Day 11 - Monday 20th Nov

Submitted by Siobhan Crossan on November 22, 2006 - 07:48.

First official visit in Bangalore and I suppose first real chance to see the city in action.

Association for Physical Disabilities (APD) is our first official visit – this organization is truly amazing. Their main centre comprises of training courses for people with disabilities of all kinds. It has wheelchair access which is pretty uncommon in India. The centre empowers the disabled to get a trade and/or qualification which in turn enables them to seek and gain employment in the private sector. It also has on-site facilities for the repair of wheelchairs and making/fitting calibers etc.

I think we in Britain can learn a lot from this organization and it certainly one I will be keeping in contact with. APD’s second site is relatively new (it is only 6 yrs old). It’s an agricultural centre for the disabled which is also open to the public 6 days a week, now this is a garden centre (B&Q please take note) the staff here are inspirational, they have a real pride in their work are so friendly and willing to help and give advice. Their knowledge of all the plants and different species of flowers, trees etc was captivating. There is a new accommodation block which is almost complete and this will eventually house up-to 40 students who will live and train on site. This truly is an organization which I feel would be very valuable in any society. Also, the empowerment and sense of worth the participants evidently receive is unmeasurable.

After a long day we now have the chance for some retail therapy!! - MGM road watch out here we come. read more | add new comment | india

Day 10 - Sunday 19th Nov

Submitted by Siobhan Crossan on November 22, 2006 - 07:46.

Left the Jungle Retreat this morning for Mysore. Everyone is a bit quiet as we all had a pretty late night. The journey was much the same as usual (very bumpy). Lunch was arranged at The Green Hotel and spirits picked up when we reached here and everyone looked on it as ‘coming home’. It was actually quite sad saying good-bye for the last time but its off to catch the train for Bangalore.

Travelling by train is a totally different experience in India (I must make a mental note never to complain about British Rail again!). It may be more comfortable as opposed to travelling by bus but the people are jammed in like sardines, there are vendors selling everything you can think of from beverages to food this is one form of transport where you certainly won’t be hungry (as long as you have the money to purchase).

Our new accommodation for the next 4 nights is FMC (Frontier Management Centre) Bangalore, first impressions very good – I think I’m going to like it here!!!

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