Project Sikkim

1st December 2009 to 15th December 2009

Sikkim, India

Earlier in September, I went on the recce trip and eventually after a couple of months of preparation, I'm back here again like I've said. But this time, leading another Youth Expedition Project (YEP) team consisting of 6 Singapore Rovers and 2 Maldives Rovers, as part of their Scouts of the World Award (SWA) Voluntary Service project. The Maldivians (Zau and Ashraf) were with us as they had also attended the SWA Discovery Workshop back in October, and since they were interested - why not? And boy it was hell lot of fun!

The mission of this YEP was to help Polestar English School in improving their studying environment. We had Jeremy Chan with us and he is our architect. He designed an sheltered extension for the building and that's what we got to build in just seven days! Plus we were using tradition materials (to retain the culture) infused with modern methods (use of concrete), which is something never tried before. And we would also have a couple of days to spare and help Kolbung Primary School by giving them a fresh coat of white paint inside the classroom to help brighten it up.

The trip began with a late night flight to Delhi whereby the Singapore team had to sleep over at the domestic airport while waiting for the Maldivians (who arrived much earlier and got themselves a proper hotel... damn!) and the connecting flight to Bagdogra. Once again with the assistance of Jet Airways, the travel was smooth. In Bagdogra, we were picked up by Bhaskar (our guide whom I met during the recce trip before) as Raj (who is the owner of HelpTourism and an influential man) was away. We began our trip to Darjeeling and stayed overnight there so that we could purchase all the necessary logisitic we required for the rest of the trip. We also visited the Darjeeling Zoo and the Himalaya Mountaineering Institute for some presentation on the conservation and outreach work they do. And I so miss the fireplace found in each room of the Swiss Hotel there! Gives you a comforting warmth in the freezing winter!

Off we headed to Hee Bermiok on the third day and as expected, we were warmly greeted by the staff and students of the school. They had specially gathered just for us as it so happens to be their vacation period. Grateful of the hospitality extended, we knew we had to complete the extension within seven days. Before we know it, we began work almost immediately. The following days were incredibly enjoyable with some of the teachers and students coming everyday to help and even cook our lunch. We had so much fun with them amidst all the work, and it took off some of the stress we had. There were definitely some hiccups - missing bolts, wrong bamboo screen, not enough materials and so on. But what are Scouts for? We improvised and eventually the team got much more things done than we planned. We transferred the florescent tubes down to the basement to provide lighting for the classes down there, built a new toilet on the ground floor, constructed railings for the stair case, innovated new screens for the shelter and installed wooden boards/partitions for the shelter. Phew! All was done in the nick of time, and everyone was happy - especially the teachers and students.

On the second last day, the teachers and students had organised a special picnic for the team in order to thank us for all the things we have done for them. This was one hell of a picnic setting - right in the middle of a harvested rice field with the mountains in distant background with food, dance and games. Woot! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it! 

It was then time to part after we completed our work there at the end of seven days. Tough  bidding farewell for everyone had enjoyed each others' company for the past few days. Eventually some tears were inevitable as we continued on our journey to Neora Valley.

Upon arriving at Neora Valley, bad news descended almost immediately. Due to some political issues, a strike was set to take place in a couple of days time. Having said that, our stay at Neora Valley had to be shortened to ensure our safety and unfortunately plans for the school had to be rushed. 

The team headed down to the school the very next day, with one half taking a stroll and the other in the van. Ironically, both groups arrived at the school at the same time and just like in Polestar, a warm welcome was awaiting us. After a quick discussion with the headmaster and he being aware of the strike, didn't hold us back from starting the work and offered all the help we needed. The team split up - one team to keep the students occupied with activities and games while the other began with the paint job of the classroom interior. And we also added a mural along the side of the building together with a quote from Mahamat Ghandi. 

No thanks to the winter season, the paint job wasn't easy especially for the mural. Plus the school building was wooden and had to be sand down. We could only pray hard and hope that everything will be done by noon the next day as we only had that much time. Once again, the team made it happened. A white coat covers the whole interior of the classroom and a beautiful mural of the mountains graced the side of the building. Another great job done by the team despite working against time.

Saying our goodbyes again, but this time it was for real as we rushed down the mountains to the city area to avoid the strike. There we spent our last night before catching our flight back to Delhi. But the adventure doesn't end there - well at least not for the Maldivians. They missed their connecting flight back home due to the delay of the domestic flight, and we hastily tried to make good of the remaining possible flights for them. After tons of calls and communication with Jet Airways, the duo eventually made it on a flight to Mumbai and then a connecting back home. The Singapore team then had a great night rest at the hotel and subsequently landed back home safely. 

For the team, it was an unforgettable experience and many would want to return. Perhaps very much allured by the people and the beauty of the Himalayas. Well, I am.