GNCEM

The big yellow bus rolled up outside the gates of the BMS Guest House at 8.15am. We entered wondering quite where we were supposed to sit as the seats were already overflowing with hoards of noisy children and babies. Quite quickly we realised that we just needed to literally pick a child up and plonk them on our laps!

Shouts of  'aunty aunty' and 'uncle uncle' filled the air and soon we were on our way. Some of the children appeared to be old hands at this already and had some of the biggest smiles I had ever seen. For some however it was their first time on the bus and they were naturally tears. What I found so touching was the love and care they showed to each other as there would quickly be a child ready to comfort a screaming baby. They were also quite boisterous with one another but none of them seemed to mind the rough play.

We were all quite horrified when we disembarked to discover that the babies were left on the bus to travel on to the babycare unit. Still this is India so we keep being told.

Kathy makes a new friend

On arrival the children were washed and dressed in a blue shirt and after a short play went in for their lessons.

The children lining up to be washed

There followed  a mixture of prayers, singing and lessons ( which we were privileged to take part in). The teachers whilst quite strict were extremely caring .The room was quite simply wall to wall cuteness. One little boy spent the whole time asleep under a blanket. He had a fever and looked quite unwell. They gave him medicine however I think he was oblivious to everything going on around him. This was a stark reminder of how fortunate we are in the UK.

Me teaching the children their ABCs

After a quick snack lessons continued and then it was playtime!

The children loved interacting with us and I loved my time spent with them. They seemed so happy.  The fact they were grubby and a bit rough round the edges didn't matter. They were just beautiful!

Soon it was lunch time and the children sat in a big circle outside and were served large servings of curry and rice. This would probably be their last meal of the day.

We got back on the bus and I for one felt so much love for these grubby, noisy, boisterous but enchanting children. I felt quite sad to leave them on the bus knowing they would be going back to the slums. They would be back at GNCEM the next day though!

GNCEM stands for Good News Childrens Education Mission.