Hello from
Udaipur
This is
going to be a very short blog as we are about to leave Udaipur for our five
year compulsory visit to the UK. You are only allowed to stay for five years
before having to reapply for a new visa, so we are returning in a couple of
days.
It is going
to be frantic, reapplying for visa’s, getting biometrics done as it is now
compulsory for our type of visa (employment).
We have
very little in the way of fixed plans but have a few places to go to on our way
up the country from Tunbridge Wells, Kent. We are going via Stafford, York,
Durham, Bishop Auckland, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Holy Island, but not
necessarily in that order.
We look
forward to catching up with family and friends, but as we are only planning to
be there for four weeks we may not get to see everyone unfortunately. We plan
to visit Emmanuel at least once to give an update on Geeta and to catch up with
everyone. Alas as we arrive in the UK Alan, Lesley and Richard are coming to
Udaipur.
Given the
choice we would not return as Udaipur is our home now but we are looking
forward to eating some of the things we’ve missed and going to the jazz bar in
Edinburgh.
We have
Geeta being looked after here by her mother and her aunt Amba whilst we are
away and they will take care of the dogs, chickens and garden too.
Update on
Geeta
Geeta’s arm
continues to recover from the skin grafts but we still have a long way to go,
she is however continuing with the active and passive exercises Kris has taught
her, she has some more movement as the swelling diminishes, but still nothing
in her little finger. She is more confident of using that arm and hand to carry
things and her strength has increased immensely. She is so proud that she can
do things and is not in constant pain now, only if she knocks the arm hard and
even then it’s still nothing compare to the agony she went through for two
years.
Chris and I
were talking the other day and can’t believe that this is the same child who
nearly died and is now so active and growing well, more new clothes needed as
she has grown out of those I previously got her. She came to us with nothing
other than what she was wearing and she was so frail having to be carried
everywhere. It’s been a year this month that she came into our lives and we
will never be the same again.
School
Well she
has now started private tuition to get her up to speed she has three years to
catch up with. She goes six days a week Sunday being her day off its God’s day.
She is doing English, Maths and Hindi and she really doesn’t like Hindi but
talking to friends with kids they all say the kids hate the Hindi. She gets
homework every day and we insist she does it when she comes in from school as
leaving it did not work. She amazed both of us yesterday by just getting her
books out and starting her homework without being told to, long may it
continue.
Geeta knows
that we are going to England and whilst she is not happy has accepted it so
long as we keep in touch via video calls.
Update on
Chris
Well he’s
recovered from the kidney problems they seem to think it was due to his
previous kidney failure when he had multi organ failure with the malaria a few
years ago so we just have to be vigilant that he doesn’t get malaria again. I
told him three times is enough for anyone.
Breaking
news
When we
return to India in October we will be working for a new employer Peoples
Education and Development Organisation (PEDO) they are based in Dungarpur and
do amazing work so we are really excited and thrilled to be joining them. PEDO
are a well known and established NGO and have a great reputation. They have
several projects we are passionate about including extensive work on water
conservation and infrastructure. We were already admirers of some of their work,
so when this opportunity arose we could not let it go. We will continue to live
in Udaipur and travel to Dungarpur as necessary, a lot of the work we will be
doing from Udaipur so that really suits us as we have commitments here and did
not wish to move.
We are sad
to leave the college but felt we needed a new challenge although we will miss
the students and that kind of teaching.
We usually
write the blog in the last week but time has compressed us as we fly in two
days
So this is
short and sweet sorry no photos this month but next month should be
interesting.
Take care
and God Bless
Chris and
Kris in rainy Udaipur
