Sunderbans Report

John Alexander writes:
Sorry that you have not heard from us for a while. We are having some technical problems with mobile phone connection. Lots of photos of our arrival at Jharkalli yesterday and our first building work today were sent but did not get through.
We are experiencing the most challenging conditions of any of the previous John Scottus expeditions to India. Temperatures in the mid to high thirties and extreme humidity have made for sticky, energy sapping heat and without electric fans we melted on our horsehair mats last night. Imagine lying naked bathed in your own sweat, covered by green and black hopping insects and with mosquitoes screaming in your ears. Every time the mercy of a wave of sleep was dashed by the regular howling of manic dogs. I took my mat outdoors at 2.00am only to be driven in by more mossies and flashes of lightening. I'm writing this in the hope that tonight brings the relief of sleep. It rained a little today which means that it is a few degrees cooler.
THE CLASS
The students are very resilient. They are being tested like no  other JS group and their spirit and good humour are irrepressible. They have included 5 Loreto girls from Sr Cyril's Sealdah school into their friendship and these girls have returned the welcome they have received.
We had a great welcome on our arrival yesterday and after a formal opening ceremony started the building work this morning in the searing heat. This afternoon we went on a fascinating walk through the local countryside meeting the people whose children will go to our school in their little mud cabins. Everywhere we go we are greeted with respect especially as we have come back after just seven months to complete the school we started in February.