Finally getting settled both into work and the community made us realise why we were here. The kids at the day care centre were really warming to us and we were getting to know them as individuals allowing us to develop a teaching style. Although the women in the day care centre were more of an issue than the kids as they would talk over our teaching in Hindi and generally disturb the kids.

One of the women also hit a school child directly in front of our toddlers; which in itself was hard to see let alone for the kids! Especially when trying to encourage the kids not to hit each other!
The first few weeks were hard at work as communication and cultural differences made it difficult to teach and interact.

The aim of women’s empowerment as we understood was to educate women in regards to young pregnancy, periods and developing confidence. But we just seemed to be doing English with them which was not how we imagined; but will hopefully equally build their confidence and independence. Getting to know them better may enable us to educate them in regard to women’s issues. Considering English is not their mother tongue their exams are equally as hard; so teaching A-level English is proving harder than expected!

At long last the weekend arrived and it felt like a holiday; we are based up in the beautiful Himalayan Mountains which has refreshing rivers so we spent the afternoon swimming- fully clothed of course - all the men got away with swimming trunks!

Alike a typical Saturday night at home we did 'India's got talent' in the house, whereby volunteers displayed their talent ranging from singing and rapping to a peg-man; followed by a sober dancing session.

Waking up on a Sunday morning was strange with no hang over and no Hollyoaks instead a beautiful view of the Himalayan mountains!