|
|
 |
December
2010 - January 2011
|
|
|
The Calcutta Journal is a communal
Journal of our experience in Kolkata visiting our Project at the Sree Durga dump, which currently provides
43 children with schooling, and has extended into their community to provide emergency medical funds, mosquito nets, Tarpaulins,
and more. Dr. Mar Peter-Raoul, a professor at Marist College, and Christopher Ratan Das, our Indian liason, are
Project-keepers of the Sree Durga Project. Entries follow by each member of the team here in Kolkata - 12/27
- 1/18. Jorden Eck, team member
|
|
Team-on-the-ground: Mar, Colin Larnerd, Jorden Eck,
and Natasha Kubik (and hopefully Felix Santiago, adult student, Social Work Major at Marist College)
Solidarity-Team: Friends, Marist colleagues, Family,
Beloved Community Members & Supporters, and our 4-member team.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mar
|
Welcome! Outside the YWCA where we are staying, we are thrilled to just now stumble on the
children in this picture - Jorden took the picture on our trip summer 2007. At that time, we were
with Marist Campus Minister Jamie Williams and our translator, former Word Views and Values student Diya Wadhwa.  We are happy to
connect up again with the little kids. Leaving a restaurant, we see them on the street begging with their
mother whose arms now hold a younger sister. They have an older brother, Sayhil, whom we also
got to know during summer 2007. I didn’t realize the fraternal connection at that time. Below
is a picture that Jorden took of Sayhil that captures his spirit As soon as we see the mother and kids again we will give them a copy of
the picture. Summer ‘07, Sayhil hung out with Jorden, Colin, and Josiah (grandsons), teens
at that time from the beloved community house in Binghamton, NY. With me this
trip to Calcutta (my 4th, as Co-ProjectKeeper of the Marist Praxis Project for Public/Global Citizenship) are beloved
community members Natasha, Jorden, and Colin (Natasha, a close member of the beloved community, just finished her studies
at Broome Community College, and is deciding how best to prepare for a humanitarian life; Jorden, presently at BCC, accompanied
me to Haiti last May/June, and is Keeper of the beloved community house; and Colin, at SUNY Oneonta, is leaving for a South
Korea study abroad in February). Marist College adult student Felix Santiago, Social Work major,
tells me he will make his own way to meet us here. The rough format of this Journal will
alternate Journal entries by team members and possibly passers-by.  |
|
|
|
Natasha
|
Namaskar! My name is Natasha Kubik. I am 20 years
old and just a student trying to make a difference and find her place in this world. This is my first time coming to Kolkata
or even just India. For someone who can sometimes be a little over-compulsive about cleaning, like I am, it was very good
to be exposed to a place like Kolkata. It is very loud, busy and very dirty. This morning at around 5:30, I got up to
go to the bathroom. When I turned on the light and went into the stall A BIG FAT RAT jumped out right in front of my feet
and ran out!! I FREAKED!!!
|
|
|
|
Jorden
|
Hello I'm Jorden, I'm nineteen and a student at Broome
Community College in Binghamton, New York. I've been to Kolkata once before in 2007. I support many "Hippie" ideals,
such as Peace, Love, and action. Our New
Year's celebration at the dump was awesome, Christopher danced of course, and it was very lively. There's an
enormous amount of energy in that community, I'm not sure how many people were there last night there were at least 45 who
stopped by. They had flowers and each of us got a bunch, it was great! The World Thinkers and Poets Peace Meet concluded yesterday, and we were blessed enough to
be delegates. For the International Philosophers for Peace, part of the Meet, we presented a communal paper discussing the
ideals of a beloved community, recognizing the potential each individual has to change the world, giving examples out of our
experience in the beloved community, and stressing the importance of compassionate action by each individual in
society. If just talking about ideals without action, no change will come. We met many wonderful people during the Peace
Meet, International Law expert Eugenia Almand, Dr. Santi Nath Chattapadhyah, Dr. Patricia Murphy, Dr. Glen Martin, Sumit
(who helped us find the Conference), and others. Here is a picture of Patricia Murphy while visiting the dump in 2008:
 We're meeting old friends and new friends in the area around the Y.W.C.A. Many people have gone in the 3 years since I saw
them, but the core families are entirely the same, some sleeping in the exact same places as before. I have financial troubles
trying to resolve the enormous need in this area while also trying to develop projects among the Sree Durga kids. Im sure
everything will work out for the best! Here's a picture of me holding one of the little kids in 2007.
|
|
|
|
Colin
|
Hello! My name is Colin Larnerd and I'm currently studying at SUNY Oneonta as an International Studies major. I came
here to Kolkata with MaMa, Natasha, and Jorden knowing some of the ropes, as I experienced India twice before. However nothing
could prepare me for the experiences I've had on this trip so far. Here is a picture of me in 2007 with some kids who live
in the dump.
Getting to Kolkata was a challenge. But once we finally stepped foot on Indian soil, I noticed everything coming
back to me. The hustle and bustle of the people going down the street, the bumpy, loud, and horn-honking filled taxi ride
(which is quite a fun, yet sometimes scary experience), people walking on the left side of the street (along with the cars,
which is the opposite in the USA), and for me, sticking out with fair skin and blonde hair, having a constant feeling that
I'm being watched by people who apparently don't often see many foreigners. However these few differences I have mentioned
are just the beginning of what India and Kolkata is truly like.
When I walk out of the YWCA, I immediately notice the change in atmosphere from the quiet courtyard of the Y to the sound
of horns honking as kids, mothers, and men on crutches come up to me asking for food and money. Sometimes I can buy them
some food but other times I can't. But whenever I give someone something, I feel a sense of joy that I'm making a difference
in someone's life. Matthew 6:3-4; "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your
right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward
you."
Our focus for coming to Kolkata is a project called the Sree Durga/Calcutta Children's Project which began in 2007 when
MaMa, Jorden, Josiah, Diya, Jamie, and myself came and stayed for a month. Christopher Das is the man behind the project because
if it wasn't for him, this project would suffer immensely. Our first visit to the dump this year on New Year's Eve was great
because it allowed us to meet the families and sort of reintroduce ourselves. We were led to a wagon where we piled in and
sat while everyone gathered around us. We started taking pictures of the kids and it was an instant hit. Everyone loved having
their picture taken and wanted to see how it turned out after. Natasha, Jorden, and I did our best to ask the kids questions
that we had memorized in Bengali. 'Tomar nam ki?'- 'What is your name?', 'Apnar boyo koto?'- 'How old are you?', etc. After
eating some food with them, attempting to memorize names, and taking a whole lot of pictures, we said our goodbyes and left.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mar
|
Friday evening, spending
New Year’s Eve with the folks at the Sree Durga dump, was a rare, memorable moment. Maybe all the
more since just getting to Calcutta was a series of ordeals – late flight, missed flight, rerouted flight, long layovers,
finally arriving two full days after departing and no luggage showing up – for any of us. The first
thing we had to do was to find the International Philosophers for Peace Conference at which I was to give a paper and Colin,
Jorden, and Natasha together were giving their first-ever Conference paper (over which they had worked and delighted for weeks).
