Baba and Amma

This week, the children had to write letters to their parents inviting them to attend parent-teacher day coming up on October 12th. I had to correct their letters and address each one. Reading those words was heartrending but they certainly put life in perspective. Most went something along these lines:

"Hello, Baba and Amma. I miss you...I hope you are doing well. I am writing to you, to invite you to come visit me. I have not heard from you but I hope that the family is healthy. I hope you are not feeling cold at night... I know you might not understand this letter but...I love you."

It baffles me to think that these children are learning so many things in school, the 11th graders even preparing for their board exams to attend university. Meanwhile their parents, those of them who are still around, don't even know how to read. (I asked them how their parents would understand the letter they were sending, and they explained that they go to someone in the village that can read and that knows English, no matter how far they have to walk). I often see myself in my parents; there are so many things about them that I admire, that I love and that I strive to live up to. It's crazy to think that these kids are now so disconnected from their parents in every sense of the word...even the 10-year old 4th graders. And although they have found a family here at Shanti-Bhavan and this place has become their second home, there is still nothing like the guidance and love of your own parents and the warmth you feel when you stand next to the two people that love you the most in the entire world. Indeed, this school has done something amazing for them; it has not only provided them with an exemplary education but it has given them a sense of self-worth: "You are not untouchable..." They have been blessed with opportunity; yet their story is still a sad one.

These children have shared their experiences with me, and although they are probably some of the most horrifying or heartbreaking accounts I've ever heard, they do it in a way that the last sentence always makes one smile, and then with very humble and honest gratitude they hug me and say "thank you for listening". I have always been known to be optimistic and hopeful; I like to think I am. But these days, I have experienced a different and deeper type of "looking up"...regardless of how tough their lives have been, they embrace the fact that the chance they got is a great one and that they must strive to be the best they can be everyday, trying to leave their traumas behind. Their stories should be told...is it not these stories that make us realize how fortunate we really are? Yes the world is the way it is, there are the fortunate, the less fortunate and the many people in between...these facts and this place have made me further question what I can do with my predestined privileges, and although I think it is "a lifelong question", I'm grateful to be here right now, it makes sense to me. Life here has become routine, a really nice one. The weeks are flying by and I wish they wouldn't; I can't believe I've already been here for almost 2 months. As I teach something new everyday, I am also learning more about life and myself than I ever have before. I guess it takes children sometimes to help see human virtues at their essence. And seeing this country and getting to know this rich culture has certainly widened my world perspective.

Outside of the classroom, the "guest house building" is an experience of its own. The dynamics change completely every time there is a new volunteer. It started with all girls, and at one point one poor high-school boy who I think we drove half insane with our "girl talks". Now there are four ladies and two guys. Derek, one of the guys, volunteered here a couple years ago before he went to grad school and has now returned knowing all the strings. He is a great person. With him as the mastermind we are putting together some proposals to fund raise for the school. We will send the proposals to non-profits and grant donors all over the United States and India. He is an engineer that did his graduate research on water resources in Africa. Suparna worked in publishing for four years, Anitha (another volunteer) worked in PR for Ralph Lauren before she came here, and Neil, the other guy, is a web designer who is very talented; so all together they are an amazing group and through them I have been learning very much. I'm happy to have encountered all these amazing people who are young yet experienced, super nice and who at the same time, share my passion for helping these remarkable children.