Hey everyone!

It’s Josie and Lara here to talk to you about our fourth day at GPS. We are both in Grade 2 classes and have had an amazing time so far getting to know all the kids and teachers. We  started our day with Nutella and peanut butter toast, as always, and fought for a chance to shower before heading off to school. 

Once we got to school we went to our classrooms and started our day with Tamil class. During Tamil class we both got the opportunity to talk to the teacher and learn more about her life story. We learned that she was the first in her family to graduate from high school and how she started working at GPS. It was truly inspiring to hear about how she overcame the adversities she faced and her gratitude for working at GPS.

As the day went on, we both got to be part of a lesson about waste management. Our Grade 2 students were learning about the effects of the trash, how to reduce it, and which materials are biodegradable. We were both able to make connections between what they were learning and  what we have been learning in our geography classes. 

After school, we split into two groups. Ten people made bracelets with some of the kids and ten people visited the community where many students live. The bracelet-making group got the chance to talk to the students in grades 6 to 9 and hear about their experiences at GPS. Since some of us have mostly been working with younger kids, having longer conversations with the middle schoolers was informative. At the settlement, the community where many GPS students live, we got to hear and see what great things GPS has done for their families. For example, one of the mothers told us about how GPS has given her children access to medical care. We also got to hear about how excited the kids were to teach their families English after learning it at school. The GPS students were so happy to see us in their community.

Once we got back to the guest house some of us went on a walk into town. We bought a lot of candy (some of which we’ve never tried before) and treats! We returned to the guest house and sat down for a dinner of chapatis and curry. We also heard some exciting news. Due to dangerously high air quality in Kochi, new plans for the weekend trip had to be made. Instead of Kochi, we will be heading to Ooty, where we will visit a tea plantation and chocolate factory. Even though the plans have changed we are all so super excited to explore this new part of India.

Overall, we are looking forward to the weekend trip and Hannah’s birthday.

Lara and Josie