AGS India Immersion Programme 2017/18

Ben Lerner I believe largely that the problems of India (mostly) come down to two things: Overpopulation and the societal emphasis on having children no matter the circumstance, and the lack of awareness for the rights of women and the unequal view of men and women. When going into Asha I saw the mission of a woman, Dr Kirin Martin, to try and combat overpopulation through healthcare, and the lack of awareness for the rights of women through education. Asha started amidst a cholera outbreak in slums, when Dr Martin recognised that no work was being done to combat this outbreak. She used her qualifications as a doctor to sit in the middle of a slum, surrounded by everything from rats to pigs, and immunize people to try and prevent them from getting cholera. She realised through this that nothing was being used to target the minimal healthcare in slums and improve it, and decided to start Asha as a means of providing healthcare to people in slums, as well as edu...

Nikau   Nga kai pai mo te puku   BRAT. The four foods that are guaranteed to ease the stomach lining after a mad case of Delhi belly. Banana, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast.   After witnessing a number of our boys (and staff) fall victim to the notorious Delhi belly over the course of the trip, as well as having my own little experience in Darjeeling, I felt that it would be appropriate at this time- now over halfway through our tour- to share with you all what it was exactly that saved my life during this dark period of the tour: BRAT.   First of all you do not need to be in Delhi to experience the infamous Delhi belly. A number of us quickly realised this almost immediately & early on in the trip- and still do to this very moment. You cannot run, you cannot hide from it, some people either get lucky (Mr Jordan and Tom) or become unfortunate. But generally, no one is safe.   In Darjeeling I was fortunate enough to be close to a normal ...

Ryan Donovan and Ollie Schnauer  While visiting the New Zealand High Commission on Wednesday we were treated to a slice of a home. New Zealand tea, scones and raspberry slice were all served after an insightful discussion about the High Commissioner's role. Afterwards, we were fortunate enough to get a tour of the compound. Ollie and I were hard done by, ending up in a group with Tom, Reuben, Mr. Jordan and Mr. Crook. The entire staff. Mr. Crook took the formal tour as an opportunity to conduct some 'business research' - an interesting approach to say the least. While in the Deputy High Commissioner's office, Tom Rapson went next level. While discussing careers and the like, Tom decided to pipe up and ask the Commissioner what she was up to for Christmas and New Years? This was followed by a very awkward period of time where Tom was in backpedal overdrive. After getting himself out of the situation we said our goodbyes and left the room. However, Mr. Crook was n...

As good as it was to see the photo of the group outside the High Commission in New Delhi, it came as a bit of a surprise to actually see everyone after 3 weeks of being away. In that time I've become used to reading the blogs every morning - looking forward to news of new experiences, people and places. Call me old-fashioned but the real genius of the blog is its reliance on words over images, contrary to every trend in social media today. In our mind's eye back in New Zealand we are sharing these experiences, in surround sound and full technicolour. Some images are more welcome than others - George's legs and Michael's nappy are two that spring to mind a little too readily for my liking! - but in due course these will recede and make way for others. As I write from a very muggy Coopers Beach, I am trying to imagine the upcoming train journey to Mumbai and wondering whether it will be more starched tablecloths and silver service or livestock in the aisles and peopl...

  The Invitation by Oriah     It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.     It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.     It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain.     I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it, or fade it, or fix it.     I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own; if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, remember the limitatio...

Our final full day in Jaipur today and despite some illness, this city and its people have served us very well over the past couple of days. So much so that Zac Morrow has decided he wants to become a camel driver when he leaves school just so he can come back to the desert state of Rajasthan. Whatever floats your boat mate, but university is also not a bad idea…     With no other questionable career choices to report, I'll get into things but not before a quick PSA: in preparation for Christmas Day, please note that the boys will be ringing their respective families at some time between 6-8pm (NZ time) on the 25th. If you haven't done so already please email your sons on their personal Indian email addresses with the NZ number/s you can be contacted on at that time of the day.     Thank you! Now here's the download:     Sunday 23 December   Sickness Update – Cam MacFarlane and Leo Smith are back to their chirpy selves and ha...