Barbara (India)

I am unsure how Mondo got its name but if you google the word “Mondo” it can be an adverb or adjective for something very striking or remarkable….our experience with Mondo was REMARKABLE!

My husband and I are retired GP’s and wanted to do something different from medicine. I heard about this charity from a very enthusiastic volunteer and having been so impressed by everything she told us we applied to be volunteers ourselves. Soon the wheels were put in motion and in February we set of for Love Buds School in Munsong, Kalimpong, India.

Having flown from Delhi to Bagdogra our journey to Kalimpong and then on to Munsong was made so easy by the wonderful Mondo country manager, Santa, who was such a friendly and helpful gentleman and who even went beyond the call of duty and later helped us organise a trek to Sandakpu.

We arrived in Munsong on a Sunday and spent the afternoon exploring the village. A ribbon of brightly coloured houses, pink blue and yellow, following a narrow road running down a steep hillside with prayer flags fluttering above and surrounded by majestic mountains. Munsong was beautiful but on Monday morning it was Love Buds school that shone brighter…such lovely people, teachers and pupils, it was them that made our experience with Mondo so special.

I have never met such enthusiastic interested and  bright children. Their curriculum is extensive and very advanced for their age. The English grammar, at times, was beyond anything I knew despite having done a TEFL course. Science class for class 6 (ages 10/11 years ) included information about amino acids fatty acids water and fat soluble vitamins – things I had not heard of until medical school! I followed the childrens books with them  and tried to have some fun at the end of each lesson either playing games or drawing.

My husband was not keen to teach so he busied himself painting shelves and the outside of the school. We did do a first aid class together and on the last day we did leaf rubbings which were used to form a “tree” for the school hallway.

That last day came all too quickly and there was a tearful goodbye but as Suresh, one of the teacher, says “memories do not die”. It is so nice that we can remain in touch by way of social media – I never thought I would be grateful for modern technology! Hopefully someday we will all meet again.