Social responsibility

For many in our group this was the most exciting day of the tour, filled with children, laughter, singing, dancing, music, and tiling in 100% humidity.

After a three hour bus trip through Kerala’s busy streets into the rural green countryside full of pineapple plantations and seeping rubber trees, it was our privilege to visit a wee school in Thodupuzha to listen, learn, tile, and help with forming the school’s new smart technology classroom.

Aided by generous donations and social responsibility, we came to make a difference and left feeling like we were the ones privileged by the caring generous school and its community.

We knew "action" would be on the agenda when our bus arrived to the sound of thrashing drums played by four local boys. Walking off the bus we entered crowds of parents, teachers and children - each carrying the most exquisite and colourful umbrellas.

After sandalwood paste was applied to our foreheads (a tradition) we walked to the school through the drumming, the children, and the community.

The school, located next to the small convent was made up of a few simple buildings, one full of classrooms and the other a hall. As we were ushered into the hall we were each provided a freshly cut coconut with a straw.

The school had prepared two local children to sing for us; one in English, and the other in Indian.

We were incredibly fortunate to also watch a traditional dance performed in the most amazing and colourful costume, and later found out this event had made the local TV and papers.

As the celebrations came to an end, many of us bundled into one of the classrooms to begin tiling, all of us clearly wanting to contribute no matter how "uncoordinated" our abilities were.

A feast was provided of beautiful local food prepared and arranged by many of the community. This provided the perfect amount of energy to get our through the two hours of teaching, singing, playing with the children.

Having discussed and reflected on the views of our MBA class, it’s clear we each have our own insights. The community, the children and the local nuns beautifully reinforced our view that this culture is about the people and their kind spirit.

Our often-materialistic perspectives stripped away to appreciate and reflect on the humbleness of the experience and the people.

This was an amazing day and an incredible experience that I’m sure none of us will ever forget.