The girls home and school was my first point of call, and the girls had drawn some beautiful signs to welcome me! I had the privilege of sitting in on school classes where the girls sit in open sided classrooms to learn writing, spelling and mathematics. The smiling faces were proof of the safety and hope that I-India provides to these girls who have come here from a variety of backgrounds, many traumatic and abusive.
They sang a beautiful song for me about gathering various types of food. Everyone comes together with music, and to see how it heals these girls to sing is touching to say the least. You certainly don’t get that on "Popstars"!

I was shown around the vocational centre for women, where the girls learn the craft of Jewellery making. Jaipur is famous for it’s Jewellery and Handicrafts. I was happy to hear that the girls are paid for the work they make. The money they earn is individually banked for them. So when they turn age 18, they are given their money to help support themselves in a business, or to further their education.
I even received some personal instruction, but assured the girls that they were far better at jewellery making than me!! I kept getting my fingers included in the work!

They sang for me and I sang for them, and they also danced a traditional Rajasthani dance for me… I was asked to join in, which made me look like a windmill in a field of butterflies!

Afterwards I was taken across town to visit the Boys Vocational Centre, where young boys come to do their schooling and to learn the craft of Tailoring. The boys were seated cross legged on the floor engrossed in a Maths lesson that was fit for Einstein!! They showed me their beautiful workbooks, proudly displaying their writing and maths. I couldn’t help thinking how their attitudes were so appreciative of the chance to learn. These kids understand that an education is a chance to a better life and they try their best to learn in the few hours each day that they get to go to school. No Bart Simpsons here!

The boys learn stitching techniques by hand, and then they graduate to working on the treadle machines learning all the skills needed to allow them to tailor all manner of handcrafts and clothes. The boys home was located around the corner from their school. They have a library and there is a Doctor who is in house several days of the week to attend to the many health issues of these children. The boys home had recently been repainted inside and someone had kindly done some great murals on the walls for the boys to look at. I also got to meet personally with the priceless people who man the phones of "Childline" India, where they are inundated with calls from, and about children who need help. My day with I-India was a day I will never forget. I saw first hand how an initiative that started with just two people can make a very real difference, and had snowballed into a charity that feeds, protects, houses, educates, heals, cleans and nurtures over 3000 homeless, orphaned, abused and destitute children each and every day throughout Jaipur. It is true when charities tell us that even $10 does so much in these places. $10 in our money can mean that an ill child gets treatment. For the price of one cup of coffee, we can really feed a child for a day. Think about it! Why not consider sponsoring one of these children…your small change can honestly give so much…

See a whole lot more about this great organization at: www.i-indiaonline.com
Also visit this site to find out more about what you can do to help from within Australia www.i-indiaproject.org.au
View Marisa's India Journal and Pics here.
Special Thanks to NEWSPOWER Newsagency Croydon for kindly supporting I-india.