York & FFC sisters

International womens' day was a real tribute to the strength of the women who run FFC. From the canteen, to the co-op (the women who organized the festivities), to the preschool teachers and office staff, the women at FFC are truly remarkable.
They take care of us, make us feel at home and are like mothers to the children. The spirit of FFC is demonstrated through these women who many of which have grown up at FFC and feel so at home here that they do not want to leave. FFC provides them with everything they need to be self sufficient young women. FFC encourages the kids to learn English and go to school, they will also arrange marriages if the older girls ask for it. The women at FFC are all so supportive and create individual relationships with each person and child that they meet. They pass their skills down to us through braiding our hair at dinner (supa!), teaching us to dance, and to cook.
The chapati recipe which they taught us and we made (not as well as them) is something that we will try to recreate in order to bring back memories of this unforgettable experience. So for all of those mothers who want a taste of what its like - try this at home
Ingredients
4 cups wheat (millet) flour
2 cups white flour
1 heaping tablespoon of salt
Approx. 1.5 cups of water - for the right consistency
2 tablespoons vegetable/canola/palm oil
Instructions
Sift flours and salt together.
Place into bowl.
Knead in water. Make sure it is a dough like consistency. Make sure not sticky.
Add oil.
Knead to get out air and mix ingredients.
Separate into fist sized balls.
Take 1 ball and flour the surface.
Using a rolling pin, flatten into a square, thin sheet.
Rub teaspoon of oil across flattened surface.
Fold into thirds, folding the outermost sections towards the middle.
Fold this already folded dough into thirds, folding the outermost sections towards the middle. Creating a smaller square.
Reflour the surface, using the rolling pin roll out so that it is very thin and square-shaped.
Sprinkle oil around edges of pan. Place on medium heat.
Place dough into pan. Using the back of a spoon, rub oil onto chapati.
Flip and repeat. Make sure not to burn. Cook until slightly brown and there are a few bubbles.
Enjoy and think of us.
We propose a dinner for all of the India trip parents where we will try to use our teamwork to cook. Maybe, the "Great One" will coach us through this.
As we type there are 6 of our favourite girls helping us to type.
"Hi. My name is Sindhu. I am studying 7standard and I like Loren sister and Carly sister, Erin sister and Katie sister very much. And all of the brothers. We like FFC very much. We are given freedom by Ghandi Nhadu Suba Chandra Bos. (sights to see)The nature, the Taj Mahal that was built by the Sajganth to Mumtaj, his lover, Egypt, it is wonderful and different to see. My ambition is to become a doctor and help others. One day when I'm a big girl I will come to Canada and visit the York school and the sisters also." - Sindhu, 13
That was a note fom Sindhu, our 13 year old friend and translator who speaks incredible English, we don't know what we would do without her. None of the girls speak English as well.
We love playing with the little girls, we introduced them to mint gum (they acted like it was spicier than the curry), to spice girls, 7up and new hair clips.
They are already sad about our upcoming departure, as are we. The York and FFC girls will all miss eachother very much and are enjoying the short time we have left.
More from the guys later tonight.
For now, Erin, Loren + Carly.
PS They just read the post to us and are continuing to practice their Enlgish skills as I type. If I don't stop there will be no lunch for us.
PPS We went to a Hindu wedding arranged marriage this morning - our thoughts to come.