The location was a complex of buildings from one end of a block to the other. We saw big announcements
of the Conference, but nothing gave directions to where in the complex it was being held. The kids went
all around, in one building after another. After 4 hours I was ready
to give up. As I sat on a stone seat surrounding a tree near one of the wide posters re: the Conference,
women, one after another, each holding a child, approached begging. Across from me on another stone
seat, a young man and woman were eating something that looked easy to order. I asked the man if he would
order the same food for the woman and children at that moment in front of me, and gave him a bill for 500 rupees.
He went to order the food. But he came back and said that the eatery did not have change.
I didn’t have anything smaller to offer him, so I just gave the money to the woman. A nice
young Indian man, Sumit, sitting near-by tried to help us locate the Conference. We gave him the only
numbers we had, and he called them – to no avail. We tried everything we could think of but had to
give up. Just then Jorden came running up to us and said, “I just saw Chattapadhyay” [organizer]!
Elated, we gathered up our things, exchanged names and addresses with Sumit, and finally found the Conference.
It was 2 p.m. and we had been there since 10 a.m. A few more small ordeals, but we gave our papers,
followed by an unexpected Poets' Reading. Below is a picture of Dr. Glen Martin, President of the International Philosophers
for Peace, and me. We each had a poem in a book on Peace Poetry recently published by Dr. Santi Nath
Chattapadhyay, professor emeritus of the University of Calcutta. He insisted that we stay and read our
poems. Glen's poem was compelling - about all the children of the world. Christopher was waiting outside
with a taxi, but I read my poem after several other poets read theirs, all the while feeling quite conflicted. Finally I left
the Meet with Natasha, Colin, and Jorden, and with Christopher sped to the Sree Durga dump where the people were waiting
for us.
|
| Mar and Dr. Glen Martin |
|
|
|
|
Natasha
|
This afternoon we took the children to the Maiden
(a park in Kolkata.) We hurried over to find all the children in their best clothes sitting in a circle waiting
for us. When we got there, they sat us down in the middle and introduced themselves to us. We asked them how old they
were and what they liked to do for fun. Of course, Christopher translated everything for us. But it was so great connecting
with them. For lunch we passed out 2 slices of bread, a hard boiled egg, and a banana, all of which Christopher boiled himself!
The kids had so much fun laughing and talking. They are truly special because although having very little, they sure know
how to find joy in life. After the kids finished we ran around and tickled each other (during which we found out they have
a lot of energy!) After an afternoon of fun, they got into the big truck that brought them back to the dump.
|
|
|
|
Jorden
|
This is Jubeta and her awesome son, Paruk Sik, She
is one of the women living on the streets around the YWCA which Jamie Williams purchased Sarees for in 2007. She has four
children and unfortunately remains in a physically abusive relationship with her husband, who's an alcoholic. She
was very excited to see MaMa and all of us again. Her son is very cute, and I was disheartened to find out he is not able
to attend school. There's so much need on every single block here, its overwhelming. Paruk Sik did this Peace sign
on his own:
|
|
|
|
Colin
|
Today we had the opportunity to get to know the people better. Christopher worked his magic and rented a colorful
truck that all the people could fit in. He brought everyone to the Maiden (a huge park with open fields) while Jorden, Natasha,
and I walked to the park where we found Christopher and the families.
Christopher was so great and had everything so organized! First we went around and met each individual, asking them
their name and a few simple questions to the kids. As I met eyes with everyone, I was pleased by the smiles they
gave me whenever they saw me looking back. Then Christopher had us hand out food to everyone and blow up balloons for the
kids to play with. All the while we were taking pictures too. Once done eating, a tickle fight between us and the kids started
and we all began chasing one another around! They were all so funny and cute! When we were overtaken by the little kids, Christopher
had some of the teens begin dancing which we were then pulled into. But after some embarrassing attempts to freestyle, it
was really fun :] Eventually we all made our way to the big truck where everyone piled in the back. We all said goodbye
and watched them drive off, back to the dump they have to live in. The day was so valuable to me because it really gave me
a chance to get to know the people personally. I'm hoping to be able to name as many people as I can by the time we leave.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mar
|
I want to recognize those who made it possible for us to bring resources to Christopher and the folks at the Sree Durga
dump, without whom we could never give critical help and send so many of the kids to school. Marist students, public praxis
minors Samantha Tobia and Matthew Wilk, held a Coffee Café during the fall semester with an Open-mic to raise funds
for the Sree Durga Project, an extension of the Calcutta Children's Project. Marist faculty and staff, and family and friends
contributed to the Project, as well. The Project's beneficiaries are as much we who have the rare privilege to be let into
the lives of the world's poorest people, to view the world from the angle of those who bear the consequences of socio-economic
and political policies, self-interested or otherwise, especiallly oppressive economic sructures, both national and
global (oppressive for the poor, that is). Our Project Keeper here in Calcutta, Christopher Ratan Das (schooled by the
Sisters, going on to work with Mother Teresa), has gone beyond anything we imagined at the outset from sending a few kids
to school from the dump to now 43 kids (with 5 waiting to go) in school and meeting critical needs - from life-threatening
illnesses to taking kids outside the dump to show them a larger world. A further word on New Year's Eve.
When we arrived, the sweeping corner dump right in the midst of the City was swept clean with a pile of large bags stored
around the back wall. A colorful, large, square, clean cloth was stretched on the ground. Another clean cloth
lined the wagon used to haul trash. We arrived across the street where the taxi let us out. Almost immediately,
Kamini (the mother with whom I first felt a current of connection) was at my side, firmly taking my arm and leading me
across the street to the wide entrace of the dump. We were surronded by everyone - all with wide smiles. The young
women all had babies in their arms, and everyone had bunches of flowers with which to shower us. We
were led to the wagon and gestured to climb in - this was our royal seating. The wagon was completely surrounded
with kids all wanting their picture taken. The older folks were close behind them, wanting their pictures taken, as
well. The mothers put their babies in our arms. I held this 2-week-old baby (I think she was 2-weeks
old) who was light and lovely. A swaddling blanket was wrapped around her. Her mother beamed! I
felt immensely blessed - a spiritual moment given by the light of the universe.
|
| Dr. Patricia Murphy and Mar listening to Christopher at the dump |
| Here is Christopher with two kids from the dump |
|
A case in point: yesterday, Thursday, Christopher received a call from the dump. A baby was becoming very bloated.
