Alex’s unforgettable passage to India

A CULCHETH girl is back home after taking part in a Girlguiding trip to India.
Alex Heald, a member of the 7th Culcheth Senior Section was part of the NWE Guiding Overseas Linked with Development (GOLD) trip to the sub-continent.
It started with a sight-seeing weekend in Delhi where the party saw the Taj Mahal and experienced many other things including an unforgettable  ride in a powered rickshaw.
They then went to Jodhpur where we stayed for most of the trip, travelling by jeep every weekday morning to a local school to work on a project
Alex said: “As a team we sanded, sawed, drilled, screwed and painted to create 14 desks and 14 benches for the children to use. As well as this, some members helped with the plumbing of a toilet so that there was a sink and running water.
“Inside the classroom we designed and painted a mural to brighten up the room and help the children learn some English.
“The afternoons were spent on tours where we would see a lot of the history through temples and forts as well as having a quick camel safari, a zip wire and a weekend trip to Jaipur for an elephant ride and a Bollywood film in an Indian cinema!”
After two weeks they moved on to the Sangam World Centre for two nights where they experienced different Indian crafts like henna, Bollywood dancing, traditional painting and games.
They then made a last stop in Mumbai before heading home.
Alex added: “It really was a truly amazing experience that I’m sure none of us will forget – although we have had enough curry to last a life time!
“I feel privileged to have been selected to go on this trip and have been sharing my experiences with anyone and everyone who is willing to listen.”