Pre-written Entry 2

6/4/10

Yesterday was my first working day at the GCK. To become familiar with the organization’s many programs, failures, successes and future goals, I had to spend the entire day reading annual reports from the last three years. At first the reading was enthralling, but it quickly became monotonous and repetitive. The organization’s main focuses are the Family Helper Program, women‘s Self Help Groups, and a loan program to purchase dairy animals with the acronym LEEP. The reports were full of acronyms, some without any sort of explanation, and some for things only mentioned once. One acronym was eight letters long, and actually more complex than the program’s full name.

There is an internet connection at the center, but it is dial-up and can take a long time to connect. That means I probably will not be getting online very often, and I will only be able to post photos when I make the trip to Jaipur. I decided not to purchase a SIM card for my phone, as of right now. That might change, but I really don’t feel the need for a telephone right now.

Before dinner last night, we were invited over to visit the neighboring family. I wish I could have understood what the mother was saying! She was all smiles and hand gestures, so I just smiled back. She fed me a huge plate full of watermelon covered in salt. It was a little weird, but I ate as much as I could without spoiling my appetite for the simple and delicious dinner Govind, the cook/general helper, was preparing.

It rained really hard while everyone was sleeping last night. I had both of my windows open to catch the cool breeze. For the first time since arriving in India one week ago, I woke up from my sleep and needed to put more clothes on! Normally I have to sleep on my back with my limbs spread away from my body just so I don’t sweat my skin off. But last night I had to put a jacket on to stay warm. Rajiv says that the temperature should be about 25 degrees Centigrade today. That, my friends, is amazing.

Tomorrow is Saturday, which means I have the day off. I don’t have any reason to head into Jaipur, but I think staying around the organization might get a little boring. Also, I don’t know if John is going into the city. I don’t know how to get in on my own.