"I was brought into contact with Deep Griha through a friend in the guide movement, who regularly travelled to Sangam, Pune and knew Dr. Onawale. I was eighteen and had just left school. My experiences at Deep Griha and Pune convinced me that I wanted to enter a long-term career in Primary Health Care in developing countries...Deep Griha has definitely played a key role in shaping my career and future plans."
-Philippa Harrison, May 1987

"There is so much I want to say...I don't know how I could ever adequately express on paper how much my time with you all has meant to me. India, Pune, and most importantly Deep Griha have exceeded every expectation I had...dreams do come true! Thank you, thank you, thank you. You are all wonderful and will be in my thoughts forever."
-Frances Jose, September 1990

"Words can never express how I feel about my time here. I will never forget Deep Griha and everyone within the walls of it. It will be like a lighthouse to guide my way...Thank you for giving me such a wonderful time and showing me myself."
- Jenny Whitlock, March 1992

"It was a pleasure to get to know India through the Onawales, and to meet with the people of half-dozen nationalities that drifted through Deep Griha during our time here. We learned the difference between a jug and a pitcher and were taught by Susan to use the always-appropriate 'baaparee.' We rescued Manisha from lizards, and tried to learn the secrets of Indian cooking from Neela- but wound up making chapattis shaped like Africa and various other continents. We really appreciated the hospitality of the Onawales and the Deep Griha staff; there is a special feeling of generosity and selflessness here, which made our many returns feel like returns 'home.'"
- Elizabeth Hoge & Ira Sher, July 1994

"I feel I have been given so much more than I could ever give back. I shall always remember the children's smiles, the singing, the looks on the women's faces when they've just learned to sign their names, the overwhelming generosity of so many of the slum dwellers...I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to share in this."
- Katherine Moss, August 1994

"My experience at Deep Griha Society taught me a lot about social and human development and also about the spirit of community. I will never forget my stay in India...and will remember all my life the delight of the children and their vitality." -Sophie Ducreax, August 1994 "All I can say is I don't want to go home! It's been fabulous- I'll never forget the balwadis. Thanks to everyone- it has been one of the best experiences of my life."
- Alice Kociejowski, August 1996

"Thank you so very much to the Deep Griha staff and to the Onawales for such a rewarding and unforgettable experience. This experience has strengthened my faith in God and I have been so blessed by Him through the Indian people. I will take home so much with me. My heart is so full!"
- Janet Grammer, December 1997

"Since I arrived I have been in awe of the work done here and I tried to contribute where I could...I know I'll remain in awe forever but hopefully one day, I'll be as successful. It was hard to leave when I knew I was coming back and it is harder still when I don't know when I'll be back (guaranteed I'll be back, you can dry your eyes now). The kids, the staff, the people that are in and out of here every day, have opened my eyes. They've made me laugh, they've made me cry, but most of all they've made me truly understand what strength is."
- Bryn Coape Arnold, April 1998

"The atmosphere was delightful to work in and the feelings and kindness shown to me will stay with me for the rest of my life. It was like being part of one big extended family who all strove to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate than themselves. This was one thing I learned about Indian culture through working at Deep Griha. I was always taught that the family was the building block of any society and the warmth shown and community of those at Deep Griha struck a deep chord within me- an experience I will treasure to the end of my days."
- Alistair MacLennan, August 1999

"I was astounded at how warm, open and cheerful [the kids in the School Drop-Out class] appeared. The language barrier was not an issue. We often played games and led crafts with the children and it was amazing how far a warm smile and a good flailing of the arms could take you! I was touched by their sincerity and stillness amidst the chaos of the slum and through their example, I was also able to experience a sense of inner peace...[The Onawale's] total trust in God's provision was an inspiration for me, as was the Onawale's desire for the volunteers, through their work with Deep Griha, to become more loving and compassionate individuals. As a volunteer, I received so much more at Deep Griha than I could ever repay. I was at once moved, inspired and encouraged by the wonderful work they were doing. I had seen and experienced for myself the effects of the Onawale's genuine love and concern for others through the inspiration of God. And I knew, like many of those before and since, that I would never be the same again."
- Frances Hume, February 1999

"Working at Deep Griha has been a unique experience...not just because I'm helping people, but I have thoroughly enjoyed being away from home and having to make my own decisions and see the consequences, whether good or bad...With the resources DGS has it is absolutely fantastic what this charity has achieved and the staff who work here should be highly commended...I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and I will recommend this Gap-Year project to my friends and all those who are interested."

