Page 35 - The Old Ratcliffian 2011

The Old Ratcliffan 2011 | Old Ratcliffan news everywhere we went, sometimes with spice capital of the world. We stayed dishes. Somehow, though, the spices curiosity (where on earth did these overnight in houseboats, enjoying don’t seem combine in quite the same strange creatures come from with the peace and calm of the Quilon way at home. How can you recapture their funny hats and smart bikes... backwaters to end our trip in Varkala the sensuous pleasure of eating and why?). Along the way, we thrived – a smaller, more laid-back version of freshly caught local fish, cooked to on our rides in the searing heat and Goa ten years ago. perfection in banana leaves, in the indulged in Abhyangam massages to Kerala means ‘the land of coconuts’. warmth of a moonlit evening on top restore our weary limbs. We visited It’s not surprising that the soft of the Varkala’s cliffs whilst sipping Cochin Fort, meticulously restored a bottle of cold local beer? Try as to capture the diverse European sweetness of coconut milk, mixed you might, it just doesn’t work architectural influences of the trading with a variety of local spices such in Streatham.” nations who once made Cochin the as ginger, cardamon, tumeric and cinnamon dominate so many Keralan Tilinanu in 2011 more. It was amazing to see it finished and with the advantages I have been given in my the girls playing on it the day that I left. life so far. However, I was also given the opportunity to The girls took me by surprise as they were teach the girls and other children from the so eager to learn, and they also taught us village and also to practise physiotherapy some of their native language, Chichewa, on babies with cerebral palsy. I was able to in return. With the money that Laura and I really experience the Malawian culture as, raised, we managed to build a bore hole, for part of my stay, I lived with a family in new washing stations to do their washing on the local village. and some chickens, which they loved! The girls enjoying their new playground My favourite part of being at Tilinanu was Also, whilst I was in Malawi, I worked as It is now four years since I started to write watching the girls pray every night before a student nurse. I was able to work in about Tilinanu, the orphanage in Malawi supper; it is amazing to hear everything the Government Hospital and in one of which was founded by Alice Pulford at that they are thankful for even though they the clinics in the local area. This was an the tender age of 18. Every year the have so much less than us. Also to listen to incredible opportunity for me to experience improvements made seem to get better the girls sing and see the joy on their faces and I’m so grateful to Alice for arranging and better. Alice, with the aid of an army is unbelievable. One other very special part this for me. of helpers and a huge amount of drive, has of my experience at Tilinanu was my 18th managed to maintain the support, both birthday; we had a big kid’s birthday party So many memories have been created financial and otherwise, required to keep and I can’t say that there was one thing in the orphanage up and running. particular that I enjoyed the most as the whole experience was amazing. I just want Each year, approximately £15,000 is to thank everyone who has ever made a required just to support the girls in the donation to the orphanage or to anyone who orphanage, not to mention the capital has sponsored a girl, as I have personally required to carry out improvements to seen first-hand the difference you are the buildings and the grounds. There are making to their lives and it’s truly amazing.” currently thirty-four girls in residence. The difference between this charity and Old Ratcliffians, Ross McDonald (06) and many others is that, as it is so small, Katie Gerighty (11) Lawrence Pulford (06) also gave their time all the monies go directly to the orphanage. to volunteer at the orphanage this summer. It costs £16.50 per month to sponsor with a bouncy castle, face paint and party Ratcliffe College kindly hosted another a child and £10 per month to become food; it was one of the best days of my life. Garden Party in July which raised over a ‘Friend of Tilinanu’; this money goes This summer and the memory of all the £20,000 for the fund. towards the maintenance of the orphanage girls is going to stay with me forever and I and to augment the ‘Porridge Fund’, a already miss them every day.” If you would like to volunteer in Tilinanu, government scheme which feeds children contact Alice Pulford with a bowl of porridge per day. At the Sophie Mulligan and Laura Birtwhistle alice_pulford@hotmail.co.uk or visit moment the orphanage feeds 176 children (11) raised enough money to build a bore www.lovetilinanu.org.uk a day through this scheme. hole so that the water bills, which were previously costly, could now be considerably Jackie Bennett This year, Alice set her Old Ratcliffian reduced. Editor friends a challenge before they set off to volunteer in the summer. Each volunteer Sophie Mulligan wrote: “Laura and I went was asked to raise £1000 for a project of to Lilongwe in Malawi over the summer as their own design. volunteers for Tilinanu orphanage. On our flight over, I was a bit apprehensive and Katie Gerighty (11) raised enough to build nervous about the trip as we were travelling a playground and play area. “My summer alone and going somewhere completely at Tilinanu was one of the best experiences different and far away from England. of my life and I enjoyed every bit of it. With However, after arriving and being greeted the money that I had raised at home, I with nothing but love and kindness (and was able to buy each girl a pair of knitting song and dance!) from the Tilinanu angels, I needles, buy proper netball posts and knew that I was going to love my time there. build a playground within the walls of the I wanted to go to Africa to help the people Sophie Mulligan (11) orphanage to encourage the girls to play however I could, and to make a difference Register online at www.ratcliffanassociation.co.uk 35