celebrations and friends

January has been a busy month, not least with the visit of Judith, Angela and Ismay. They will be adding their own impressions in the next post. The rooms were ready in time and it has been such fun to stay here in Sneha Deepam as well as having the honour of being the first faculty to do so. Huge thanks to Rena, Hamilton and the team for working some miracles and making all this happen. This is a now a beautiful building and will be a great resource for the future. We wish God's blessings on all that is done here - both in training but also in the care of patients when the hospice opens.

I was also able to visit Calicut briefly, to see old friends and do a little teaching. Judith was able to se old friends and help with training. Ismay, Shakila and Angela had an opportunity to see the amazing community networks. Then it was off to Chennai to attend a wedding. Kalpena used to be involved in running the service in Calicut and it was so lovely to be invited to her son's wedding. Great too to be with old friends Chitra, Gayathri and Mallika; and to dress up for the occasion.

Burn's night was celebrated on the 27th of January - perhaps for the first time in Vellore. What an occasion! Haggis from Scotland plunged with a carved Rajestani dagger , tartan capped nurses singing 'Donald where's yoor troosers', home made oatcakes, a wee dram, ceilidh dancing and great fun!!! Thanks to all who were brave enough to come and join in the celebrations to make a Scottish lass feel at home.