Christopher went right away to the dump and in a taxi took the baby and mother to the government hospital (the only place
street people can go for medical help). The baby was admitted but only the mother could stay with her. I don't know the outcome
yet, but I know of other crises, for example, one for which Christopher bought medicine, and a child got better. One and a
half years ago, a 14 year-old-girl was pregnant and too small to deliver the child. Over 100,000 women a year die during
childbirth in India. Alanna Henenberry, a Marist pre-med student with emergency training, including delivering babies,
was in Calcutta in May 2009 with the Project and met Lalita, the young mother. Through Christopher, Alanna kept in close contact
making valuable suggestions for the young mother's care. It turned out that an emergency C-section was required. Christopher
appealed to everyone he could think of to raise the 6000 rupees needed for the operation. It was still touch-and-go for both
the mother and the little girl. Now they are doing well. A happy development is that Lalita is joining other older teen girls
to start vocational training in the village (more about the village in a later entry). Here is a picture of three young women
from the dump for whom Christopher arranged vocational sewing classes ($50. a month for each one, for 3 months). This means
they will have an alternative to sorting garbage for the rest of their lives (later the story of how Christopher got them
accepted in the program, as being "untouchables" they could not come onto the grounds, let alone enter the establishment,
nor, God forbid, take the training). The young woman on the left in the picture recently found an orphan girl abandoned
on the street. She took her in and is taking care of her as her own. (With mixed emotions, I relate this - better to be cared
for lovingly than left on the street; but taken into a life of sorting garbage in the dump.) Maybe we can alter this stark
alternative by sending the little girl to school
 |
|
|
|
Natasha
|
|
|
|
Mar Christopher is meeting with me and has brought
a packet of letters and drawings that the kids have made. One of the drawings is of an elephant lifting logs and
putting them under a tree. I am impressed, still being in the stick phase myself. There are several
pictures in the style of this one - with a kind of sweeping brush for the ground and sky that conveys something more than
just background. The parts of the picture hang together in a kind of aesthetic whole. I want to find
out who the young artist is. We brought disposable cameras for the youth and they are ecstatic taking pictures.
See the five pictures to the right taken by one of the young photographers. I
am especially pleased that Christopher has made a biographical sheet on each child. The child's picture
in color is attached to the upper left corner. Biographical information follows the name with questions about what the
young person likes to do, what level in school, what his or her mother and father do (two are rickshaw pullers, one a farmer,
one mother a domestic). These pages are such a help in getting to better know the kids. Last year we were
hoping that interested folks would sponsor the kids. This never happened. But just a few weeks ago my friend
(we were 8-year-olds together!), Nan, sent me a donation from her grandson, Liam, 11-years-old, to go to one of the kids.
He is hoping that one of them will be a pen-pal to him. The $66.00 accompanying the pen-pal request will
pay for a whole year's schooling with money left over for paper, crayons, & postage. Christopher who knows
all the kids very well is going to pick the pen-pal for Liam. The beauty of the donation is that by sponsoring schooling
other kids will not feel left out. But the funds will mean that one more kid from either the dump or the Village will
be able to go to school. There are school reports
as well. The subjects studied include Bengali, Mathematics, subjects: Bhogole, Itihash,Bijuan (each preceded with
the words Paribesh Parichiti), and English. I will ask Christopher to translate the unfamiliar words. I don't
think any of the kids have gotten very far in learning English. At least I don't hear anyone speaking English in greeting
us. Jorden has made flash cards translating Bengali into English. He is determined to learn Bengali enough
to say simple things to the kids. In fact, he made a copy of the flash cards for all four of us. Natasha
and Colin are learning right along with Jorden, and I hear them use Bengali words with each other, with the kids at the
dump, and with the workers here at the Y. They are stymied talking with the workers in the evening. With
all their effort no one seems to understand them. But everyone keeps trying - on both sides, the workers working hard
at getting their points across and trying to understand the kids' Bengali. I ask Christopher if I can visit the kids' school. He says, yes, though the kids are taking
end of term exams. Then they have a winter vacation that coincides with one of their major festivals. Before
leaving the States, I e-mailed Marist faculty, Dr. Jan Stivers, asking what I should observe when visiting the kids' classes.
I certainly asked the right person. She wrote back to look for the "teacher's efforts to actively engage students
in learning...with eye contact, lots of questions, lots of opportunities for students to respond, physical proximity, warmth
and enthusiasm, variety in the tasks assigned." She also mentioned high expectations for appropriately challenging
goals, concluding, "[T]here are many ways to teach well - but almost all of them require that students be active...in
the process of learning." At the side of this entry are drawings,
earlier pictures that Christopher made of some of the kids at the dump, the 5 pictures just taken this week by the
youth-photographer at the dump, and other pictures with captions.
|
| Three brothers from the Sree Durga dump in 2005 |
|
| The three brothers from the dump in January 2011 |
|
| Maddy-Maye, Jacob, Cameron, and Caleb contributed a flute to each of he kids at the dump and village |
|
| Drawings by young artist |
|
| some of the children at the Sree Durga dump |
|
| following 5 pictures taken by a Sree Durga youth |
|
| Children lay baby inside sidewalk shrine |
|
| Sree Durga children at village in school uniforms |
|
| The village is very poor without clean water |
| More pictures of children at the Sree Durga dump |
|
| Girl with picture colored on street outside YWCA |
|
| Three girls with new shoes from Christopher-right |
|
| Girl writing in village |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jorden
|
Today a waiter refused to give us extra to go boxes because he knew it was for distribution to untouchables, its like an
unspoken rule here, don't help them, don't acknowledge them, don't associate with them, "they're getting what they deserve"
is the rationale behind ignoring those in desperate need. Today we made ribbons for the kids, cool but messy and monotonous.
We met an awesome stray cat living in and around the Y, his name is Peter and we're gonna befriend him.
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Eugenia Almand,
an expert on International Law, a key member of the Provisional World Parliament (related to the International Philosophers
for Peace), and Executive Director of the Institute on World Problems, is staying at the Y for a few days before heading
back to the States. She meets Christopher tonight and wants to visit the dump before leaving later tomorrow.
