tamil Nadu Police Training School.  A new build opened two years ago it is still being extended but currently provides training for about 300 constables and 50 sub inspectors.  In the after noon Bala and I went to visit an IT firm run by one of his Club members who out of a work force of 650 employs some 20% with physical disabilities.  In the evening both Teams came together at the Charter evening of a Chennai Rotary Club.  Bed at 11.30!!

Please view the above as a draft - more detail to be inserted as well as photos, but time and my lack of ability is at present preventing doing a better job!