The on-going Cookery 2-weeks program in India started from 18^th of July onwards and is going to finish by 31^st of July 2010. The volunteer is taken for the famous hotels in Madurai and had given an opportunity to learn and cook the traditional dishes of south-india as well as north-india. Also she got a chance to visit the famous bakeries in Madurai to get to know how the baked dishes are prepared in India.

Projects Abroad India organised the weekend trip to Kodaikanal and as a part of social events she was taken to famous temple,palace,museum around Madurai after her work hours.

Contributed by Nadia – the Social Manager

Last Sunday, Projects Abroad India conducted the Tree Planting activity at an orphanage named Anbarasi Social Action in Dindigul which is one-hour drive from Madurai.

I met about 18 volunteers at the Bus station and we all took a bus that takes about an hour to reach the town – Dindigul. Since we felt hungry we had our breakfast in the nearby hotel then we took an autorickshaw to the orphanage.

All the children at the orphanage were eagerly waiting for our arrival and once we arrived they greeted us with flowers and kumkum. Then I just explained the kids and the Volunteers about that days work that we have targeted for.

Volunteers were very much happy and they started their work with the tools that were provided. Each of the volunteer planted atleast two saplings of shade-giving trees like neem,etc. Then all the volunteers just divide them into small groups and started digging very large pits of 4 feet depth to plant the coconut saplings. Our volunteers struggled a lot to dig the pits because it was a very rough surface.

The children over there also were so happy in helping our volunteers and they just followed the volunteers in doing work.Atlast we planted about 9 coconut saplings on that day and the placement supervisor assured us they will plant remaining 40 saplings with the help of the near-by farmers in the village.Since all the volunteers were very much tired, we just finished our work and played some games like football, cricket with the children.

While in the afternoon, we had a very good Lunch at the orphanage along with the children and the whole expense for the meals was taken care by Projects Abroad India.

After the lunch also our volunteers played few nice games with the children.In the evening, All the volunteers and me(Nadia) left the orphanage heavy heartedly by saying the kids we will be back again..

And am sure we inscribed the wonderful carvings of Projects Abroad in the minds of children at Anbarasi Social Action.

Contributed by Nadia Chellam Cyril - Social Manager India

Recently, Our volunteers in India had their weekend trip to Kanyakumari (the southernmost tip of India)and it was one of the most interesting one.

Our volunteers got a chance to visit the famous palace, beach and the waterfalls and it was amazing!Volunteers also spent some time at the world renowned Hanging bridge and had a very good time over there.

Our group of volunteers also visited the famous Vivekananda Memorial Rock and Thiruvalluvar statue during the weekend trip and they criticized it to be worthy trip.

Contributed by Nadia – the Social Manager, India

The 2-Weeks special Medicine program in India started 28^th June onwards and ended up during 2^nd week of July. The volunteers were splitted off into three groups and each group got the opportunity to visit the famous hospitals in Madurai and observe the treatment procedures which was carried over by various famous doctors in Madurai.

Also they got a chance to visit the famous Leprosy hospital as well as Ayurvedic treatment centre in the near-by town of Madurai.

Projects Abroad India orgnised the weekend trip to Kodaikanal and as a part of social events they were taken to famous temple,palace,museum around Madurai after their work hours.

As a whole the volunteers as well as the staff were very happy with this programme.

Contributed by Nadia

Last weekend Projects Abroad India organised the weekend trip to Kodaikanal for our 2- weeks special Medical programme volunteers and it turns to be wonderful..

We all had a group trekking for 3 hours in the Kodaikanal valley and then headed to go for site seeing to places like Pillar Rocks, Green valley View, Suicide Point , Upper Lake View and the volunteer kids were really happy to view around these places..

Also we had a visit to the Museum where they have displayed the preserved specimens of various flora and fauna in the Kodaikanal hills.

Finally, we headed back to their respective placements after having a look at the Silver falls, Coaker’s walk and the Park..

Contributed by Nadia - the Social Manager