Christopher tells her that he will pick her up at 7:30 in the morning and they will eat breakfast with the folks at the dump. At 7:30 Christopher is here at the Y to pick up Eugenia. It does not take her long
to connect to the kids and the older women crowding around her. She has a ready smile for each person she talks
with, and it is no different toward those living at the dump. She is genuinely interested in them and
promises to see them again when she is in Kolkata. They eat the special bread Christopher has brought for the occasion
of Eugenia's visit, and the 80 eggs he boiled through the night on his one burner. With bananas, the folks have one
of Christopher's "nourishments." Back at the Y, Eugenia explains to
Natasha, Colin, and Jorden the history and aspirations of the World Pariliament, the just world the Parliament aims toward
and how it can happen.  |
|
|
|
Jorden
|
Today we had the pleasure of having a long conversation with Dr. Eugenia Almand. She is just an extraordinary person, working so hard to further the cause of the Earth Federation, which seeks to unite the world under a single constitution, in an effort to create a
stable long-lasting peace for everyone.. She really put forth a great
case for the idea, and to me, their model seems like a much better gameplan for society than we've got going right now. Check
out http://www.radford.edu/gmartin/ to learn more about it. We had a really fun time with Jaffar, "Micheal", and Afsar tonight under a huge banyon tree growing out of the pavement. We all sat there and colored, It was fun. Even though
Afsar and Jaffar are in their early teens they both enjoyed coloring
books so much. It was amazing to see such childlike innocence &
joy coming from these young men who have had to endure so much.
|
|
|
|
Natasha
There are so many homeless dogs here in Kolkata... The
people here don't believe in Euthanasia so the dogs just suffer. To survive they eat crows, rats and garbage. They are
all really skinny and in need of a lot of love. It is so sad!! :( We also found a lot of really cute puppies.
|
|
|
|
Jorden
|
Today we walked from the Y.W.C.A. to the Mother Teresa house, it was definitely a ways. Dr. Murphy led the way, somehow
coordinating through many side streets and turns. Along the way we ran into a woman we know named Soni, she is a mother of
four living in the area around Park St. She had her two youngest with her, Sayid (the same wide-eyed boy in Mama's first post)
and Api, just a baby. She was in need of formula for Api, so we went to a local pharmacy. While we were paying I noticed that
Soni's cell phone rang, which seemed a little out of place. there are actually many people living on the street who have cell
phones, surprisingly enough, because they're really cheap here. During the
walk to the mother house we went down some rough streets, it was more personal than passing by in a taxi, we met some great
people.
|
|
|
|
Mar
|
I am meeting with Christopher
to continue going over the records. I see that every month the expenditures come to a little more
than we manage to send him. I want Christopher to have something for himself –
at least out of the small allotment I send him myself each month. But he is unconcerned. I
think he is living out a vow of poverty in the spirit of Mother Teresa, and says simply, “God will provide.
We just have to pray.” My original thought was simply to send the kids at this corner dump to school and give
them a chance. I learned that this meant school fees, uniforms, shoes, study materials, and a breakfast
each day. At first Christopher estimated that it would cost $400.00 to send 20 kids to school for the year.
But he underestimated. The fees are about $3.00 each a month, and that is not counting books and
study materials, nor the other necessary items. So conservatively, each child costs around $50.00 a year.
Still, when you consider the enormous difference an education means for lives consigned to a dump heap,
I can’t begin to say how much I appreciate those who contribute to this venture. Below
is a picture of boys in their new school uniforms.
Christopher
gives me a whole packet of drawings, report cards, and notes. Many of the notes are from school children from both
the dump and the village. Everyone in India seems to come from an ancestral village. Even the waiters at Flurrey's
(around the corner from the Y, where we eat frequently) talk about visiting their villages. So Christopher has simply
enarged his care. Many of the people stay and work at the dump. and some cycle back and forth. The
village is very poor, no clean water nor jobs, but green and a relief from the dump. Some of the notes were
dictated to Christopher, and some were written in Bengali with Christopher writing the translation.
A number of the notes are "written" by a father or a mother and signed with a thumb print. Here are
some excerpts:
"I Pinky Halder. I stay at the dump. I am 14 hears old. I love my drawing.
I want to go to see village scenery. When you all coming, I make a couple of drawings to give you. I
have received toiletries regular. i love soap. I like biscuits....I was happy to get new clothe from doctor alanna.
Love you all. Thanks....."
"I am Lalita's Uncle
[Lalita is in the picture below, one of the kids at the dump whom Josiah and Colin got to know, our first
time in Calcutta and staying in the Sree Durga hotel across from the dump]. I have two daughter and one son. All
go to school. I work at the dump. we received all kind of thing from brother Christopher. I am happy
to know you all. My children love to go to school. I always get school fees, stationaries & dry fruits.
When you all coming again? My family and children would love to say hello to you all. May God bless you all again.
Thanks...."
"I am Raju who work
at the dump here. lost my father recently. At the time of my grief brother Christopher stand by and give me a
lots of helped. Which is really appreciated by us. You all are very good human being. Thanks...."
" "I Tumpa received a sum of Rs/300...from brother Christopher for my daughter treatment. I always
get vitamin and nourishment drink for my daughter. My daughter often get sick. My niece received her educational thing
to go to school. She is happy for that. Love - thank you all...."
"I am an orphan boy. Staying at
the dump. I am very glad to know you and Uncle Christopher. He is always ready to helped. At present I set
up a small shop at the side of dump. selling many things to earn the money. I often takes money from Uncle.
I like the instrument played byTom [Tom visited the people in 2009 - see 2009 Newsletter on Global Projects page].
Thanks...."
"I
am Lalita's elder brother. I do remember in the year 2005 at the very first time, when you all came and staying at Sree
Durga hotel. I played a game with Joe, Colin.... How are they? I am fine. I am helping to my
mother and sister sometime. Please do come again. Love you all. Thanks - KHAKHAN" [he is
the elder boy in the picture above of the three brothers in 2005 and also in 2011]
"Hello! I am Pompa. I am saying
that you all very good people. we never thought of getting helped from you all. We praying for you all.
i love to go to school. I love drawing, music, and cartoon film. thank - Love - Pompa"
"I son was suffering for a malnutrition
and I have asked to help to Uncle a couple of time. And I was granted so, I thanks to you all for doing such a
good job. May God bless you all. I am lucky to have you all. Love to you all. Thanks"
"I
have received a sum of Rs 500...on account of my medicine. From Christopher Uncle on 19/4/09 on Monday. I shall
be grateful for that, and would like to thank you all to do such wonderful work for us. We never dream of that. person
like us was staying at the dump and having very hard time - may God bless - Thanks"
"I am Tufan Makhal. I have received a small amount for myself, as well as for my children
education fees per month regularly...I am grateful for that. I would like to say thank you all and love from our bottom
of heart. My children like to go to school regularly. My son and daughter is fine. I explain to Brother
Christopher in Bengali (my own language) to express my feeling. Thanking you all."
"I would like to say hello to you all. I received my wife medicine money as well as
for her nourishment too. Brother Christopher is very nice person. We all like you to come again. My wife
said she want to go to your place. How you all very fair complexion than us. we are black due to weather....We
are fine here. I often get sick. Thank you so much. Love...."
