Our Volunteers - Helen
For a few years I had been planning to go to TOLFA since I first met Rachel Wright the Founder and Serena Schellenberg (fundraiser) at a wonderful fundraising auction for TOLFA arranged by Serena in 2008. As a trustee of the Valerie White Memorial Trust - a charity which supports and donates to Animal Charities, I decided it would be great to actually go out to India to see for myself how our money had been put to use.
Celebrating Holi at TOLFA
It was great to see the Cattle Shelter that had been built through our support. I wanted to work there too, so I joined the Project Raja Volunteer Scheme. I arrived in India not knowing what to expect, during the taxi drive from Jaipur I think I travelled with my jaw dropping and mouth wide open at what I was seeing. Cars all over the road, camel/Ox carts, whole families on one motorbike, no traffic rules, things driving down the same side of the road in the opposite direction to us! Amazing!
On arrival at my bed and breakfast Dia in Pushkar, I was met by Dr Ashok, Radhe (who was to look after me) and two of the Dia staff. They were all so friendly and made me feel very welcome. The next day lovely Rachel (heavy with child) came to my digs to greet me and have lunch, accompanied by Dr Ashok and Radhe. In the afternoon Radhe took me on the back of the motorbike to visit the TOLFA Shelter out in the countryside between Pushkar and Ajmer.
What an experience but nothing like what I should become accustomed to once I began work the next day. I can honestly say that for the first few days I found it quite hard. Getting used to the heat, the flies in their multitude and the sight of the poor animals. I helped the divine, lovely Sharda who showed me my tasks - along with Radhe - as Sharda doesn’t speak very much English and my Hindi was zilch! I helped prepare the extra morning feed for the post operative dogs, those with mange, the paralysed ones and the older puppies. I was put in charge of my own dogs in block E. I fed the tiny puppies and gave them Pro-kaolin to stop the runs and vitamins through a pipette.
Each day was different as so many various animals came in to the hospital. Cattle, Camels, goats, peacocks, monkeys. Every day Rachel would make her rounds first thing and then advise us on where our priorities lay for that day and for which animals. At this time I wondered if I was going to cope and by Thursday of my first week I was a little run down.
Rachel told me to take a break as I had apparently been over doing it when I was not used to the heat or conditions. She did warn me at the beginning of the week. So, Radhe took me to the Doctor in Pushkar, I was dehydrated, lacking in vitamins and fatigued. A day off on Friday and Saturday soon put me right and I was ready for work again on Sunday.
Walking the dogs
Now that I knew what to do each day I worked on my own some of the time. Once my morning tasks were complete I walked as many dogs as possible from other blocks as well as my own for 15-20 minutes each and put the ones who could not go for a walk into the front yard area to get fresh air, a roll in sand and sun on their little bodies.
Working alongside the volunteer Vets I kept an eye on my charges and reported anything that I thought needed their attention. I learnt so much and really enjoyed picking up advice and being given tasks by them. Our day finished around 5pm when we were picked up and taken back to our digs.
Returning “home” in the taxi to my digs I felt a sense of satisfaction hopefully knowing that my work that day had made a difference to the hectic and busy time that the permanent staff have constantly at TOLFA. A lovely shower and then out to eat in the evening was wonderful. A good nights sleep (I slept so well) and up and ready to seize the day!
I chose to stay in a B&B just on the outskirts of Pushkar town owned by the lovely Anoop (a great friend to TOLFA) who, I can honestly say has become a firm friend of mine. Anoop, his wife Jan, their two little girls and the adorable PeePoo, a golden retriever made my stay with them an absolute joy. Anoop also owns Inn Seventh Heaven the Havali in the centre of Pushkar which is literally heaven on earth. The staff at both places are so friendly and helpful and I cannot praise them enough.
A few days before my time to leave arrived, another Nurturing Volunteer arrived, Ingrid from Australia, she and I got on like a house on fire and it was my job to show her the ropes, which I loved. She and I worked together really well and enjoyed the walks with our dogs in the afternoon having a chat.
Official opening of the Exercise Yard
On my last day I had the privilege of cutting the red ribbon to officially name the Exercise Yard for the paralysed/mange dogs which the Valerie White Trust had made possible through funding. By the time I had to leave I was in pieces - I just didn’t want to go! I am tearful now writing this account as I so want to be back at TOLFA and in Pushkar.
I shall go back, I am saving now for my trip next year. I can’t wait to get on the plane and be there with all those lovely creatures. I hope this account will inspire many other people to join the Project Raja scheme and have this life changing experience, which for me in my mid fifties was the most amazing time I have ever had. Thank you TOLFA, Anoop and everyone for giving me such a fabulous adventure. I have included three of my many photographs.
I was particularly fond of the one eared dog on my block and of course the puppies. The “paint job” is on “Holi” the festival of colour when everyone gets covered in bright colours which is a b to wash off. Bliss! God bless TOLFA. I’ll be back!
Helen Watson
Project Raja Volunteer 2010
