In meditation I visualize a 12-year-old girl whose picture gazes intelligently from one of the booklets and reflect that the opportunity of a proper education is helping her fulfil her potential. I think of the five of us on the team; the hopes and fears about the project that we shared yesterday and wish for us all that we fulfil our potentials. I feel connected and enthusiastic and in the training session I shoot my hand up as a volunteer for role-play. Vandanajyoti plays a householder and Lindsay watches as I play at knocking my first door. Immediately my nerves devour my confidence. It’s much harder than I imagined. Then it’s Lindsay’s turn. She’s brilliant! I feel tiny. We all have a few more goes then break for tea.I’m amazed that everyone is chatting away normally. I’m in shock; paralysed by terror and find it hard to join in.
In the evening we’re sent out on our own to walk round our areas. When I see my first street my heart sinks. There are loads of ‘’To Let’ signs on houses which are packed close together and have front gardens just big enough for the rubbish boxes and stuffed black bin-bags that many contain.