"I Ronojit Devnath.
I love to go to school. Part time I give my helpful hand to pick up rag and i want to help my family. I enjoyed
the village tour last year - 09. I remember the "Joke" called Jump Honey. I am getting helped always.
We are happy with Uncle Christopher. He is very strict sometime and remind me to go to school regularly and homework
to do. Thank you mama, Love...." [in 2009 I was in Calcutta with Alanna, and with the parents
of Jorden and Josiah. Tom (playing the mandolin) and Heather leading singing and giving all the kids a small instrument.
We all visited the Village with many of the people from the dump. As we were leaving, pulled in a wagon by
a bicycle, Tom came running to catch up with the wagon. Heather called out to him as he caught up, "Jump Honey."
Tom jumped on the wagon and we all spilled up in the air and landed on the road. The road was lined with many
people from both the dump and village. When we flew into the air, everyone was dead silent holding their
breath. When I lifted my head from the road and laughed, and they saw that we were all right, a
big roar of laughing broke out. This has been a running joke with Christopher and the people. Just saying
"jump-honey" sends everyone into gales of laughing.]
"I
am here to know you all. I have taken money to purchase my daily meal, as well as for my medical treatment.
How are you all. I wrote my feeling in my language and as told to Brother Christopher, he called you mama. We
called mama to our Mother. I had laugh when you all fall from the rickshaw. It is very sad, but could not control my
laugh. I remember your son-in-law jumped and its turned over. i still know the word called Jump-Honey. Thanks.
PARUL 5/2/2010"
"This is my second letter to you all. Christopher Uncle
called mama to you. We called mama to our 'Mother' in Bengali language. I am happy get a new shoes and its hand
over by grand-mother Kamini (Lalita's mother). Thanks...Love DEEPAK PAIK"
"I received a some
of Rs 500 of for my husband treatment. Which is come very handy at the time. When no one I could turned to.
this is a kindness work done by you all. I am grateful for that. thanks...."
|
| Boys from dump in new school uniforms |
|
| Josiah high-fiving Lalita 2005 |
|
|
|
|
Jorden
|
Today I experienced an appointment with an Indian doctor (hopefully the following method
isn't a common practice around the country). After requesting an appointment with
the doctor at a local clinic I was handed a phone, apparently the "doctor"
could diagnose my symptoms and prescribe me something without actually seeing me;
the problem however was communicating over a static-ridden phone line, in the
heart of noisy Kolkata, to a man with a thick Indian
accent. After quickly giving up on him, I learned that pharmacists
have no problem selling me antibiotics (and ignoring the "Doctor's prescription only" label).
We went to a beautiful temple today, Birla Mandir. It was so exquisite, with hand carved marble adorning the massive structure, and huge crystal chandeliers all over. While enjoying the beauty, and admiring what humans are capable of creating, I was unable to forget the
countless children outside the temple gates, resigned to live their whole lives as
outcasts because of the caste system. Somehow all of the magnificent architecture
seemed pretty meaningless as I thought about how many kids' lives could have been blessed by the building's cost.
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
Natasha
|
Today was the most amazing day. We visited the peoples' village. It was so unreal and it felt just like I was in a
movie. We took an hour and a half train ride, standing room only,because it was so crowded. Although it was miserable
being way too close to way too many people, I really enjoyed looking at the landscape of India out the
window. When we got to our stop, we took a bicycle-wagon ride to the village. This poor teen boy had to pull us
with his bicycle as we sat on the wagon with 5 big bags! When we got to the village, the children put on a traditional welcome
ceremony for us :) We drew pictures and taught them how to braid necklaces. It was so great spending time with these little
bundles of energy! We then had another wonderful lunch (boiled water, carrots, apples, oranges, beets, and potatoes). After
lunch we had a big dance party! All the children were great dancers and loved to show off their moves. Then we took a tour
of their little village. They lived in mud huts with thatched roofs and baby chickens running around. There was a small
pond with a man making clay bricks. Even though life must be very difficult there, it was so nice and relaxing to get away
from the business of daily life. It was so wonderful to spend the day with such special little children :]
|
|
|
|
Jorden
|
Today was so amazing, so amazing. Our trip to the village began with a 3 hour train ride experience. It was
so crowded that we ended up standing for pretty much the entirety of it. There was a large crowd assembled for our arrival
in the rural village, the children were both interested and cautious, I found that they cowered or hid as I approached them.
A great icebreaker was our cameras, the only thing the kids love more than having their picture taken is taking pictures themselves!
eventually out of curiosity, even the most frightened of them was smiling and posing for photos :) Some of the older girls
prepared a welcoming ceremony for us, which was beautiful and made us feel more connected with the small community. They all
sang their national anthem for us with great pride (as if singing of the beautiful ideals the anthem conveys, rather than
to the repressive government it represents) and then, to our surprise, we were expected to sing ours. somehow, we managed
to "sing" it for them despite being tone-deaf :) We had a big drawing competition and found some very talented
artists! one boy, DiPankar, drew a portrait of mother Teresa which I could never hope to match! It was so fun to just be able
to bypass the language barrier and connect with the kids through crayons and creativity. Next we tried to teach them
a popular Hemp weaving technique, used to make anything from bracelets to handbags, but the language barrier came back with
a vengeance :), still some of the kids really picked up on it and were able to teach the others. After a wonderful lunch,
Christopher began distributing school supplies amongst the kids, they were so eager to show me their new books, flipping through
every page and pointing to pictures saying the Bengali words while I would repeat in English, It was really reassuring to
see the children's excitement and interest. Throughout the rest of the day, we visited the brick making area, where
one woman worked in a deep hole, digging out clay for molding, we played "king of the hill" and I quickly found
that I'm no match for ten kids with unlimited energy :), and of course we danced, a lot! at first dancing for a crowd of people
was pretty embarrassing, but they quickly joined in and it was one the best memories from my day. seeing the village
was important for me to understand some things. There is a very different type of poverty between the village and the dump,
both are unacceptable and harsh, but in the village there is a deep sense of community and commitment to growing together
as a whole, which makes each indivduals load more bearable. This sense of community is diminished in the city with so many
outside influences and so much discrimination and belittling they face from the affluent. I just wish things could be different
right now, but I know there is much work to be done. |
|
|
|
Colin
|
Sunday: Today we got to go to the village with Christopher We got up early then left at once for the train station,
Christopher went and bought the tickets while we waited with the bags full of food and toys we were going to give out at the
village. We always seem to attract a crowd when standing in one place Jorden is always so generous at giving rupees, Natasha
has her lifesaving fanny pack with all the necessities including gum and lollipops for kids (and us ) and I get people food
as much as I can. I've found that having fruit at hand while roaming the streets is a good way to give food to those who ask
and are hungry anyway. Finally Christopher came back, rescued us from the growing crowd, and we got on the train. Now the
train you're envisioning is probably different from the actual one, this one was very crowded, rickety, and the doors
stayed open the whole time! It was so fun being on it though! Except after a while it got tiring because we were all standing
and it got even more crowded with people getting on and off and other people selling stuff trying to squeeze by you. It also
didn't help that no one took their eyes off us, haha, but I've grown to ignore it.
