I’m Sabina White, 17 years old and currently in my second year at the Sixth Form at St Joan of Arc studying Philosophy and Ethics, Media and English Literature. I hope to go on to a Social Work course at university when this year is complete. I’m also a twin!rn rnUdayan has been a constant aspect of life at St Joan’s since I’ve joined the school, not just in the Sixth Form, and as I’ve learnt more and more about it I have become increasingly interested in seeing it for myself. Joining the pilgrimage through India to Udayan became an opportunity I was determined to grasp. I am incredibly grateful to be offered the chance to travel to India with Mrs Weldon and the team on a trip that I know will provide me with life changing experiences. rn rnI can’t believe the trip is only around the corner as I’ve been looking forward to it for such a long time and now my bags are packed! I am excited about seeing first hand the rich culture India has to offer. I am especially excited about our stay at Udayan where we will meet the children and be able to offer some form of service to them.rn
Watford supporter, former RAF Officer, one-time hospice nurse, mother of 3, teacher of Religious Studies, Psychology and Business Studies.rnrnFirst visited India as a child then later when in the RAF. Returned six years ago on the first Udayan visit and delighted to be taking the forth group of sixth formers to India particularly as I am now the UK Coordinator for Friends of Udayan.
I’m Dominic and am a former pupil of St Joan of Arc sixth form where I studied Business, Music and English literature. I’m currently working in a pub which I enjoy while trying to find internships in record labels. rnrnDuring my time at St Joan’s I heard a lot about the school’s work with Udayan and the numerous fundraising activities that take place. By the time I arrived in the sixth form and had Caroline as both a form and subject tutor my interest in the project grew. When the opportunity to go on this unique trip came along I saw it as a great way both to do something worthwhile at Udayan and fulfill a desire of mine to travel through India. rnrnBy going on this trip I believe I will gain a valuable new outlook on life and on the world, and experience a culture shock to an extent I have never known before. Furthermore, I am very much looking forward to going to Udayan itself and learning from the work there while hopefully being able to give something to the children. rnrnI am also thinking of purchasing a Sitar.rn
Kathryn Spink was born in the Himalayas and as the author of biographies of Mother Teresa, Dom Bede Griffiths, Little Sister Magdeleine of Jesus and others associated with the subcontinent, has been travelling to India for research purposes for longer than she cares to acknowledge! She is also the translator from French into English of Dominique Lapierre’s international best-seller, “City of Joy”. It was through her friendship with Dominique that she first became involved with Udayan and, together with her husband, formed the “Friends of Udayan”. In 2005, 2007 and 2009 she accompanied the group from Saint Joan of Arc School to assist with her knowledge of India and introduce them to contacts and friends along the way. She is the managing trustee of “Dominique Lapierre City of Joy Aid, England”, the umbrella charity with responsibility not only for Udayan but also for numerous other centres of humanitarian aid in and around Kolkata. In addition to again providing experienced support for the group, her purpose this time, as on previous occasions, is to visit some of these centres on behalf of the charity.
I’m Beverley Schramm and have been teaching French at St Joan’s since April 1998. Before that, when I was mainly at home with our three children I sometimes came to school to help out as a supply teacher in the MFL dept as my husband, Nick, has been Head of MFL for the last 22 years.rn rnOnce Caroline and I were chatting at the photocopier and I said that if ever I could help at Udayan she only had to ask.rn rnAfter the second pilgrimage to India she approached me and said that James and Bivash were desperate to get spoken English going at Udayan because it made such a difference to the kids’ job prospects. Would I be interested? Of course I said ‘yes’! rn rnSince then I have made many friends at Udayan, visiting for three weeks in 2009 when I set up the spoken English project with Bivash and the staff. I then returned for two and a half weeks in 2010 to refresh and reinforce the project including training some of the older students to take small conversation groups with younger students.rn rnI love Udayan, the children and staff and I’m so looking forward to returning, especially as this time it will be with Caroline, Chris, Dominic, Camilla, Sabina, Joe, Jamie and Shaunagh. rn rnIt will also be wonderful for me to see some sights of India this time as it will give me plenty of inspiration for topics for conversation classes with the staff and older students at Udayan and an insight into Indian culture beyond West Bengal.rn rnLast year as part of the spoken English project we put on a production of the ‘Very Hungry Caterpillar’ which was great fun! So this time I have some plans for a new production… rn rnWatch this space!rn
