The villagers of Kebepura were originally nomadic honey and food gatherers from the forest, but since the village was created 20 years ago their livelihood has changed to subsistence farming and from what I can see from the surrounding fields, tobacco, cotton and bananas. We live in the local school which serves about 80 children from Kebepura and the surrounding villages. The venturers sleep in a classroom, whilst us PMs (Antje, Helen, Zoe and I) have a tent in the playground.
Arrival in Kebepura is I think a bit of a shock to all of us, as the accommodation is pretty basic and the shower and toilets, shared with the school children, need a good clean. We are a source of attraction to the children from the moment we arrive - obviously we aren't going to get much privacy here!
However once we have cleaned and settled in to a routine of building, life becomes easier and I realise what a privilege it is to be part of the everyday life of this village which is far from the usual tourist trail.
More posts to follow, but some particular memories stand out...
- Puruti - who gives me flowers for my hair everyday, despite the fact I'm often covered in cement
- Playing skipping with the school girls and learning their dance 'Matanara'
- Relaxing in the forest clearing on the edge of the village, just beyond the elephant fence, where the village boys play cricket
- Walking down to the temple on the edge of the village to watch the sunset with Zoe
- Going on an even longer walk with Antje, getting semi-lost and collecting 3 children, a dog and 2 cows en route.
- Working with the masons, particularly Muddu (aka Mr Pink) and Shivu
- Getting to know our Alpha 1 group, learning to step back and let them get on with it, and everything coming together at the end
2 comments:
Wow! The village life sounds an amazing experience....looking forward to hearing all about it. Thinking of you, lots of love, Sian xx
This is what Raleigh gives you that you'd never get on your own - glad you experienced it. It is awesome.
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