India 2023
Report India Trip 2023
On arrival in India, we were welcomed very warmly, with many thanks to all the godparents.
On Thursday 26/10 we visited the St. Joseph’s boy school. A school with up to 2,000 students, ranging from kindergarten to PUC (Pre-University Course). An official reception followed the ‘general assembly’ with the school.
On Friday 27/10 we visited Father Nathan’s school, where there was also a ‘general assembly’ with a greeting to management, teachers, and students. The national anthems of Karnataka and India were played, with all the children, dressed in uniform, standing in nice straight rows. A beautiful sight to see. Because the children were sitting in the sun, only a few words were said. Once again there was a lot of tribute to the godparents, with a heart-warming welcome. We then received a tour of the different classes. Very cute to see were the toddlers who come together at the start of the school day and then go to their own classroom. A visit was also made to the Cluny Sisters who care for disabled children. They also make their own tools.
Saturday 28/10 was a holiday, during which the children had to come to school. Various activities take place at the schools, such as a number of sports competitions. In the afternoon we were visited by a group of children from Bellary. A special reception program was created together with Sister Rani and the Fathers. The bishop gave a speech and there was also dancing. Then there was something to drink and something small to eat. We gave the children their envelope and pen, and photos were also taken.
On Sunday 29/10, we were welcomed in the church where we were allowed to attend the baptism of a child. During this day we also made the first of many home visits.
We then traveled on to Maski, where we met our first ex-godchild, Sister Mary, the superior here. The temperatures here easily reach 30/32° Celsius. We also made time here to visit different villages and people.
November 1, All Saints’ Day was not only a Christian holiday, but also a public holiday of the state of Karnataka, of course with an official character. We were very happy with the visit of an ex-godson. He was the first sponsored child and is now a lawyer who stands up for his people. He is extremely grateful to his godparents. That day, plants were also planted here and another lawyer, also an ex-godson, was present. This clearly shows that with a little help a lot can be achieved. On All Souls’ Day, a mass took place in the cemetery, where several godchildren and parents also stopped by.
When traveling around like this, one is often happy to be back in the ‘civilized world’: if you are used to internet, WiFi and WhatsApp, it is strange to be without them. In the meantime, we saw the children of Harapur and visited the villages and the homes of various people. These people are very happy: we received a warm welcome with the traditional scarves and wreath. The flower wreaths then go to the church or chapel.
We notice that things are changing very slowly. The ex-godchildren generally have a good job. Their parents don’t know how to thank the godparents. They say thank you 1000 times and are also very proud to show their house.
Hygiene sometimes leaves much to be desired. Although there is a big difference between one village and another. The roads are also improving, although there are still many potholes here and there. In the meantime we move to Mudgal for 1 night and then on to Kamalapur for a few days.
As our trip comes to an end, we met several children again in Kamalapur. And here too they asked to visit their house. Everyone is so grateful for the support they receive from the godparents. The people really need it. We met a family without a father. The mother cannot work for health reasons and it is the grandmother who provides the money, because the grandfather has also died. All very difficult for them. It was very nice to be able to eat our breakfast in Kamalapur together with the people there.
At the end of our “working visit” we see a few more children in Bellary and then take a few days’ holiday. We will report further on this.
Riet en Frédéric
On arrival in India, we were welcomed very warmly, with many thanks to all the godparents.
On Thursday 26/10 we visited the St. Joseph’s boy school. A school with up to 2,000 students, ranging from kindergarten to PUC (Pre-University Course). An official reception followed the ‘general assembly’ with the school.
On Friday 27/10 we visited Father Nathan’s school, where there was also a ‘general assembly’ with a greeting to management, teachers, and students. The national anthems of Karnataka and India were played, with all the children, dressed in uniform, standing in nice straight rows. A beautiful sight to see. Because the children were sitting in the sun, only a few words were said. Once again there was a lot of tribute to the godparents, with a heart-warming welcome. We then received a tour of the different classes. Very cute to see were the toddlers who come together at the start of the school day and then go to their own classroom. A visit was also made to the Cluny Sisters who care for disabled children. They also make their own tools.
Saturday 28/10 was a holiday, during which the children had to come to school. Various activities take place at the schools, such as a number of sports competitions. In the afternoon we were visited by a group of children from Bellary. A special reception program was created together with Sister Rani and the Fathers. The bishop gave a speech and there was also dancing. Then there was something to drink and something small to eat. We gave the children their envelope and pen, and photos were also taken.
On Sunday 29/10, we were welcomed in the church where we were allowed to attend the baptism of a child. During this day we also made the first of many home visits.
We then traveled on to Maski, where we met our first ex-godchild, Sister Mary, the superior here. The temperatures here easily reach 30/32° Celsius. We also made time here to visit different villages and people.
November 1, All Saints’ Day was not only a Christian holiday, but also a public holiday of the state of Karnataka, of course with an official character. We were very happy with the visit of an ex-godson. He was the first sponsored child and is now a lawyer who stands up for his people. He is extremely grateful to his godparents. That day, plants were also planted here and another lawyer, also an ex-godson, was present. This clearly shows that with a little help a lot can be achieved. On All Souls’ Day, a mass took place in the cemetery, where several godchildren and parents also stopped by.
When traveling around like this, one is often happy to be back in the ‘civilized world’: if you are used to internet, WiFi and WhatsApp, it is strange to be without them. In the meantime, we saw the children of Harapur and visited the villages and the homes of various people. These people are very happy: we received a warm welcome with the traditional scarves and wreath. The flower wreaths then go to the church or chapel.
We notice that things are changing very slowly. The ex-godchildren generally have a good job. Their parents don’t know how to thank the godparents. They say thank you 1000 times and are also very proud to show their house.
