Sewa Cafe

Over the past six weeks I've been to the Sewa Cafe quite a few times, and each time has been very different. But I feel that every time I go I gain a better and better understanding as to what it's all about. Sewa Cafe is one of the many, many restaurants in Ahmedabad, but unlike all the others there is no fixed price- you give from the heart! T'is based on the gift economy.
Let me paint you a picture...
The first time I went to Sewa Cafe for dinner was during my first week. We got out of a rickshaw and stepped onto a bustling street, roaring with the sound of traffic. There on the other side of the street on the top most floor was Sewa Cafe and Gramshree.
Sewa Cafe is beautiful.We stepped out of the lift into the waiting area which leads to an open-roofed dining area! The contrast between the noisy street and the tranquility indoors is really striking! I shall post some pictures soon...
As we came to sit at our table we were greeted most graciously by the waiters- who are all mostly volunteers by the way- and a glass of cool FILTERED water.
Written upon a chalk board was five different dishes- which change every day. That particular time we filled our bellies with hot sweetcorn soup, biryani, pasta, panipuri and icecream, all the while soaking up the soothing ambiance created at Sewa Cafe. At the end of the meal we were given an empty envelope in which we could give as much or as little money as we wanted to, and anonymously.
So the idea is that the money you give is paid forward as a gift, i.e it pays for the next person who comes to eat at Sewa Cafe. Hence your experience at the Sewa Cafe does not simply end when you leave the restaurant; instead you become part of a never ending chain- a circle of giving. Brilliant.
                                                                                            

Gujarat Vidyapith

Exhibition within Gujarat Vidyapith

  

Finishing touches...

Warli art work

 Ok, so Gujarat Vidyapith is a university in Ahmedabad which we had a tour of during Navratri. It was founded by Mahatma Gandhi with the intention that the institution would build characters that would aid the process of regenerating the country " in accordance with the ideals given by Mahatma Gandhi."

Two students from the university, Mustukhanbhai and Santhuben, gave us a tour of the Vidyapith. As part of both of their courses they are directly involved with the practical side of social studies through their work with Manav Sadhna. How brilliant is that?!

Within the university grounds is the Tribal Research and Training Institute, of which I have taken some photos. There they had life-size depictions of the different Gujarati tribes, which showed their different attributes and specialties, their appearances, features, the tools they used etc. One of the things I learned that was really surprising was about the Siddi tribe. Their ancestors actually came from Africa to India where most were used as fighters (them being so strong) and the others settled as labourers; there to be integrated into Gujarat!

A taste of Navratri



I am so glad I came to Ahmedabad in time to experience Navratri. It's been brilliant! Here are some of the pictures I took:

Manav Sadhna goes to Vibrant Gujarat!



Garba at ESI Sugadh, Gandhinagar



Garba at the Community Centre in Rampir no Tekro (largest slum area in Ahmedabad)



Garba with sveral NGO's from Ahmedabad, including Manav Sadhna.

Maru Ghar

I'M IN AHMEDABAD!

I'm here! All is well! I arrived in Ahmedabad on Thursday 30th Setember in the sweltering heat at about 9am, and was picked up by two Manav Sadhna volunteers. Driving to the ashram was a bit of a surreal experience- Ahmedadbad really hits you in the face! Plus, I was practically half asleep, so it was in a dream-like state that I first experienced Ahmedabad.
On arrival I met Shirishbhai- I think his officical role is to coordinate the volunteers, but having been here for almost four days, I can see that there is much much more to his role. Anyway he showed me where I will be staying during my 7 weeks volunteer work with Manav Sadhna (MS). I shall put up some pictures when I can.
Anyway, after that we crossed the street to the Gandhi ashram where the volunteers meet for daily prayers at 10:45am. The prathna consists of prayers from 7 different religions- Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh, Christian, Islam... and one more, I can't remember which- sorry. This way all are welcome and its is one way of demonstrating a key value of Manav Sadhna which is to build bridges; not barriers.
Every day after prathna, the volunteers share their thoughts, read out any announcements and have various discussions. There doesn't seem to be anyone who is in charge, but they manage to work together amazingly.
There was also a chance for me to introduce myself after which there was a little welcome ceremony, which went something like this-
( I'll insert the picture soon...)
I met so many people, whose names it might take me a couple of days to remember, but one of them was Ajaybhai. He is one of the coordiantors of the community centre that is situated next to the biggest slum area in Ahmedabad. On my first morning I got the chance to go with him to have a look! Before I tell you how the community centre was, let me tell you about my first ever ride on a scooter...
Good God. I didn't know what to do with myself- I was certain I'd fall backwards of the seat on to the street, there to be trampled over by scooters, trucks, bikes and cows. But I didn't, and apart from the dust it was actually quite fun in the end.
So, the community centre has a few different rooms where children can come for classes, there is a place where working parents can leave their children ( creche?) a gym and library. It's a really beautiful place. I shall write more about it after I go agian next week.
I am sharing a house with two other girls- one is from USA and the other is from Germany.
So far I have been shown around different places, talked to lots of volunteers and have generally been observing, but tomorrow I think I will be given some responsability. There is talk of science classes, arts and crafts and a small possibility of a potential vegetable patch!
More on that later.

Preparation for India

India ....here I come!!