Wow I can't believe I am actually here in India! The land of my dreams (in case you didn't pick that up). I have been on the ground for about a week. India is such a vibrant country, every time I wander thru town or the slums, I find happiness in all the colorful saree's. They are each so unique and beautiful, almost as beautiful as the people who were them.
I have noticed as a general statement they are reserved towards us until I share a smile and a wave, and then a giddiness comes about them, no matter their age. This week we have been working in one of the slums about 30 minutes away from where we live. Even though they have close to nothing they treat us like royalty. They bring out chairs or tarps for us to sit on, and always offer us a drink, & 'offer' to throw away our garbage, which means they take it and toss it on the ground.
The one slum we have been working closely with, is working on getting government recognition, which will enable them to have a more permanent home (aka the government won't come in and level their homes). Key factors include 'real' buildings instead of sheet metal and tarps. We see them out there mixing there own cement and building walls day after day. They are hard workers. We have and continually are helping them fund and build borewells, which makes a HUGE impact. They walk anywhere from 2-5 kilometers just for water, which is always contamenaited. Leading to so many illnesses. However borewells are drilled into the ground and bring the water up from the water table, leading to clean water. We have noticed in the colonies that have borwells their is a greater sense of community, they all pitched in (along with outside sources) to help pay for the borwell, and they have a keeper who monitors the usage, leading to less contention due to families monopulizing the borewell.
We have also been running a summer camp for the kids in the slums, reviewing English, and teaching games and songs to give them something to do instead of get in trouble. They are so adorable, sweet and full of energy. 3 hours with them in 104* weather is quite exhausting. These kids are brilliant, they pick up on English so fast, the older ones help the younger ones and translate for us as needed.
Thanks for your love, thoughts and support, they are working miracles!! Till next week.
Namaste
I have noticed as a general statement they are reserved towards us until I share a smile and a wave, and then a giddiness comes about them, no matter their age. This week we have been working in one of the slums about 30 minutes away from where we live. Even though they have close to nothing they treat us like royalty. They bring out chairs or tarps for us to sit on, and always offer us a drink, & 'offer' to throw away our garbage, which means they take it and toss it on the ground.
The one slum we have been working closely with, is working on getting government recognition, which will enable them to have a more permanent home (aka the government won't come in and level their homes). Key factors include 'real' buildings instead of sheet metal and tarps. We see them out there mixing there own cement and building walls day after day. They are hard workers. We have and continually are helping them fund and build borewells, which makes a HUGE impact. They walk anywhere from 2-5 kilometers just for water, which is always contamenaited. Leading to so many illnesses. However borewells are drilled into the ground and bring the water up from the water table, leading to clean water. We have noticed in the colonies that have borwells their is a greater sense of community, they all pitched in (along with outside sources) to help pay for the borwell, and they have a keeper who monitors the usage, leading to less contention due to families monopulizing the borewell.
We have also been running a summer camp for the kids in the slums, reviewing English, and teaching games and songs to give them something to do instead of get in trouble. They are so adorable, sweet and full of energy. 3 hours with them in 104* weather is quite exhausting. These kids are brilliant, they pick up on English so fast, the older ones help the younger ones and translate for us as needed.
Thanks for your love, thoughts and support, they are working miracles!! Till next week.
Namaste
Bimala, the sweetest girl whom I almost brought home from our tourist stop at Golconda fort.
Our coke party after we drank some tap water on accident. Apparently coke is the cure all.
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