You know you are in India when...

(adapted from Rachel K.'s Blog)

You know you are in India when... Children say their Yay, B, Cs-- You favor a squatter over a Western toilet-- Its normal to see cows roaming the streets-- power outages are a regular occurrence-- you love bowers, even with a frog-- you find questionable chicken hearts in your sauce at dinner-- you get hairy legs trying to avoid staph infections-- you eat off a banana leaf-- tutoring is more tired than cinder blocks-- there is nothing better than "you don't have lice"-- women wear swim costumes-- drivers drive on the left hand side

More you ask?

Beaded kurtas are considered dressing up-- PB + Js are on the menu for lunch, everyday-- Skype is the new form of keeping in touch-- you jingle everywhere you go (like Pierre) from wearing anklets-- you don't recognize yourself with your hair down-- you respond to Auntie-- children don't question when you tell them your name is Trishraj-- you always carry two things: water and a camera-- "beating" is not something to report to the police-- children reading is "opium to the ears"-- Nice times are sold out after the volunteers come into the store-- malaria pills are part of breakfast-- its not a zit, its a bindi!

Well, I'm all packed up and we leave good old RSO in the morning. It was so sad to say goodbye. Now onto the long journey home. I love India!

Sharoja

I’ve been reading a book called Daughters of God by Michael Wilcox. I came across a few lines that tie into to what I have been thinking about here in India. He said, “Which experiences best increase love, compassion, mercy, kindness, and patience? Suffering creates and enhances those and other needful characteristics. Suffering is all around us. Many women (people) carry great burdens of sorrow; many are victims of evil or live in circumstances that create pain. Some allow suffering to turn them bitter and angry, but they are free to choose other wise. Others become ennobled and refined through their sufferings.”

I’ve seen this over and over again. It has been heartbreaking to learn of some of the children’s background or family life. Sexual abuse is common from living in small shelters. As children of leprosy afflicted parents, they have to see their parents loose fingers or limbs and be outcast from society. Others have had parents die or commit suicide. But these are some of the happiest kids I know. They have hope and I have hope for them.

I’ve seen one woman who was beaten by husband, became partially paralyzed, and has a sunken in eye bring tears to our eyes. She gives what little food she has to the birds and love to all she meets. I’ve seen people with so little and so much suffering create beautiful pieces of art, make us laugh, and teach us true happiness.

I have told people before, but I am excited when in the next life I get to talk with these people again. When we can communicate without language barriers. I want to hear their wise words and mortal experiences. They will have become so strong, patient, and compassionate. I have seen extremes in suffering as I’ve met some of the noblest humans.

Michael Wilcox continued on to say, “When we see others suffer, compassion, empathy, and love are born in our hearts. When I think of India I think of love. I love the children and their beautiful black eyes, I love those with leprosy and serving them, I love the locals I got to talk with, I love the volunteers I have spent the last two plus weeks with. I’m grateful for the suffering I have seen and the characteristics it has pulled from me. I hope to keep these memories with me always.

Bharatapuram

We did medical again! This time at the Old Folks Home in the nearby colony. Don’t cringe, that is the actual name. I did wound care and wrapping with Kirsten and the Indian nurse again. I love medical days. I’ve had to learn to communicate with the patients without any words. The bobble head is usually the key. I’m not going to lie, I am pretty good at it. It got bad when we ran out of gloves. So, we just alcohol swabbed our gloves in between patients… it felt like a bad idea, but it was the best we could do.

The other members of the group washed feet, took blood pressures, and checked blood glucose levels. It was a busy morning with lots of people meeting with the doctor. The patients are so cute, especially when they try to butt in line or bring their little old shampoo bottles to refill with ointment. RSO has it set up that for medical care and supplies they pay 2 rupees (about 5 cents). That way it is not a free handout and but is still affordable to these people. Going along with what we learned in school about humanitarian work, when people pay for things, they take better care of it and themselves.

Yesterday I had to be “mean auntie”. We did talent classes again and this time I did bead bracelets. It didn’t even cross my mind that instead of sitting down and putting beads on a bracelet I would be monitoring the supplies. From the little girl's upbringing, they were taught to take as much as they can get. I had to always be checking their water cups and skirts for extra supplies- beads and string. They were constantly begging for more and had no desire to actually sit down and make jewelry. I didn’t actually care if all the beads were gone, but I don't think its okay to teach them to sneak and hide. They have been taught better here at school. It was a hard and stressful class. One girl cried for 15 minutes when another girl turned in her whole box of beads and string. Coaching taught be that sometimes I have to be stern…. or mean auntie.

