Today was a day of emotion.
It started off with a nice breakfast with my host Rajan and her mother. We had lentil patties with yogurt and chai tea. As we had our food, Rajan informed me of the struggles the children of the untouchable caste endure in their communities. Many suffer the fear of danger from the mafia, pain inflicted by others, rape, or being forced into a marriage at a young age.Some mothers are even punished by their husbands for allowing their daughter to come to school or the daughters themselves will be beaten. I want to cry as she tells me these things but I am also in awe of how she is not afraid to take a stand against these actions to give these children a safe place to learn.
When we walk down stairs to the school the hallways are filled with song as the children are having prayer. Walking into the classrooms I see so many smiling faces and bright eyes of hope. Rajan tells me how each child there has a story of struggle or sadness but here at the school they have hope. I learned that some children have faced injury from accidents, dog bites, or at the hands of others. Instantly I felt a special place in my heart for each of the children and was honored that some even came over to me to give me a hug. I also had a chance to meet a few parents who waited near the gate in hopes there would be room at the school for their daughters. Lots of girls get pulled out of school once they start menstruating to be married off which is the reason Rajan wants to build a girls dormitory so that way the girls have a place to live while they continue their education.
Although I did not spend lots of time with the children today because I felt ill due to the heat, I pray I get adjusted to the time zone and temperature quickly so I can get as much out of this experience as possible in learning and sharing love.
It started off with a nice breakfast with my host Rajan and her mother. We had lentil patties with yogurt and chai tea. As we had our food, Rajan informed me of the struggles the children of the untouchable caste endure in their communities. Many suffer the fear of danger from the mafia, pain inflicted by others, rape, or being forced into a marriage at a young age.Some mothers are even punished by their husbands for allowing their daughter to come to school or the daughters themselves will be beaten. I want to cry as she tells me these things but I am also in awe of how she is not afraid to take a stand against these actions to give these children a safe place to learn.
When we walk down stairs to the school the hallways are filled with song as the children are having prayer. Walking into the classrooms I see so many smiling faces and bright eyes of hope. Rajan tells me how each child there has a story of struggle or sadness but here at the school they have hope. I learned that some children have faced injury from accidents, dog bites, or at the hands of others. Instantly I felt a special place in my heart for each of the children and was honored that some even came over to me to give me a hug. I also had a chance to meet a few parents who waited near the gate in hopes there would be room at the school for their daughters. Lots of girls get pulled out of school once they start menstruating to be married off which is the reason Rajan wants to build a girls dormitory so that way the girls have a place to live while they continue their education.
Although I did not spend lots of time with the children today because I felt ill due to the heat, I pray I get adjusted to the time zone and temperature quickly so I can get as much out of this experience as possible in learning and sharing love.
Thankfully you made it to your journey safely. The kids are so cute!
ReplyDeleteNo monkeys yet?
No monkeys yet but I have been staying in the school as much as possible. I'll send you a picture of one when I see them.
ReplyDelete