Two days ago we finally got to Ramana's Garden, the orphanage that we will be volunteering at for the next week. I was really anxious at the beginning of the trip to start working and I am definitely glad we have begun the volunteer portion of this trip. Our first day we just moved in and met with Dwabha (the woman who started Ramana's), Paolo ( the crazy Argentinian who acts like an uncle to the kids spoiling them and riling them up), and Jamie (the sweet second hand to Dwabha who helps with tutoring and generally keeps things in order). She talked to us about our jobs for the next 8 days, and told us a little bit about what Ramana's is, and how it runs. Essentially the only condition for kids to be admitted to Ramana's is that they had to be living in a life threatening situation before being brought to Rishikesh. About half of the kids are Nepali, because a few years back there was a terrible war going on there and many of the Indian orphanages refused to take in kids from Nepal. The orphanage is also paired with a K-8 school with education equivocal to the best private education offered in India. About 120 children from the area also attend the school, and they only requirement for their admittance is that they have to be from the lowest caste.
Ramana's Garden runs off of funds Dwabha raises when she does international fundraising trips, and from the cafe which I have been working in the past two days. The cafe needs to make at least 6,000 rupees (approximately $112) in order to pay for the food for the children for the day. The kids are extremely warm and grateful to everyone they meet. I was showered with hugs and questions the minute I walked in. I have really enjoyed working with the older kids in the cafe, because it has given me a chance to talk with a few of them. The little ones are super adorable and just light up at the prospect of having new people to play with. The actual grounds are absolutely gorgeous, and act as a sanctuary from how chaotic India is. There is no trash on the ground (which I do not think can be said about any part of this town) and every open space is covered with beautiful greenery.
Website: http://www.friendsramanasgarden.org/
Ramana's Garden runs off of funds Dwabha raises when she does international fundraising trips, and from the cafe which I have been working in the past two days. The cafe needs to make at least 6,000 rupees (approximately $112) in order to pay for the food for the children for the day. The kids are extremely warm and grateful to everyone they meet. I was showered with hugs and questions the minute I walked in. I have really enjoyed working with the older kids in the cafe, because it has given me a chance to talk with a few of them. The little ones are super adorable and just light up at the prospect of having new people to play with. The actual grounds are absolutely gorgeous, and act as a sanctuary from how chaotic India is. There is no trash on the ground (which I do not think can be said about any part of this town) and every open space is covered with beautiful greenery.
Website: http://www.friendsramanasgarden.org/
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