We stopped at the junction yesterday, a small shopping center close to the hostel. I followed another girl's lead to buy handmade “sweets”. After eating them, we heard how they were made (with bad water, dirty hands, around flies). All night we were worried that we would be sick or get worms. So far, so good though.

Its crazy how fast time has gone. Only one more work day! It will be sad to say goodbye to all the children. I’ve just decided to pretend I am coming back.

Shakti

Shakti= power.

It was the last day for construction and we "left it all in India". The kids have a patch of grass they have to run around if they misbehave. Today the goal was to build a track for them. Thus, we had to dig the inside and the outside border to lay bricks in. It was sooo hot and exhausting. We are just hoping it does not rain and fill back in! And im pretty sure we will all have blisters.

The kids were so funny this afternoon. I taught them how to do headstands and most of them just fell on their backs. I throw one kid up and he jumps on my shoulders. Martha has to spot him or else he might fall to his head. We had one close call...

delhi

I am back from Delhi and it was a blast! The journey was long (12 hours between the bus ride to the airport, flight, and bus to Aggra) for the three days we were gone. But, it was worth it.

In Delhi we first went to where Ghandi spent the last couple months of his life before he was assassinated. The place was beautiful and I need to learn more about Ghandi. The best part of the day was the rickshaw ride. A man peddled Brittani and I around in a little carriage. It was the equivalent of two dollars for a two hour ride. He took us through Old Delhi where we got to see thousands of people, shops, spices and bling. We also got a tour of a Jainism temple. The rickshaw ride was wild and we got hit (slight bumps) a few times. These scrawny guys are pretty strong to bike us around for so long. I loved the mayhem of the streets. Then… PIZZA HUT! Best cheesy bread I have ever had. Hands down.

We woke up at 5 am to go to the TAJ MAHAL. The plan was to get there before it was too hot or crowded. The tour guide told us all about the great love story/ history. It is basically the country’s symbol of love. “We have our Romeo and Juliets… but this overshadows them all.” The king built the Taj when his second wife died to honor and show his love for her. It look 17 years to build and is all marble. All the design is inlaid stone so that the beauty would last. They are now both buried in it. Its quite the sight to see. We took tons of pictures and had to fight the Indian tourists to get one on the “Princess Diana bench.” And no, we didn’t get our shoes stolen like on Slumdog Millionaire.

Aggra Fort was our next stop before rushing back for breakfast. During our break, some of us bought “swim costumes.” Yes, swim costumes. They are their take on bathing suits- equipped with a skirt, high neck, and shorts. Mine is bright colors and not flattering at all. I’m going to have to wear it back at the Tennis Club.

We did some shopping at Max’s and went to a bazaar. I got henna done on my foot and love it! The only problem was I couldn’t put my flip flops back on or it would get ruined. Thus, I walked around the dirty streets of the bazaar barefooted. I figure I’m building up my immune system. We ended the night at the disco tech. Drunk Indian dancers are hilarious.
Before the long journey back to Rising Star, we rode an ELEPHANT! The elephant was huge with spotted ears and really long hairs. It had a basket on its back that held four people. To get in, the elephant had to be kneeling and we climbed onto its back with a ladder. It was pretty random to just be riding an elephant down the street. A crowd of locals were watching us. Our director said it was probably the one elephant in Aggra.
So the trip was a success! It was crazy going from the one extreme (a leper colony) to the other (“the nicest hotel in India).”

auntie

Today was a pretty routine day of tutoring. So other exciting news:
1. I decided Nutella can't count as my protein and started eating scrambled eggs.
2. Play time today was a dance party. The kids were SO happy and I loved watching them bust some moves.
3. My roomates Michelle and Brittani tried on saris with me today. The houseladies helped us and it still took 15 mins. But they are beautiful!
4. We are leaving for Delhi in three hours! I can't wait to see the Taj and ride an elephant.

