Archive for June, 2011

Here are just a few of the delicious slogans painted onto the rocks on the side of the roads in the Indian Himalayas. They come courtesy of the Border Road Oragnisation (BRO), who presumably have a team of script-writers working hard to secure the safety and moral upliftment of drivers. (I have resisted the temptation to correct the English):

-Peep! Peep! Don’t sleep.

-If you are married to speed, divorce it!

-Drive like hell, and you’ll be there!

-Fast drive. Last drive.

-We are like you but not your speed (sic)

-Be soft on my curves.

-Safety bring cheers. Speed bring tears.

-Speed thrills but kills.

-This is a highway not a runway.

-Either drink or drive.

-If you are sleeping your family is weeping.

-The journey of life is long and the path unknown.

-No race. No rally. Enjoy the valley.

-Better to late than early to heaven (sic)

-Hug your children at home, but belt them in the car.

-Alert
Avoid
 Accident

-The hills are barren, lovely and steep and I have ,miles to go before I sleep.

-Tell them when you go home
That we greened the hills today
For your tomorrow

And the best of all:
-Be mister late, not late mister.

I felt comfortable with the organisation. I like the “tailor made” aspect and the fact that I didn’t give vast amounts of money to cover obscure admin costs (as is the case with many other gap year/volunteer organisations). I liked the way I was able to build my own trip and to volunteer my skills in an area which means alot to me.(Chris Olney, Gyan Jyoti school, West Bengal: 2011)

HELP is a hugely admirable organisation in that it focuses much more on those actually requiring help, as opposed to the volunteers. Other organisations I have seen are set up as charity holiday camps, catering for the volunteer’s every need and providing a very simple, pleasant, but ultimately false experience. Volunteering with HELP is the real deal. (Cathal Hardiman, Mount Star Academy, West Bengal:2011)