Pune 2023 - Snehalaya

During our brief but spellbinding visit to Snehalaya in Ahmednagar (more of which in a moment), I was talking to the wonderful Nick, one of the duo of British expats with whom we were privileged to spend time there, about the experience of India. We concluded that India is something that happens to you. Let me explain: as a result of previous trips and in preparation for this one I have trotted out the cliché that India is an assault on the senses. Some clichés, however annoying, are handy because they are true and this is the case here. Little can ready you for the riot of colour, sounds, smells, sights and flavours that assails you when you encounter this country for the first time (and indeed the subsequent ones). Today was our second and final day at Snehalaya, a charity to whose work with women and children affected by sex work and associated violence I cannot do justice in a short blog, and once again India left us reeling. Along with Nick, Joyce Connolly, a former LBU colleague who has given up the comfortable trappings of Leeds for a hot, dusty corner of Maharashtra and the often overwhelming challenge of helping those that have experienced unimaginable trauma, provided our students with a unique opportunity.

Across two days the students have provided sport and wellbeing opportunities for the residents at Snehalaya. As is so often the case with India, their carefully-laid plans had to be flexed, modified and morphed into something different. And as is so often the case with Carnegie students, they delivered in grand style. We had been warned by Joyce and Nick of the likely emotional impact, even during such a short visit. The kids responded instantly to the presence of our students, fascinated by the skin, hair, jewellery and every other aspect of these exotic visitors. The programme, planned by the four Sport Development students in our contingent, incorporated cricket, football, volleyball, Zumba and even colouring, but not in the way originally intended as it was clear the Snehalaya kids were up for informality rather than organisation. Some of our students did get to support a PE lesson today, and this was the closest thing to a structured session over the two days. Rather than our own state-of-the-art facilities, activities took place in whatever space happened to be available, so dust, rocks, mud and tiles replaced the lavish surfaces we enjoy at Headingley Campus. It didn’t matter, any more than the limited equipment mattered. What mattered was our students’ ingenuity and commitment as they bridged language and cultural differences to connect with the kids. (If you want a potentially life-changing volunteering opportunity, take a look at Snehalaya.)

To cap an unforgettable day we were the guests of Shalini and Debraj, the Directors of ISMS, in their beautiful apartment, Yes, they invited fourteen students and two staff to their home. Some participated in home cooking, some watched a thrilling IPL game over a beer or two and others enjoyed chat and hospitality. A typically diverse, colourful and memorable Indian experience at the end of a magical day.