First day in Delhi

We arrived in Delhi at 2am this morning, and by the time we reached the hotel we were all understandably shattered. Fortunately Jenny and Kris had left the day for us to recuperate before starting work, and we were able to sleep for a while before heading off to play tourists in Delhi – visiting Delhi Gate, the Red Fort and Humayun’s tomb.

The team at play!

So we had a gentle introduction to our week, and a gentle introduction to Delhi. That is if you can have a gentle introduction to Delhi – there is so much going on, so many contrasts. We drove through the affluence of Chanakyapuri to the crush and congestion of Old Delhi. We saw the grandeur of the diplomatic district and the squalor that the “countryside people” (as our driver called them) live in. We laughed at the seeming chaos on the roads around the Red Fort before enjoying the calm and beautiful order of Humayun’s tomb. The air pollution was worse than I remember, but the smiles are beautiful, and the smells, colours, and noise are exciting and exhausting in equal measure. It’s good to be back!

Now we need to start work and tomorrow we will visit the Save the Children office before going to South Delhi to see a project which helps the urban poor through access to basic hygienic sanitation services. Put simply, provision of basic toilet facilities can have a significant impact for these impoverished communities, allowing children to survive longer and stay healthier. I know all of the team are anxious to see how Save the Children work with the local communities to make this happen. At the end of all our preparation, and after the long journey from the UK, tomorrow promises to be a fascinating day.