"Certainly I would not return quite the same person I was when I left that February morning in the snow...Simple though it may sound, I do not think any welcome could ever surpass the reassuring simplicity or appropriateness of [the one we received from Deep Griha]. Looking back now I realise that that initial welcome was an accurate precursor of the warmth and the generosity of receptions that were to come; of the humanity and the love that was to cushion and adorn our daily lives at Deep Griha...while working at the centre, there was never a time when we felt unsupported, unwelcome or alone...walking into [the Family Welfare Centre] was like being admitted into the open arms of an extended family...I should have known all along that what I had come here to receive could never be equalled by what it was in my capacity to give. However, during the two and a half months that I worked at Deep Griha, I witnessed so many acts of smiling humanity, of vitality and of love, that the effect: the satisfaction and the reward, soon began to wear off on me. I have never felt so happy or alive as I did working alongside the staff at Deep Griha. Nor have I found so many reasons to laugh or smile so much in my life. Deep Griha is appropriately named. It is a lighthouse, and its beam is encompassing and intoxicating in its brightness. There are few places I know that daily house quite so much contentment, so many smiles, so much evidence of peace and demonstrations of love, as that sacred three-storied shrine to God and humanity on Tadiwala Rd."
- Catherine Dixon, May 2000

"India has that indistinguishable emotional call, which reaches in and grabs hold of your heart. Of the time I have spent at Deep Griha, one of the clearest memories I have is that of the babies staring open mouthed in apparent amazement at the mobiles and the walls of the newly painted creches. This is closely followed by one of my first days here, the staff picnic. I have a vision imprinted in my mind of a pile of saris on the floor, lots of laughing, and the still swinging hammocks above! From the very first day I was made to feel at home...I have never been made to feel an ignorant outsider who asked a lot of ridiculous questions...Deep Griha is a network of support and hope for those people in the four slum areas and the numerous villages surrounding Pune...One thing that struck me was that nothing is wasted, all space is maximised to its full potential...The time I have spent travelling in India and also from the time I have spent in Pune, I have seen unmistakable beauty and fantastic colour...I have also found amazing beauty in what for me was the most unlikely of places- the slums of Tadiwala Rd. During one of the pre-monsoon storms I was privileged to watch a girl of about nine, with a string of jasmine in her hair, dance in the rain with elegance, grace and true beauty. It was this sight that brought a tear to my eye...It has made me realise how poverty-stricken the West is...Everywhere I look, especially in the poorer areas I have seen, are wide eyed children full of fun and everyone smiles those big, wide, white toothed grins. They are much more welcoming and happy than anyone I have encountered back home....India has challenged my way of thinking about so many different aspects of life...I will be sad to leave this amazing country and to say goodbye to the friends I have made here. That is, until next time."
- Rachel Amos, July 2000

 

“A lot of my naïve preconceptions have been challenged and I have grown in my faith...I have been inspired by the faith, love and determination of Neela and Bhuskar and I will take this inspiration back with me to New Zealand...I will carry in my heart forever the smiles of the beautiful and courageous children I have had the blessing of getting to know”

 

“Deep Griha is a place I will never forget, having been here for 6 months now it really feels like home. It takes a long time to get used to India, but now arguing with rickshaw drivers, avoiding cows in the street and eating with my hands comes as second nature.”

“You’ll make life long friends, learn lots about yourself and have some of your most memorable experiences ever…and remember, before you criticise someone, walk a mile in their shoes”

“I’m so jealous of you, you are about to have the time of your life. Even if like me you want to jump on a plane back home a week into it, DON’T, it does get better, trust me.”

“Here, working at DISHA I met incredible people. The work they do for the communities is unbelievable. I learnt a lot with these people and I’ll never forget the experience”

“If you get a chance to go to the City of Child, do it! The children will blow your mind away, they all bring something special to City of Child”

“The whole experience has honestly been a fantastic one, and one where I’ve been learning constantly...Some advice to new volunteers – be open, be patient and come wanting to learn as well as wanting to give. You’ll get as much out as you put in. Have fun!”

“My experience with Deep Griha has been more than fantastic. I never knew or fully understood that I would not be simply coming to volunteer, but to be part of a wonderful family. I have felt really welcomed by everyone”

“Having never taught before and initially being very terrified, I fell in love with teaching and especially my lovely class. The enthusiasm and the willingness of the women to learn has been really inspiring”

- Tal Gurevich, September 2010

“ My experience with DGS allowed me to live out a life-long dream; to do sex education in Indian schools. I have learnt more than I have taught, however through going to schools and opening up to the responses we get, I’ve seen so much into a culture I’ve only ever dreamed of experiencing so deeply”

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• • 7.1: Case Studies
  • 7.2: Newsletter

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