Hi, I’m Jamie. I’m currently finishing off my last A-level at Joan of Arc, Media Studies, having already completed my Psychology and Business Studies A-levels. As well as this I’m working full-time at a local pub and will hopefully be going to university to study Advertising and Marketing.rnrnUdayan became a constant thought throughout my school life as there was never a fundraiser very far away. In years 10 and 11 Mrs Weldon became my form tutor and I became more aware of the work of Udayan because of this. My interest in Udayan grew and in year 12 I decided to put my name forward for this very trip. Not long after, yet another fundraiser had been arranged and I was keen to go as it was just after the last trip and we would find out about that group’s experience. After this evening I knew I wanted to go, the experiences the group talked of sounded amazing and some of the video footage shown really blew me away, especially the smiles on all of the children’s faces. I hope to gain the experience of a lifetime from this trip and provide the children of Udayan with as much happiness and joy as I can. rnrnNow, with not long left to go, I cannot wait to get out there to experience what I am sure will be a mind-blowing two and a half weeks and see those smiles in person.rn
I first became involved in Udayan at its first fundraising event at St Joan’s, Light Music and Eats 2004, whilst running the school’s technical support team. Further down the line I became more involved with other assemblies and events related to Udayan. On hearing Mrs Weldon talking so passionately about the work of the home I became hooked on Udayan. Whilst in the Sixth Form I was Deputy Head Boy and encouraged the senior prefect team to play an active role in organising the Sixth Form Charity Week in 2006. The team proposed to the school council that St Joan’s should make Udayan a whole school charity, and this was adopted in 2007. rn rnIt was in 2007 that I was privileged to be on the second trip to Udayan along with seven other sixth formers, Miss Devlin, Mrs Weldon and Kathryn Spink. We had a great time whilst in India but at the same time witnessed some very moving scenes which really made me appreciate how lucky we are. The time at Udayan went very quickly, and I have many fond memories of the children. rn rnUpon leaving St Joan’s in 2007, Mrs Weldon asked if I would become the Friends of Udayan Secretary, and having been truly touched by the visit and the children, I immediately accepted the role. Being the secretary has allowed me to stay in touch with the progress Udayan is making and how St Joan’s funds are spent.rn rnHaving just finished a degree in accounting and finance at the University of Kent in the summer of 2010 I recognised what a great opportunity it would be to return to India. It will be wonderful to visit Udayan again and see the progress that has been made in the past four years, as well as to spend many more hours with the children both in class and during their recreation time. We are also looking to capture lots of video footage of the children to provide material for our forthcoming Udayan events and on our websites: www.friendsofudayan.co.uk and www.joa-udayan.co.uk. rn rnWhen we return, I look forward to sharing my experiences of the trip and of Udayan with those who have previously been there, with friends, family, and in presentations and assemblies with Mrs Weldon as we continue to raise awareness of Udayan and its needs.rn
My name is Camilla and I am currently studying two languages, French and Italian. I love learning languages and travelling to new and exciting places which is why I am so looking forward to visiting India! After the sixth form I am going to study in Oxford to do a PA course and with that I am hoping to work in Italy, France and possibly other countries!rn rnUdayan has always been a huge part of the school and I have known about the trip ever since year 8 when I first came to St Joan of Arc. I have always said that I want to go to Udayan and here I am ready to go! At first it seemed unlikely that I would be able to go because the team had been selected and there were no places left. However, when one of the group dropped out Mrs Weldon gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to join the party, and for that I extremely grateful.rn rnI know that this trip will change me in some way and make me more aware of what is going on in the world. I hope that when I visit Udayan I can be of help, and share my joy of being there with all the children and the rest of my group. I am really looking forward to the whole experience.rn
My name is Shaunagh Dunlop and I am at present studying English Literature, History and Art at St Joan of Arc sixth form. I am so looking forward to my trip to Udayan. It is with excitement and also a touch of nervousness as I have never travelled further than Europe before! But I really value the wonderful privilege I have been given to experience and witness the lives, cultures and faiths in India. I also value the opportunity to see what it is that has inspired our school and past pupils to support Udayan and all the good work they do for the children. I look forward to spending time there with the children, playing with them and helping with their lessons.
My name’s Joe, I’m 17 years old and currently in my second year at the Sixth Form at St Joan of Arc studying Music and Music Technology. I play a little guitar and I sing. Music is a big part of my life and I hope to carry it on into the future Udayan has been a focal point at St Joan’s since I joined the school. I went to my first India fundraiser in year 7. It was a barn dance!rnrnThrough the many fundraisers I’ve attended I have grown more and more interested about Udayan and its amazing story, and about India itself. I am extremely grateful for being allowed to come along with Mrs Weldon and the gang to experience it first hand.rnrnThe last year has gone so quickly and I now can’t wait to get on the plane and jet off. I reckon I’ll find it hard at first being away from my friends and all, but it is a challenge I’m ready to face and we have a great group going.rnrnI’m hoping to really take in the whole spirituality of the journey and of the people I meet, maybe even get some song inspiration as I’m bringing my guitar along for the ride too!rn