Longitude Blog

Although it was only yesterday that we received what I believe to be the world's warmest welcome, I can easily say that this won't be my last visit to GP village.  As I write this, I'm sitting with Prasanthi, the woman with the very important job of tutoring the village children and keeping track of their school attendance. As she helps me pronounce "Gummallapadu" for the millionth time to the soundtrack of children shouting and plaster being flung onto walls, I already feel like we know each other.

The morning started out with promise of a  full healthy group, but sadly, two of our group members, Michelle and Claire, had to go to the hospital for stomach problems.  It isn't truly a trip to India until you have some form of Delhi Belly. Upon our arrival at the work site, we divided up into much smaller groups.  After two days of laying bricks and cement, the walls of the house next to the community center needed to dry before proceeding to the next stage.

Longitude's Building Communities program which Ravi and his Association of Relief Volunteers (ARV) have created, has so much to offer to the Dalit community. The villagers are provided with stable, long-term homes and the education to fight for greater recognition and support from their government. Ravi's continuing commitment to the Dalit community is my reason for returning to Gummallapadu village. This time around, we are very fortunate to be joined by so many new volunteers.

After the longest train ride of our lives, due to the current political situation in Hyderabad, we finally arrived safely in Eluru yesterday morning. It's been surreal being back here just six months later. Even though we're staying in the same place, it feels so different with a different group of people. Jonathan and I, who have visited Gummallapadu (GP) once before, were so excited to see all our friends in the village.

It's late and I'm awake. I'm lying in bed thinking about the second Rhode Island student-- another 12-year-old suburban girl-- to die of the H1N1 flu virus in the last two weeks.

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