Wallajabad

"If you saw people as they saw themselves, your shyness would turn to compassion"

So, I can't get my photos to upload anymore. You all know how good I am with technology, so it might be a couple days. Until then, here is what I've been up to:

Its been raining and was nice and cool all day. I even had goosebumps! I never thought that would happen here. And, I finally got to do medical work today. We went to the colony Wallajabad. The "bad" came from being across the road from a cemetary. No one wanted that land, so they sent leprosy patients there. Another boy and I drilled Dr. Kumar on out way out there, so I'm an expert now!

There were about 4,000,000 people in India with leprosy in 2007. That number is dropping from the elderly dying and the younger ones being cured. The reason not all get treatment for the curable disease is they are uneducated. Dr. Kumar said they started showing pictures of the early signs of leprosy and instructions to get care during the preview at movies. Good idea! It takes two years before the nerve damage begins which is the irreversable part. Leprosy patients live longer than other indians (we cared for a 93 yr old woman today) which is a curse for them. They live while they lose their job, dignity, family, and function.

Another nurse and I did the dressing changes today. After their feet or other body part was washed, we cleaned it, cut off all white or calloused skin often with a blade, put ointment on it, and bandaged it up. All of the sterile field I learned in nursing was thrown out the window. Flies were everywhere and we were in the dirt. At least we had gloves. The work was really neat and I enjoyed doing it. The saddest part of the day was taking care of one man who was blind and had 4 different ulcers we worked on. 40 flies were constantly on him and he could not feel it. They would all gather in his wounds. Poor guy. And other man had not been able to close his eyes for the last 40 years. Can you imagine?

On a happier, less graphic note- for playtime we had a waterballon fight. It turned into everyone just dumping buckets of water on each other. The kids loved it and so did we. I know I am not supposed to have a favorite kid, but I do. His name is Peter (well that is his Christian name, his real name is too hard to pronounce). Every night he picks a book and cuddles up in my lap to read to me. Hes a pretty good reader too!

I'll work on getting photos up because I had some really great ones!!

Henna

Instead of moving concrete bricks, we moved sand. I felt like I was back in the sandbox again. Basically we loaded up the truck, drove it down the street, and unloaded it in some guys front yard. They have these neat shovels that work really well- I think they made them. The best part is getting orange soda afterward. I'm still so impressed with the women wearing saris that mix cement and carry load on their head.

The funniest part of the day was when this indian music started playing when we were mixing cement. It was even more confused when a indian man pulled a cell phone out of his skirt. I didn't even know they had cell phones, and I still dont known where he stored it.

I got some sweet henna on my hand tonight. Kala, one of the housemoms did it. She is the one in charge of my family and by far the most respected. She is strict, wise, nice, and quiet. I hope she was proud of herself because it looks awesome!

One girl got a letter from her sponsor today. She was reading it to me. The sponsor told her he had a large picture of her in his office. She didn't understand office so I explained it to her. The eyes lit up and she got a huge grin. I could tell she felt so special and loved.

Lad and the cat

I have been gone for a week now! Thinking back, I have done so much. Not to mention that I am just chillin in India. Its great here and I am so thankful for everyone that helped me have this opportunity. Its funny now how pulling into Rising Star feels like home.


Check me and my sweet pants out! I was pretty excited to find them in the closet this morning. I could get use to wearing these clothes.


I was on tutor duty today. We were told that the ability for a child to read English increases their chance at getting a job by 500x. We read with 10 different students for 20 minutes each. It surprised me how under reading level some of the students are. Its really hard to find good teachers here. Many of them can barely read English themselves. I enjoyed reading with them, but got frustrated sometimes. I just had to hide it and keep encouraging them. Most of them are too cute to even think of getting upset with anyway.

We each had to teach a talent class tonight to about ten students. Did I teach first aid? No. Did i teach diving? No. I painted finger nails and made beaded bracelets. haha it was a hit! Some of the colors looked so cool next to their dark skin.

Tonight- Bollywood movie party!!

Sunday

We went to church in Chennai and it was great!

Mamallapuram

After working hard (for two days) we headed out on vacation! Our bus took us to Mamallapuram. It is a small town around two hours south of Chennai. There we saw the ruins and a giant rock that no one has been able to move- including a team of oxen. It reminded me of the boulder in Lake Powell. Then we did some shopping and hit the beach! I was having withdrawls from the pool, so this hit the spot. The ocean was so warm and full of trash. We called it the India Ocean (it only seemed fitting), but I looked it up. It was technically the Bay of Bengal.


