Village Visit

Today I was finally able to go home with a few of the students who don't stay at the hostel. I've had permission for over a week, but the eye problems set me back. I walked home with one family after the school bell rang ending our day.

I went to one of my 5th standard girls' house first. I don't know what I was expecting, certainly not much from the time I've spent here in India so far. Even so, I was still surprised to come to three small huts about the size of an American closet (not the walk-in kind!) joined in the middle by a blue tarp. The sleeping cots were outside under the tarp as they were too large to fit in any of the three huts. The whole arrangement looked similar to something I constructed in my bedroom as a child during playtime. To take a picture with the children standing at full height, we had to stand just outside the tarp.

What I have the hardest time wrapping my mind around, is the fact that these two children were hostel students a month before. She was so excited when she told me they were living in their own home and she didn't have to stay at the school full-time anymore. In my mind I had always pictured that the students who ride the bus to our school every morning are coming from American style homes. I realize this was a foolish thought, but it's where my mind went. Not living in the hostel meant, well-off. In all reality, there are only a handful of people in all of India who are "well-off."

Next, I went to the home of 3 of my other students. One 3rd standard, one 5th, and one 8th. These sisters live in a home with their younger brother, older sister, mother and grandparents. It was a little larger than the first home and had cement walls. We could all fit inside and stand straight. Basically, their belongings consisted of clothes, school items, cooking utensils, and a few pictures of their father who passed away. When I think about my house in comparison, I am disgusted in the way I live. If they can live happily day by day as they do, there is so much in my home that is just waste. I have more in my room here in India than they have in their entire house. In fact, my room here is larger than their house. But don't get me wrong, the size, material, and contents of the house don't matter. These families have a great home filled with love and simple pleasures. I would be happy to spend the rest of my time here living in the villages.

While there, their mother made me coffee and purchased cake at the village shop. I felt bad eating with so many children around, but they were so happy to serve me and wouldn't let me share my piece. The way these people would give the shirt off their back without even flinching is inspiring. I hope to show such hospitality to everyone who enters my home.

We spent the rest of my time there touring the village, playing games, and dancing to the radio. That two hours spent in the village was one of my best experiences so far. I hope to go with several more students before the year ends.