An interview with Dhoni...I mean Tony...

Brad: Hi Tony, fancy meeting you here – who are you and where did you come from?

Tony: Hi Brad. I’m Tony, to answer the standard Indian questions - I’m from England, 42, unmarried (no kids), a software engineer and now live in Australia – I’m currently on tour, on the return part of a trip to see my folks in Sheffield, England.

Brad: Yeah yeah, enough about you. On to more important matters – where do you know me from?

Tony: I know you from work where we met in 2001 when we were developing websites together. We subsequently became friends and I haven’t been able to get rid of you since!

Brad: Thank you for that glowing tribute... What have you been up to while you’ve been here in India?

Tony: I arrived in Delhi and fended off the locals for several days, went and saw the Taj Mahal, then went north to Amritsar and watched the entertaining Pakistan-India border ceremony. Also on this side-trip I went and saw the impressive Golden Temple where I was struck by the fact that it wasn’t just a tourist trap but of great significance to Hindus.

I arrived here at the orphanage a few days ago with great trepidation (innate fear of church, children and leprosy). I went to my first church

service since school and didn’t get struck by lightning, I’m also now much more at ease around kids of all ages - even if they’re clambering all over my head and shoulders! Tomorrow is the final chapter in my phobia-busting regime when I will be meeting the lepers. My time has been spent here walking through the jungle, playing volleyball, chess and cards, dancing like Michael Jackson (which entertained the girls). My main contribution though has been to help out with Maths tuition and assisting in improving the performance of the website (www.indianorphanage.com).

Brad: So you’ve enjoyed yourself? What do you think of this place?

Tony: Yes, it’s been non-stop, entertaining and rewarding all rolled into one. All these kids seem very happy and I can’t help but think that without this place there would be 120 beautiful kids that would be homeless, without a future or even dead. I think that coming here has shown me that a few dedicated people with little money can make a huge difference to so many lives – it’s really quite humbling when you’re seeing it with your own eyes.

Brad: What now?

Tony: I’ve got 3 more weeks travelling around India until I go back home to Australia. When I get back I’ll be continuing to help out with the website and also make a donation towards their new school project. I’ve travelled to many places around the world (6 continents) and this has been one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had – and I was only here 4 days!

Brad: Cool – I’m glad you came and I’m also looking forward to the next 10 days travelling to Varanasi, Kolkata and Darjeeling with you.