Biodiesel

Vikasana is in the progress of setting up Jatropha plants, as a source of biodiesel.
I am currently writing about it on the vikasana website, here.

We are looking for volunteers who might be keen to raise some money, or to travel to India and do the implementation.

If you are at all interested in helping out with this project or any other Vikasana activities, email me at chrissie@vikasana.net. I can answer any questions or enquiries you may have.

I think I am finally getting the hang of Dreamweaver.

Madesha

There is a new page up on the Vikasana website about a farmer named Madesh.
Check it out here.

It's surprising how simple it is to use Blogger in comparison to things like Dreamweaver.

3 Idiots

Yesterday I got a phone call from a cafe near my house. I went in straight away for a job trial. I went in again today and now I have a one month trial. (Don't worry, Im getting paid). And I still have my job trial at Red Olive on Thursday night.

Last night I watched the Indian move "3 Idiots".

I have been speaking with Rachitha, an Indian from Bangalore and she reccomended the movie.

It was really funny. The subtitles were really dodgy though so I found it a bit difficult to follow in parts and I probably missed out on half of the jokes.

You should see it, if you're in the mood for Bollywood. But definately make sure your copy has decent subtitles. I suppose the majority of people shopping in an Indian grocery store understand Hindi, making the subtitles unimportant...

Anyway, the songs are really catchy. My favourite is called Zoobi Doobi. Check it out here on youtube. And if you want the translation then go here.

Fair Enough

On Thursday I am going to start co ordinating a fair trade website, where you can buy things made by the people in Mandya.

Once I've got the site up and running I'll post the link here.

The website will mainly sell the dolls seen below as well as clothing. I just love the delicate detail that the Indian villagers put into their work.

I'm very excited (although I try not to be in case it doesn't work out), but I have a job trial at Red Olive, a pizza restaurant on Thursday, and I have another trial some time this week at a children's party place. I really hope I get these jobs so that I can start saving up for my trip to India. And so I can stop relying on my parents for money. I try to tidy the house and mow the lawn as much as possible in return.

I've been reading Shantaram, and I'm about half way through. I'm really enjoying it, and although it is taking me a long time to read, I don't mind. It's one of those books that you really enjoy reading, but aren't in a desperate hurry to finish. I'd be quite content if it doesn't actually finish.

Dear readers,

I would like to ask if any of you have travel advice? It would be very helpful.

I can't wait until I'm actually in India, so I am able to post photos of my own. The thought of all the colour and the spices and the head wobbling takes me away from my current situation of being unemployed.

Trade Your Kid

Before you get worried, Trade Your Kid isn't what it sounds like.

Children aren't actually swapped. Instead, knowlege of cultures are swapped, so that misbehaving spoilt western children can see into the world of an orphan.

Trade Your Kid is also another part of Vikasana that raises money for the children in an orphange in Karnataka.

You can get letters to show your children, from kids in third world countries. This can show western children how fortunate they are.

Kannada

Kannada is a language spoken in Karnataka, Bangalore, Mysore and Hampi.
It is also the language spoken in the village I will be volunteering in. So I have decided to teach myself some Kannada before my trip. At the moment I am using this website.

The Damned Rain

To get a better idea of what farming is like in India, I suggest watching the movie "The Damned Rain".

It follows a family in their struggles of farming, waiting for the mansoon rain.