My favorite part was probably the bus ride. I am so happy just watching people out of our bus window as we pass through rural and urban cities. It so great to watch other people's way of life. At one point we were stopped for a train, and the streets became so backed up. Then it started raining! They often put three or four people on a motorcycle. I even saw one man carrying two goats on his in the colony. We got some local Indian food close to the school. YUM!


It would have been nice to have Eric or another veteran barterer around to help me get some deals. I am way too easy with the vendors. The majority of the shop owners are from Cashmere and are very nice. The rickshaw ride was not so nice. The driver was being sketchy and I felt like we were going the wrong direction. He told us he was taking us to a bar. We kind of got nervous, but he was just playing and we got there safe. Phew. I just had flashbacks of Kevin, Brandon, Jon Jon and Blue Jay in Mexico.

Moot

What a day!

We started off going to a small leprosy colony called Moot. It only had 4 men and 1 woman while we were there. We didn't do medical work, but instead healed in other ways. We danced to Jai Ho, played Jenga and dominos, and learned the life story of the people. Jraj was hilarous and animated. He taught us Indian dances, became a "supa star" with a girls glasses, pretended to be drunk, and said he was king. One man was missing a leg, another was missing all his fingers. The woman was extremely emancipatd and had a sunked eye along with other deformities. At first it was a little alarming, but by the time we left, they looked whole to me. They were so much fun and very hard working. Two of them schooled me at Jenga even without fingers! I am excited for when they get to heaven and receive perfect bodies. They are going to have amazing stories to tell and such wisdom.

We went to the children's dance program this afternoon. They did some traditional dancing and also some Michael Jackson. The little guys were the cutest! I want to learn their dance moves. At the end the children sang the Rising Star song:
I am free to be all i can be
I love life and I love being me
I can choose to let my light shine
The world is waiting
Whose turn is it? Mine!
I am a rising star (x2)
Spread the word near and far
I will live like the sun shining light
I will shine in the darkest of night
I will laugh and learn and through any strife
Live a long, happy, healthy, and loving life.

It is a perfect thing to be teaching these children. Hearing them sing it really loud was a neat experience.

I helped Karen and Cheryl (the nursing instructors), Dr. Kumar, and a doctor from St. Lazarus give immunizations to the young kids. It took a full team to hold them still and give the shots. The girls all screamed and the boys made faces and walked out with a grin. You know its a good thing I'll be a nurse when I was so excited to give shots.

Sometimes its hard to see all the saddness with leprosy, but tonight I learned something that made me feel a little better. Rising Star made a deal with some companies like Dell that outsource workers from India. If the children from rising star do well in school and graduate, they have a really good chance of getting hired. Working for those companies makes around $1200 per month. Doctors here earn $600. So, in a round about way being born as a child of a leprosy-afflicted parent could be a blessing.

We saw monkeys today! On the side of the road, eating bananas. Tomorrow we are off on a trip!

heavy lifting

We did some manual labor in the colony this morning. The goal for today was to move a huge pile of concrete bricks from one area to another. We started off doing it by hand- well head. I took note from the locals who effortlessly transported the bricks on top of their head. My head feels kind of flat now. Later in the day, a truck came that we could load up.
Jenny told us that the work that we were doing could be done faster by others, but that was not the point. Although the caste system is illegal now, the feelings and prejudice is still around. As white, Americans we are automatically seen in the highest class. The leprosy-afflicted are seen in the lowest of low class. It is meaningful to the residents to see that people in a higher class would do manual labor for them. These people are wonderful and I feel bad they have to live with an unfair stigma.
RSO set up an art school in the colony. We got to go see some of the leprosy-afflicted while they were painting. They were actually pretty good; I might buy some and bring them home! The neat part is many of them did not have all of their fingers or did not have full vision. Their artwork is a way they can help sustain themselves.

I feel like I have lice. The majority of the young girls have it, so their hair is cut short. The kids just run up and jump all over you. I can just feel the lice jumping from their hair to mine.

PS- tell Carly I met her sponsor. He was so excited to tell me all about her.

TII

TII= This is India, a phrase commonly used by Americans here when something is strange or does not go as planned. It is usually accompanied by a fist to the sky.

