Partner institution: Khadimabad Welfare TrustWebsite: http://www.kwtrust.co.uk/
Contributors (2013):Ifza Bano Shakoor
Instructions:Contributors: Ifza Shakoor |
Contents: |
The orphanage was located in a temporary building whilst I was there as the new school building was being built. There were 28 orphan girls currently boarding at the school. Their timetable was very long, with the average school day beginning at 5am and ending at 8pm. The majority of their education was religious with 3 hours per day allocated to formal education. I had to take a translator with me, as I had difficulties with the language. The Pupils level of English wasn't very high either
I was lucky enough to have my Dad's villa to live in and round the clock workers there to cook, clean and to wash my clothes. Howver if you are to rent, accomodation prices vary depending on the size and what type of accomodation you decide to live in. A 2 bedroom flat can cost around 4000 - 6000 rupees which is between £25-40 per month whilst a villa will obviously cost a lot more. Compared to England, rent prices are very cheap so you can afford to treat yourself and live in luxury! Eating out for 2 people in local restaurants costs around £10 per meal if you have a starter and main, plus drinks. It's best to know someone locally to guide you as the shopkeepers and locals can try to rip you off if they know you're a foreigner.
I had a car and a motorbike available to use due to having family of my husbands living in Kashmir. Rental prices for a relatively new Toyota Corolla hatchback start from 1500 rupees a day which is roughly £10 in English money. Public transport available there was local taxis and suzukis (highly decorated vehicles with the back open, presumably for fresh air as it can get humid if vehicles do not have air conditioning)
You can easily exchange money in the money exchange bureau's or banks. Check the exchange rate and count your money before leaving. Whilst I was in Kashmir the exchange rate was 1GBP = 149 Rupees.
Visit the local beautyspots. I can see why Kashmir is known as Heaven on Earth. Parts of it are breathtakingly beautiful.
Go on a speedboat in a river or sea. (costs around 1500 Rupees or £10.Mangla Dam is a very popular location with tourists for this.
Email - manwar@kwtrust.co.uk
Get vaccinations organised through your G.P asap as these can take time. Depending on the time of year you go, you may need to take anti-malaria tablets and antidiarrheal drugs with you as prevention.