Hygiene sometimes leaves much to be desired. Although there is a big difference between one village and another. The roads are also improving, although there are still many potholes here and there. In the meantime we move to Mudgal for 1 night and then on to Kamalapur for a few days.
As our trip comes to an end, we met several children again in Kamalapur. And here too they asked to visit their house. Everyone is so grateful for the support they receive from the godparents. The people really need it. We met a family without a father. The mother cannot work for health reasons and it is the grandmother who provides the money, because the grandfather has also died. All very difficult for them. It was very nice to be able to eat our breakfast in Kamalapur together with the people there.
At the end of our “working visit” we see a few more children in Bellary and then take a few days’ holiday. We will report further on this.
Riet en Frédéric
India 2018
I am Stefan, I am a foster parent and went with a lady friend to India to meet my foster children and experience how they are living there.
It took quite some preparation because you are going to an unknown place and you don’t know what to expect. After all it is quite different from a vacation on the beach in the Balearic Islands, isn’t it.
I decided to go from 02/12 till 12/12/2018 and got my tickets. We flew directly to Bangalore where we were met by the driver from Father David. Later on he drove us personally to Bellary where we were extremely well received by the Bishop. We visited the Cathedral neighbourhood. This is quite an experience when you are used to luxury like we are without quite well realising it. The people are welcoming you wholeheartedly, are very grateful and incredibly friendly and happy notwithstanding their poverty. Also in Bellary we visited a school where Father Francis is manager. A very kind person who invited us for dinner the next day. We had a good conversation and this was a very pleasant occasion.
Next our journey brought us to Harapur where we received a friendly welcome from Father Anil. Together we visited a school for very young children from 3 to 5 years old. We spent the night in Harapur, which was very nice.
The following day we were officially welcomed in Maski. There we visited the school and the boarding where 127 children live and where they stay, returning only 3 times in a year to their family. Those children made our stay very enjoyable. Everybody is kind and sympathetic like Father Chinnappa and the 3 lady cooks of the boarding who really pampered us. With Father Chinnappa, we also visited Badami, a place with many old temples. Nice to be seen. We certainly never got short on food: a small breakfast, normal breakfast, lunch, coffee and dinner, yeah! You definitely don’t lose weight and you are never hungry. The last day in Maski we went shopping with three assistants to help us find whatever it was we wanted to purchase. Later that day we left for Raichur.
We were welcomed there by Father John Peter. We arrived in the evening and had a very nice dinner. The next day he took us around in the school he manages and where 2500 children can also study in English. Very interesting visit. After that he took us to Hyderabad. There we visited several poor neighbourhoods. Even here people offer you food and drinks and feel honoured and grateful when you visit their home. Although they own almost nothing they are happy with what they have.
Dear foster parents, the people in India are kind and friendly and they take good care of you. To be quite honest, I never experienced such a warm welcome even in a 5 star hotel. Unbelievable how friendly and accommodating they are. I can only recommend to go there if you can. Just go, its an enrichment. I will go back that is for sure. A great experience. You need to be prepared (visit Tropisch Instituut in Antwerpen) but it is worthwhile. You won’t have luxury, but the question is: do you need this to be happy? When you are there you realise that it is not necessary. It surely was the best trip I ever made until now. And if you like chicken and rice it is definitely the right place.
It took quite some preparation because you are going to an unknown place and you don’t know what to expect. After all it is quite different from a vacation on the beach in the Balearic Islands, isn’t it.
I decided to go from 02/12 till 12/12/2018 and got my tickets. We flew directly to Bangalore where we were met by the driver from Father David. Later on he drove us personally to Bellary where we were extremely well received by the Bishop. We visited the Cathedral neighbourhood. This is quite an experience when you are used to luxury like we are without quite well realising it. The people are welcoming you wholeheartedly, are very grateful and incredibly friendly and happy notwithstanding their poverty. Also in Bellary we visited a school where Father Francis is manager. A very kind person who invited us for dinner the next day. We had a good conversation and this was a very pleasant occasion.
Next our journey brought us to Harapur where we received a friendly welcome from Father Anil. Together we visited a school for very young children from 3 to 5 years old. We spent the night in Harapur, which was very nice.
The following day we were officially welcomed in Maski. There we visited the school and the boarding where 127 children live and where they stay, returning only 3 times in a year to their family. Those children made our stay very enjoyable. Everybody is kind and sympathetic like Father Chinnappa and the 3 lady cooks of the boarding who really pampered us. With Father Chinnappa, we also visited Badami, a place with many old temples. Nice to be seen. We certainly never got short on food: a small breakfast, normal breakfast, lunch, coffee and dinner, yeah! You definitely don’t lose weight and you are never hungry. The last day in Maski we went shopping with three assistants to help us find whatever it was we wanted to purchase. Later that day we left for Raichur.
We were welcomed there by Father John Peter. We arrived in the evening and had a very nice dinner. The next day he took us around in the school he manages and where 2500 children can also study in English. Very interesting visit. After that he took us to Hyderabad. There we visited several poor neighbourhoods. Even here people offer you food and drinks and feel honoured and grateful when you visit their home. Although they own almost nothing they are happy with what they have.
Dear foster parents, the people in India are kind and friendly and they take good care of you. To be quite honest, I never experienced such a warm welcome even in a 5 star hotel. Unbelievable how friendly and accommodating they are. I can only recommend to go there if you can. Just go, its an enrichment. I will go back that is for sure. A great experience. You need to be prepared (visit Tropisch Instituut in Antwerpen) but it is worthwhile. You won’t have luxury, but the question is: do you need this to be happy? When you are there you realise that it is not necessary. It surely was the best trip I ever made until now. And if you like chicken and rice it is definitely the right place.
India 2017
English version coming soon!