After about an hour and a half we got to the village stop where Christopher led off of the train quickly and we loaded
our bags onto a wagon pulled by a bicycle and all got on! It was a bumpy ride through the little villages and small areas
of shops we passed, but after an awesome ride we got to the village of the people 
We were welcomed so nicely by all the people and the kids (who were shy at first and looked at us with such fascination)
and then they did a little ceremony for us! They had made these flower necklaces which were placed around our necks and then
they put a dot on our foreheads which was neat. All the while, they were speaking Bengali and making funny gobble noises with
their tongues which we joined in on of course 
All the kids that were being sponsored to go to school were in their uniforms and all went and sat under the porch of
one of the mud huts. Christopher made a cool Mother Teresa shrine and then we did all sorts of things with the kids! We handed
out food, ate with them, then drew pictures with them, then handed out hemp bracelets which were all ready for them to start
braiding and we taught them how to do it! Some kids weren't really getting the hang of it but a few and one in particular
were doing great! By the time we left he had already made a few! So we gave him the rest of the hemp so he could make more
and hopefully teach his friends. The silly bandz were a hit too! (Thanks Cam and Caleb ) Before we went, MaMa had us go bargain
with the guys always selling flutes outside the YWCA so we got 40 flutes to hand out which they loved too :) and those going
to school also got books and some school supplies. Loads of pictures were taken of course because everyone loves having their
picture taken! At one point I went over and just sat in between some kids and this little girl would just look at me and laugh
hysterically (such a cute laugh!) when I would make some silly faces :-P we kept asking 'tomar nam ki?' (their name) and we
tried remembering as many as we could. But there sure were a lot of names! The whole time we were getting to know the kids,
many villagers would come peek into the porch and see us, probably wondering what was going on. Any extra food and things
we had were handed out to the other villagers by Christopher. But Christopher was incredible throughout the whole thing and
had everything so organized! He knows how to distribute what to whom and when so that there are the least conflicts between
the people. He also has real authority to the people! I was surprised at how much they listen and respect him.
  
When we were done hanging with the kids under the porch we went out and danced.. (Christopher's idea of course as he
loves to dance :-P) It was quite embarrassing being in the middle of the crowd and attempting my best freestyle dance moves..
haha but in the end, all the little girls (and one older grandma :-P) showed all of us up at dancing and it turned out to
be a very memorable time :)
But the day doesn't end there! After dancing we were led by the cutest little kids (all grabbing my hand and pulling
me this way and that way) over past the toilet (again, probably not the toilet you're envisioning ;-P) then to an area where
they were making bricks and had big mounds of dirt. Looking out, there was an awesome field of crops growing and it just stretched
for acres! Then came the fun part :) by that time, all the kids had warmed up to us and were much less shy than when we first
arrived. It eventually turned into a big tickle/wrestling/king of the dirt mound fight! Jorden and I fought off the boys while
Natasha had a peaceful, less physically intensive, time with the girls because they were singing for her. But in any case,
those kids have more energy than us combined! They would bombard us all at once trying to tickle and grab our legs which would
then make us fall! Then once on the ground you had to tickle your way out from there :-P thank goodness they were ticklish
though! This was all happening on the mounds of dirt/dust so once we were worn out and sweaty, we were also completely covered
in dust :-P I believe there's still some in my pockets :-P but the kids were awesome and would come over and dust us off :)
anyway after the strenuous workout for the day, we were led back to the huts and handed out some toys to the kids that Natasha
and Jorden had brought.
Eventually around 6pm we got packed up and said 'namaskar' to all the kids and people then hopped on the bicycle wagon.
It was already dark on the ride to the train station but I loved it because the breeze was so nice (and clean) and we could
actually see the awesome moon and stars! The train ride back was so much nicer since it wasn't crowded like it was earlier.
For most of the time we stood by the open doors of the train so we could look outside and just have the experience of hanging
out of the side of a moving train in India! :) We met an interesting fellow who was also sitting near the doors during the
ride. But at one point I was standing across from him/her (?) when all of a sudden he/she started throwing up out of the train!
Luckily I saw it happen and dodged most (but not all...) of the puke as it came sailing in :-P Christopher was pretty much
our body guards throughout the day too and would always look after us, which was really awesome :) then once at the Kolkata
stop we got off and got home back safely where we passed right out. I think thats my favorite day of the trip so far :)
|
|
|
|
|
Today
we sit in on a discussion of the documentary "Born into Brothels" at the Women's Research and Study Center at the
University of Calcutta. The film is part of a seminar on human trafficking, and that is why I am here.
The Center offers a Seminar on trafficking with field visits to anti-trafficking sites. All of my students are
assigned Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade by David Battstone. Imagine, the second
most profitable global trade - trafficking 30 million women and children, yes, children - and few
people even know that this slavery exists. My students are flabbergasted. Several tell me they want
to accompany me to Kolkata next winter break, both to attend the seminar, and to get to know the folks at the
Sree Durga dump. I learned about the seminar through
an article on a distinguished teacher at SUNY-Oswego, Geraldine Forbes, who brings her students each year to attend. She was
generous along with the Director of the Center, Ishita Mukhopadhyay, and the film critic, Prof. Sanjukta Dasgupta, inviting
us to sit in on the session. So here we are - Natasha, Patricia, Jorden, Colin, and, to our good fortune, Sumit
Dey and his friend Tamal Mukherje. We met Sumit when he tried to help us find the International Philosophers Conference,
December 31. Tamal, his friend, is a member of the International Justice Mission, a global organization working
to rid the world of human trafficking and sexual slavery. They rescue slaves when possible, and offer them therapy,
work, and a place to heal. Their work is featured in Not for Sale. Sumit and Tamal just
walked into our lives - exactly whom we needed to know. Sumit escorted us right to the Women's Research and
Study Center. With no clear directions and no taxi driver speaking English, we may never have found our way here. The Seminar is about 7 days of film, lectures, visits to anti-trafficking
sites, other field trips including a visit to Sonagachhi, the huge brothel district where thousands of women live and work.
