Longitude

To recap from my last post ‘Pin Drop Silence:’ In India, the higher castes have built their power and authority on the subjugation of the lower castes, especially the Dalit. Who does the menial labor necessary for higher caste life to exist? The Dalit. Who cleans up the rivers of human effluence with bare hands [...]

Here are some pictures of the houses we began over three years ago in Kothasatram/Indiranagar Village, India.

The white-washed houses are complete and there are many happy families living in them now. The first picture (left) is of a house dedication ceremony I was invited to take part in. Just after I cut the ribbon, the [...]

Here are some pictures of the houses in various stages of completion in Gummallapadu Village, India.
From April 2009
Rick Mickelson
Longitude Director of International Volunteering

India is an assault on the senses.
From the putrid aromas wafting from rivers of human effluence and fields of smoldering garbage to the cacophony of car horns, shrill screams and construction machinery to the serenely beautiful landscapes juxtaposed against crumbling, half-built infrastructure, there is seemingly enough to confound and delight one’s soul for eternity in [...]

Waylaid by a quick bout with the infamous Delhi Belly, we are now a day behind schedule…actually, we had a contingency plan for just such an occasion.  I was planning to fly back south to catch my flight home, but Ravi canceled that and then booked two train tickets for us, so that we can [...]

…getting to India was an adventure in and of itself. How could a simple 30 hour transcontinental journey get any more exciting? Well, before leaving Dallas the ground crew packed someones dogs in the wrong luggage compartment, so we had to turn back from the runway before takeoff and return to the gate, where it [...]

My name is Vishal Jani and I just returned from the March 2009 ARV project in GP Village, AP.
My colleagues have written comprehensive blogs that tell of emotions, appreciation and thanks that are identical to mine. I also realize that current and future volunteers are a primary group that will read this blog. To that [...]

Hello,
My name is Joel Post and I was recently a volunteer on the March 20-29 trip to GP village in India. Here is a quick blog entry I wrote after returning yesterday.
Snow
When one thinks about southern India, snow doesn’t usually come to mind, but there it was all around me: snow drifts, avalanches, snow cones…but [...]

Dear Longitude Supporters,
Longitude is pleased to announce that Director of International Volunteering, Rick Mickelson, will be traveling to India from April 13-21, 2009. The purpose of this trip is multifold with an emphasis on launching the Longitude Uncaste India Campaign, as well as to take stock of the amazing progress our volunteers and donors have [...]