Visit to Athidiya

Wednesday 3rd August
We had a very interesting morning as Sister showed us around some of the houses in Athidyia. It gave us an insight into everyday life there and it was an opportunity we would never have had normally. Everyone was very pleased to see us and Sister in particular. The first family we visited were very welcoming. We met a mother who had lost her leg due to diabetes and she told us that the nutritionists (Kiran and Bavana, who visited the Asha projects with Steve in March) had come to speak to her about diet and how to control her diabetes. Although it was quite shocking to think that poor diet had partly caused her to lose her leg, it was also good to know that the nutritionists had been helpful to her.
Sister explained to us how the houses now were now all permanent structures and all had bathrooms. We saw some houses with two storeys which people had built. We met a family where the mother had been working as a maid in Saudi for two years and the money from this had paid for an extension to their house. Although the housing is better than the make shift shanties they are still very basic by our standards, with a lot of people all living in one room and very cramped. The canal which runs alongside the housing is filthy and floods regularly.
Finally we went back to the community centre where a special needs play club was taking place. Four children with special needs came to visit and play with the toys. This club is in its early stages and is hopefully something that will continue and grow. There is obviously a need for developing provision for children with special needs and their families.
We had such an interesting day and are very grateful to Sister for showing us around.

Jane

PS. A special thanks to Katharine Egerton for all her help with visiting families and arranging the session at the centre for a few of the disabled young people in the patch. Katharine has become a great friend to Asha, she presently works in Brent (NHS) and has been very open and willing to share her knowledge and skills with us. Thanks Katharine your a star!!