The seminar cost for the whole group is $1000.00, plus travel, accommodations, and food expenses. I am looking to take
interested students next winter break. I asked Geraldine about accommodations for her students (7). She
has them staying in one of the University's guest houses. This seems quite convenient, with little time lost to transportation
getting to and from the University. She commented that staying close to the University kept her students from seeing
sordid life in other parts of Calcutta; that they were not used to such life. I thought rather uncharitably, from middle-class
to middle-class back to middle-class, "protected" from seeing the "real" world of misery and debilitating
poverty. What a lost opportunity for a real world experience. Most education is about the narrow but exceedingly
rich band circling the globe - the educated in each country with more in common with their educated counterparts in other,
even poor, countries, more in common with each other than either with the poor of their respective country. On the Seminar's program is a visit to Sanved, a dance therapy featured in Time
Magazine. Other field trips are to SANLAAP, a Mental Health Group rehabilitating trafficked victims, JABALA,
a safe migration project, Sabala Mela, Rahul Vidya Niketan, and Sonagachhi (more on a visit to Sonagachhi). Some presentations of the Seminar: an introduction by Librarians to the documents
relating to trafficking and best practices housed in the University's Library; the Economics of Trafficking; Cross Border
Trafficking; Sealdah Loreto; JABALA Safe Migration introduced and explained; Analysis of Safe Migration. Sumit
and Tamal, both advanced, adult University students, work with teen boys in trouble and with poor children to help them
with homework and reading. At least for Sumit it is not required for support (his family is professionally-oriented
and live comfortably), his wife, a professional studying the relationship between Tagore and Sri Vivekananda. Their baby
was delivered by Sumit's uncle, a medical doctor. But he serves the poor out of devotion to his religion. I ask
him about what he believes and if he is a Hindu. He tells me he has a shrine at his house before which he meditates
each day. It is a shrine to Sree Durga!
| Sumit Dey with Patricia Murphy and team |
|
|
|
|
|
Natasha
|
This is one of my favorite little boys from the street. His
name is Zaffar. We traded necklaces.
|
|
|
|
Jorden
|
This afternoon, with the great help of Sumit, we all attended
a meeting with professors from Calcutta University and Oswego University. A class from Oswego is working in collaboration
with CU to end sex trafficking and we enjoyed hearing from them. Sex slavery is a rampant and miserable issue in all
of India, but Kolkata is particularly affected. Sonagachi, the red light district in downtown Kolkata, is one of the largest
sex trade markets in all of Asia. In a city already so troubled by poverty, its especially sad that this is the future for
so many vulnerable girls. Tonight we went to
the dump in the evening, it was wonderful. this time it was much more subdued, and therefore less stressful, than before.
Me & Colin had a great time connecting with Sagar, GaganNath, and Raj, they brought us a bunch of puppies :) they lived
in the dump so they were extremely dirty, but we still had a really fun time petting them (our fingertips were black by the
end of the night). The older girls had a good time talking with Dr. Murphy, Mama, and Natasha. Great night with the kids!
|
|
|
|
Colin
|
Today, after visiting Calcutta University, we took a trip to the dump with Patricia and Christopher. I was so happy to see
everyone again! It was the first time we had seen them since our first visit t the dump so I missed them. I tried my best
to remember all the names I had previously memorized but of course had to be reminded multiple times. We all sat in the wagon
and just hung out while some kids climbed on me and others handed me puppies to pet! Even though we didn't stay long, I had
more fun visiting the dump this time just because we had already met everyone and had warmed up to the kids.
|
|
|
|
Mar
|
|
|
|
|
|
Today we also sat on the sidewalk with some of the children
that live on the streets near the YWCA. We brought out coloring books, crayons and candy. We spent hours coloring with
the kids and eating. It was a lot of fun. Their eye lite up with joy being able to color in coloring books. I'm
sure they have not ever done that before. People passing by just swarmed around us, watching us, like we were from
the circus or something. We get a lot of stares around here... I'm not sure if it's because of how we look or the fact
that we are treating the untouchables like human beings. Whatever the case I don't care what they think of us.
|
|
|
|
Jorden
|
This morning me, Colin, and Natasha had an awesome rooftop
adventure at the YWCA, such a cool place. We walked to the Victoria
Memorial with Dr. Murphy, it was a very long walk! the memorial was beautiful though, and totally worth it. On our way back we ran into a young teen boy we know named "micheal"
(Thats the name many people tell to foreigners, so his real name is a mystery) and his sister. they were hanging out
with us and we got something to eat, having fun taking pictures. Micheal's plight is common and heartbreaking, influenced
by older teens he has become addicted to huffing fumes from glue and other aerosols, its cheap and provides a euphoric escape
from his hopeless reality. With no one to warn him of the terrible consequences to his health, he's bound to continue
on a downward spiral until its too late. We had a personal connection with Micheal and Jaffir ( another young teen abusing
aerosols) and tried desperately to provide some positive influence with them, hopefully we did something, but with such strong
and constant influence from the older teens on the street theres only so much we can change in a month. Unfortunately we had to say goodbye to Dr. Murphy today, we had a great time adventuring
around Kolkata with her though!
|
|
|
Mar - We got to the zoo and found a crowd of men, women with babies, older women, and many children shepherded
there by Christopher. Somehow Christopher had bought the women new saris (expected for such an outing). All
at once I realized why Christopher had set Jorden, Colin, and Natasha to making pins with a small picture of Mother Teresa
on a little medallion with short blue streamers. He proceeded to pin one on all the kids, on the adults, and
on our team, as well. So under the auspices of Mother Teresa, Christopher herded us through the narrow turnstile.
We spread onto the sidewalk and started walking in a gigantic circle around the animal area. I found a seat by
a tree just outside the elephant enclosure. I sent everyone to continue the tour and told them to
find me when they circled back around. I was intending to write in my notebook, but was so drawn to the festival
of colors passing by in the clothes of the people - a great mix of styles and colors - that I wrote very little.
If I were to sum up India in one word, it would be colors. An interesting turn-around. People passing would take pictures of me. Instead of my always
taking pictures, I was the subject. Sometimes someone would stop and look at me as if I was some rare
being. I thought, surely there are many foreigners in Kolkata. Why am I such an object of curiosity? One
man took my picture and then came over and turned the camera to show me the picture. At that moment I realized that
by his act of sharing the picture, I felt a connection with him, and myself a subject rather than an object. The act
of taking my picture became relational when he showed it to me. While sitting amidst the
colors, looks, elephants, and occasional deformities, I became aware of a little girl at my back. I turned
and saw her mother a little behind her looking as if she wanted to talk with me. I smiled and she came closer.
