Too busy to write!

(posted on October 7, 2010)

Wow - can it already be the last two days of this CSC experience in Kolkata?? I don't understand how that is possible, since it feels like we just got here.  The majority of my time has been working on the primary deliverables for the client, Iswar Sankalpa.  After a number of modifications and testing, the online database that we created was successfully turned over.  We had a train the trainer session with Samata, followed a couple days later with a session for the social workers which Samata led.  The feedback was very positive and I believe they now have the skill to create additional applications using the tool.  We spent the better part of the last week and a half compiling data from lengthy questionaires that the board members and social workers completed.  The outcome led to the creation of the detailed strategic plan for the organization, which was well received.

On Saturday, September 25th, the CSC India 8 team visited the IBM Kolkata office to participate in the Computer Literacy Program that the local office holds weekly for about 40 children from several NGO's.  The kids from each of the groups put on great performances showcasing the local music including some in traditional West Bengal clothes.  At the end of the program we asked one of the groups to teach us their dance to a popular song, Bum Bum Bolle from the movie Tara Zameen Paar.  It was a lot of fun.

 Last weekend we took a bus ride to Shantiniketan, the location of a university started by the famous poet Tagore.  Much of the learning is done outside under the trees.  While we visited, I couldn't understand why one class was shaking the branches of one tree, although we weren't allowed to get closer to find out.  Other classes consisting of a handful of students were scattered here and there.  A few people were even drawing the trees.  We toured the museum as well as walked around the outside of Tagore's home, and that of the summer cottage where Ghandi would stay when visiting.  We also visited a couple other towns, Bishnupur and Durga Pur, where we saw a few clay temples (now used as monuments) and a small shop where they were making silk products like scarves and sarees.  We stayed at a hotel called Mark and Meadows where IBM teammate Melanie from North Carolina, reigned as the queen of ping pong.  We saw a traditional Indian or West Bengali dance being performed outside, and I had a great pineapple chicken dinner followed by ice cream.

This week, the last week, I was fortunate to attend two other NGO projects where other IBM teammates were working.  On Monday I visited a morning assembly at a school called Future Hope, where Lloyd and Melanie worked.  The school is for street children who don't have families and they live at the school.  There were about 200 students in uniform, and it was awesome to see them sing songs in English, in addition to saying the Indian national anthem.  By looking at them, you would never know that they used to live on the street.  Framed artwork hung on the walls, and while some looked professional, they were all done by current or former students.  Yesterday we attended another NGO that Arlene and Joerg were working with called the Calcutta Social Project.  This organization teaches school in slum areas in addition to having one shelter where a large number of kids live.  We visited the house and had a great time playing with the kids, blowing up balloons, eating lollipops, and spending time talking to a couple of the directors to understand the needs and goals of the organization.  I had so many ideas for the building and program that I wish I had the time to visit earlier in the month.

Lastly, for my client, Iswar Sankalpa, we were able to visit the men's Drop In Center at the Hastings Police Station.  It is a little different from the women's night shelter in that men are able to go for the day, after they are picked up by ambulance (like a schoolbus!) from where they live on the street, and get a decent shower and meal, but cannot spend the night. When we visited shortly after lunch, the 8 men were just hanging out.  One sang a couple songs for everyone, and was also the arm wrestling champ.  After watching him put away a couple of the other guys, I felt up to the challenge, but even though I held out the longest, I was not victorious.  Maybe on the next visit!  At the end of the day, the ambulance takes the men back to their "home" on the street.  While more men have been returned home than women, others do not know where they are from, or do not want to go home.  Iswar Sankalpa continues to work with these men to provide medicine and help them with vocational training and in other areas to help them live a better life.

Today we are bringing a few teammates to the women's night shelter where we will say goodbye to our client and wonderful friends we have made working with Iswar Sankalpa.

Stay tuned!