Surendra visited Hunar Ghar today, as did Madan and Sunny. Surendra was under consideration for a job with us, Madan (the minature painting painter) was interested to see how he could become involved and Sunny (who worked with us for three months last year) was returning to help Madan find his way and say hi to everyone.

Surendra is no longer under consideration for a job as I offered it to him and, pending the all OK from his dad, he’s up for working with us. Madan has decided he will come for a week long visit to teach the children how topaint really well. Obviously they aren’t going to get it in that kind of time, but they can get inspired and lots of ideas to practice with then Madan can come again another time for a week and so on to keep the children progressing.

I really enjoyed showing the guys around Hunar Ghar. It’s rediculous I know but I feel so proud of all the great things the children are doing. All the kids were smiling and busy making bags and jewelry, or helping away in the kitchen, or watching Madan painting then having a go themselves, or taking it in turns to practice on the sewing machine today even using it to kix their broken cloths and sewing hems into one of the kitchen girls’ roughly cut saree. I think nearly every child was absorbed in doing something or other will little or no coercion from the teachers, it was fantastic to see.

I left one of the children in charge of locking up Hunar Ghar again today so they can use it for as long as they want to in the afternoon, another little sign of significance that we’re developing towards informality and initiative led learning, which is nice.

So my work is all but done for this chapter in India. Just a morning spent with the children tomorrow then a few meetings on Saturday and I’ll be done. I almost exhaled this afternoon but then I got scared that I’d completely pass-out and not be able to get it together for the next two days so I had to jump up again and do some work!