She spoke English, the first person at the zoo to speak English in my hearing. I commented on her speaking
English and was surprised that her little girl spoke a little, too. As we talked she told me that she had gone to Sister
Cyril's school and now her daughter is going. This is the same Sr. Cyril mentioned at the Calcutta University seminar.
Many private or religious schools are strict about attendance and achievement. But Sr. Cyril takes each child as they come,
tries to interest them in learning, but draws them with loving attention rather than with stern rules. The next time I
am here in Kolkata, I want to visit Sr. Cyril and sit in on her school.
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Today we went to the zoo. It was a really good day! I
felt as though I had accomplished one of the tasks for coming to India with my team, to make a deeper connection
with the older girls from the dump: Parul, Pinky, Annita, and Purnima. Their ages range from 16-18. We walked around
the zoo together, talked and really bonded. :) This is Parul with the Elephants.
|
|
|
|
Jorden
|
Today We are going to the Zoo! its gonna be great
|
|
|
|
Colin
|
Today we went to the Alipore Zoo with Christopher and some of the families who live and work in the dump :] I was really excited
to see them again and have the chance to just hang out more. When we got into the zoo, we said hi to everyone then began to
walk around and see all the animals. While walking, Jaganath came up beside me and grabbed my right hand and soon after, Surojit
and Purnima came up and grabbed my left. They held on the whole time we walked around and joyfully led me this way and that
way. I was glad they knew where they were going because I didn't :-P Whenever we would see a new animal, Jaganath would look
up at me and say the name of the animal in Bengali and I would say it in English.
|
|
|
|
|
Sonagachhi was not what i expected. I expected the streets to be dark, with low noise, men milling in various moods,
and a line formed. "Born into Brothels" mentions going on the line and the camera gives a glimpse - so
I thought there was one line. I have heard more than once that one can't just go to Sonagachhi, certainly not as
a tourist, and the rule gets repeated - no cameras.
Off the busy main street, we entered a narrow street with 3-4 storied houses on both sides. Streamers
hung over head contributing to a kind of festival atmosphere. Groups of young men strolled down the street.
In front of each house was a line of colorfully dressed women, some with arms across each other's shoulders, smiling,
talking. I glanced at the "houses" realizing that women were inside, not on the line, but enslaved in
the "flesh trade." I don't know the particulars of who is or is not on the line, but I know that Kolkata is a
major hub of sex trafficking. The numbers are staggering. Even young girls are sold into brothels.
Nicholas Kristoff had an article in the NYT this last week about a 10 year old girl in India, smart and in school, at
great risk of being sold by her grandfather to a brothel. Tamal
and Sumit were with Natasha, Jorden, Colin, and me. Without them we couldn't have visited Sonagachhi. Tamal works
for Jesuit Mission International helping to free trafficked women and working with them with counseling, fair trade work,
and schooling. He had arranged an interview for me with the Director of the Mission, but the time got miscommunicated
and I couldn't meet at the new time. But Tamal was able to take us to Sonagachhi.
A strange moment occurred as we were walking somewhat causally down the street. I don't remember if my name
was called out, but suddenly three women in a line in front of one of the houses called out excitedly and pulled
me into the line among them. I put my arms around their shoulders as they did with me and each other. I
said quick to Natasha, "take a picture." I wanted somehow to catch this amazing moment. I still don't
know if I knew the women from a previous visit to Calcutta, but there was something connecting us. I
felt the connection, and a little privileged to be gathered into their "line." But when you
look at the picture (below) you see in front of the house men lurking. I expect that these men are "enforcers."
As we went on, we saw on the street a few children playing, a few taxis driving through, little storefronts
selling items, and an occasional cart rolling through selling goods. The surface gaiety soon gave way to the starker
reality the more we knew about Sonagachhi, and its force, violence, economics, exploitation, and degradation.
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
Jorden
|
Today
we met with Tamal and Sumit, Tamal works closely with the Sonagachi Rescue Program in
one of the largest red light districts in Asia, We were able to walk through one of the
very populated streets of the area. It was extremely evident that nearly every female on the street was
a sex worker.
They
were all wearing heavy makeup and promiscuous clothing. There
was a sad feeling behind the very colorful facade of the area, the smiles were strained and forced. as
I passed one of the endless groups of girls I felt one of the them timidly grab at my arm then look down as if
ashamed or frightened,
theres over 10,000 sex workers in sonagachi alone, unfortunately
many of them are forced into this life, sexual slavery is rampant in Kolkata.
It was plain to see how out of place we were in the area, in
fact if we did not have certain people with us we could have been in real danger, even with
the contacts I wasn't able to bring my camera into the area.
|
|
Natasha
Leaving
was very bitter sweet for me. There is a lot of need here in Kolkata. We did the best we could to leave good lasting impressions on the children and families, but it was very hard. We found the
best thing to do was to share an emotional connection with them. They loved being bandu. (friends) They were so appreciative when we bought them food rather then just giving them money and loved when we sat with
them and color or talked. All they need is to
just be treated like human beings. Thank you to all of you who have sent such kind words to us while
here in India. I must tell you though
that, I am not nor are any of us great by any means, We are only people doing our best with a lot of help from someone else with a way bigger plan then I could ever picture or understand. I am so thankful for all that God has blessed us with and the
people of India will forever be in my prayers.
I cannot wait to go back some day. Peace and
Love --Natasha
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Jorden
|
Today is our last day in Kolkata, Its
hard to leave our friends here. I will carry these amazing kids with me wherever I go, I just love them so much It's deplorable that these intellligent, funny, hardworking, and Loving children are consigned to live out their entire lives as "Untouchables" deemed
worthless by the selfish majority of India & the World We came
into contact with only a few hundred people during
our trip, yet there are 500 Million Indians suffering in poverty right now. Each of them has as much potential as our wonderful children do, if only they could be given a fighting
chance with education and support. "Be the change you want to see in the world." -
Gandhi This needs to change The
end of this trip is just the beginning of a lot
of work in the hope of even one less kid having to endure this suffering. I
Love India & I have no doubt that
I will return to my friends someday soon. Nomoskar
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
Web Master: Heather Larnerd-Eck Web Site Creator: Colin-Pierre Turner Larnerd The
Beloved Community House
P.O. Box 883
Binghamton, NY 13902
e-mail contact: But4Grace247@aol.com
*
Homepage slide show background music: "Bounty of the Lord Reprise" by Claire Holley off her Sanctuary album;
* Calcutta Project 2007 video clip background music: "Imagine"
by John Lennon
* All unidentified pictures/clipart used throughout website: Artists Unknown. If you recognize
your work on this site please notify us so we can give you credit and link to your page. We are using all artwork unaware
of any specific copyright infringements and ask the artist's permission to continue using their work to
promote our mutual commitment to global peace and social justice for all.
Thank you!
|
|
|
|
