Sundays are sacred….the lie-ins, the trashy TV, the unhealthiest fry up brunch imaginable and the list could go on…!!  However, this Sunday is going to be different.  You all know why – as I think I’ve made enough of a song and dance about it!!

As promised, I write with an update of my travels to the Mumbai Cheshire Home.  I returned last night; and as ever, Mumbai intrigues, excites and sometimes even manages to delight.  My visit to the Mumbai Cheshire Home is an experience I will cherish for the rest of my days.  I had the great opportunity of visiting the Home and its lovely residents, some of whom have been there for some 30 years.  The staff, including the chairman Mr P.M John, were very warm and welcoming.  I visited the physiotherapy unit where members of the local community would visit at no fee for physio services.  I visited a children’s prep class where disabled children were being trained for schooling into main stream education with other children.  I then visited a local school where I met with some of the teachers to see how they thought the inclusive education model was working and what challenges they faced.  I met some disabled children at that school and they appeared proud (yet shy).  I then had lunch with the lovely Sisters of the Missionaries of Christ and was astounded by the wonderful work they do at the Cheshire Home and elsewhere. 

The next stage of my tour took me to 3 separates slums of Mumbai.  I first met Chanda, one of happiest girls I have ever met.  Chanda has mobility issues and can not walk.  She uses her hands to slide herself across the small room where she and her mum live.  She can not come to the children’s prep class regularly because there are accessibility issues from the slums to the Cheshire Home (i.e a wheel chair can not go through the tiny alley ways of the slums).  She is now too big to be carried.  She flashed the biggest smile when I have her a small chocolate bar, a book and a pencil.  She asked me to bring an eraser and a sharper next time.  I then met numerous other children, all with disability, and spoke to their mums about the challenges they faced.   I neither had answers nor solutions.  All I had was a chocolate bar for their children.

For them, I shall run 13 miles on Sunday.  For those who have already sponsored me, I hope you can see the good work your kind donations will be used towards.  For those who wish to sponsor me, you can do so from my Just Giving link below.  As promised, I have added some photographs from Mumbai for you.

Best wishes,