• When you visit Snehalaya think about why you are going and what you hope to gain from the experience? What you have to offer and how you might be able to help out in some small way?
• Remember, most of all, that you are in India and don’t visit Snehalaya with western expectations. You are in India. Keep reminding yourself how much is being done with few resources, the fact that the staff are providing these children with the first home they have had in their lives, that these children finally have a family and are surrounded by people who care about them.
• Standards of care etc may not meet what you are used to in England, the US or Australia, but you are not in England, the US or Australia. You are in Gwalior, India and you are there to provide any help that you can. Some days this may just mean sitting in the lawn playing with children, other days it will be in the classroom. If you find yourself making comparisons between India and home try and stop yourself and remind yourself of places like Mercy Home and where these children would be if it were not for Snehalaya.
• Be positive! Remember that you are there for a short stay, the staff at Snehalaya are here long term and * they don’t need to hear constantly how things should be changed or should be different. Imagine if someone different walked into your office every few weeks and told you things should be done differently?
• Try and learn a bit of the language before you go. Sanjay and Mansi will always translate for you, but you will learn more the more you are able to communicate with all of the staff.
• Show initiative! The staff are very busy and you are there to help rather than be helped. Of course, the staff will provide any support and help you need but you will be far more help to the children and the staff if you just get involved. When you arrived and have spent a couple of days at Snehalaya think about how you might be able to help, think about what skills you have and how you might be able to use them. The staff are open to suggestions and will be open to your ideas. You don’t have to be a teacher and you don’t have to be there to change the world, the first time you put a smile on the face of one of these children you will realise why you are there.
• Be respectful, no just of the culture but also of the people you are working with. Just because staff members don’t have your qualifications or don’t speak English certainly doesn’t mean that they don’t have a wealth of experiences and information that you can learn from. These carers spend 24 hours a day with groups of children with high special needs and they cope amazingly well. Sometimes it doesn’t hurt to remind them of the wonderful job they are doing. It might be what you would expect where you are from, but put it in context and put yourself in their shoes. For the training they have, the experience they have, you will look back after your visit and realise what amazing people these are.
• Don’t try and ‘change’ everything, try and help!

Hello! My name is Linda Nevin-Drummond. I am a Senco currently working at a mainstream secondary school in London but I have also worked in primary and middle schools. I responded to a small notice in a teacher’s newsletter about six years ago and have been involved with Snehalaya ever since. I have been out to Gwalior three times to work with the project. I am sure you will find it the best experience in your life as I did.
One of my highlights was to be with the children in August 2006 as the new home opened. As the vehicle moved off to take them to Snehalya, the children’s faces lit up when they realised that finally they were leaving their life of deprivation and neglect for their new home with people who cared for them. I went back this summer and was impressed with the progress that the children are making. For example, Sibhu and Nandu, who had in the past been left lying on the floor day after day with little stimulation, are now in their wheelchairs, interacting with people and making use of the multi-sensory room and other facilities.
The teachers at Snehalaya are very dedicated and welcome any support you can give to help their training. I taught an in-service session for teachers at the Sunrise school in the city which was also attended by one of the state educational officials
The children are very friendly and eager to communicate- body language goes a long way even if you don’t speak any Hindi! Staff members often know English or there is always someone to translate.
Please go and see for yourself- you will be glad that you did.
My email address is linda@mirin-361.eclipse.co.uk so do contact me if I can help.

FROM Arvind Khamitkar , I.A.S, Director of Medical & Research Div,Chennai
A few weeks ago, in a movie theatre, a person felt something poking from her seat. when she got up to see what it was, she found a needle sticking out of the seat with a note attached saying "You have just been infected by HIV".

The Disease Control Center (in Paris ) reports many similar events in many other cities recently. All tested needles were HIV Positive. The Center also reports that needles have been found in cash dispensers at public banking machines. We ask everyone to use extreme caution when faced with this kind of situation. All public chairs/seats should be inspected with vigilance and caution before use. A careful visual inspection should be enough. In addition, they ask that each of you pass this message along to all members of your family and your friends of the potential danger.

Recently, one doctor has narrated a somewhat similar instance that happened to one of his patients at the Priya Cinema in Delhi . A young girl, engaged and about to be married in a couple of months, was pricked while the movie was going on. The tag with the needle had the message "Welcome to the World of HIV family".

Though the doctors told her family that it takes about 6 months before the virus grows strong enough to start damaging the system and a healthy victim could lead a normal life, *the girl died in 4 months, perhaps more because of the "Shock thought".
We all have to be careful at public places, rest God help! Just think about saving a life by forwarding this message. Please, take a few seconds of your time to pass along.

Rather than forwarding irrelevant mails, kindly pass this to every one and tell every one whomsoever you know or meet.Probably you can help some save his/her life
Dr.B.K.Sharma.

which will facilitate for volunteering at Gwalior,http://www.hindinj.org/resources.php
Devendra Singh, HiniNJ, USA.

I remember my time with the charity in 2006. I enjoyed working with the charity but not the travelling around afterwards. I feel charity gives a far better insight into Indian life than all the temples and palaces could ever do.** I am busy with University applications etc. at present but wish to involve with Gwalior Childrens Hospital Charity more and soon again- Leonie Duchars from Isle of Man.

A letter with appeal for help from Dr. Fehmida, Specialist in HIV/AIDS from U.S.A.
I have been an online consultant for the Gwalior Childrens Hospital

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