We made it to RSO (Rising Start Outreach) this afternoon. After we tried to sleep, we got up and had our last real breakfast and shower. Then we boarded a bus and drove for three hours. It was actually really fun to watch out the window. Its an odd mix of old and new here. A car will be riding next to a cart pulled by animals. Cows are roaming the streets. Women wear their cultural attire and men wear normal clothes or a loincloth. Bikes and motorcycles are all over the place with people honking every five seconds.

This place is almost as hot as Jerusalem. Who knew you could work up a sweat playing badmitton? Luckily we get to wear the cooler (in both senses of the word) Kurtas. After orientation, we got to meet the kids! They are just as cute as I imagined. They all come running up and ask "What is your name? What is your name?" One of the girl's name is also Tricia so we instantly bonded haha.

For dinner we ate of off banana leaves with forks optional. Before bed we do homework or read with our "family." I was assigned with the boys around 8 years old. Tonight we did multiplication and read poems. When it was time for bed, the boys pulled some straw matts off the shelves and put them on the concrete floor and instantly knocked out. Probably 12 little boys slept right on the floor in an area 6ft by 8ft. The boys are smart and loving. Their favorite is to take your camera and snap pictures.

Today was a lot to take in, but its great here. There is so much to learn and understand about the culture. The kids are so adorable. Our group seems like it will be fun. Tomorrow I get to take my first bucket shower and improve my squatter toilet skills.

I'm in India!!

Yes, we made it in one piece all the way to the other side of the planet. We are currently 12.5 hours time difference from SLC…. Something about India having its own time zone. The flights were long. SLC to Chicago (3 hrs), Chicago to Brussels (8 hrs), and Brussels to Chennai (10 hrs). In the last three days I slept probably 8 hours, but I feel pretty good. My clock was pretty off and I went to the gym at 3 am haha. We leave to the school in the morning.

On my last flight, I sat next to a man who was born in India but moved to the US when he was four. He was super nice and gave me some tips for my time in India. They included getting use to poor hygiene and bad smells. Dad, you were right about no one wearing deodarant. There are some strange smells here (most are not good or bad, just very different).

Well, all went smoothly. I met some girls in the airport to travel with. It would have been kind of scary by myself. We even got all of our luggage! Funny enough, two of my nursing instructors are here at Rising Star Outreaching feeling it out for N400 next summer. I wrote during fall and said we should go to India… I guess I was just one year too late.

My luggage is full of things I have never taken while traveling before: malaria medication, just six white “walmart tees”, two huge bags of cereal, work gloves, peanut butter/jelly, bug repellant, and anti-lice shampoo. All of which will come in very handy.


Quick lesson on Leprosy FYI:
Also called Hansen’s disease, it is mildly contagious. It is characteraized by nerve damage, skin disfigurement, and body sores due to the lack of nerves. It affects primarily the poorest people, especially those found in India, South America, and Africa. The disease is not very contagious and requires prolonged, intimate contact for it to spread. Although with proper drug treatment the disease is curable, the stigma associated with it is very detrimental. Those with the disease often deny infection and put off treatment as long as possible to avoid becoming ostracized. They lose their jobs, become alienated by their families, and can be legally confined to a leprosarium.

I'm going to India!!

Hello to my fellow family and friends!!

I am SO excited to be going to India this August, 2010! I've always been drawn to India but didn't expect to ever go. I had two friends go last summer and they had only the best to report on their experiences. Now its my turn and I can't wait.

I will be volunteering in India through Rising Star Outreach (www.risingstaroutreach.org). Check them out for more information! We will be working with Leprosy patients and their families near a leprosy colony outside Chennai, India. I will be spending nearly three weeks teaching children English and computer skills, assisting at the medical centers, and doing other projects that arise during my time there. This work is slowing reconnecting the outcast leprosy community with the rest of society again.

Leprosy in India is considered a curse. Those who contract the disease are outcast from society and are often consigned to remote leprosy colonies where they have no choice but to beg for their survival. Rising Star Outreach helps these families by educating their children, offering medical treatment, and using micro-credit. Thus giving parents a way to go from begging on the streets to becoming self-sufficient.

I anticipate an amazing adventure full of loving and applying some of "the healer's art" that I have been learning in the BYU nursing program.