“Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you; they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.” - Bernice Johnson Reagon
As the last six weeks have transpired, I have (obviously) realized I never fully concluded my story. Actually, I don’t even think it is over. A few people have often asked about the final part of my India trip- and I think not only to my own selfish satisfaction, but to all the people who have followed my journey, I want to add a few more blogs about the trip that literally, changed my life.
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So last I left off- I had pretty much done a grand scoop of things that had occurred once I flew back from Delhi. I had updated about Lisa and Laura’s arrival. I had elaborated about the 20 UT volunteers. I believe that is where I left off.
There was a span of about 4 weeks that occurred from my trip to Delhi to my trip back to the states where everything happened in about .2 seconds- literally. However, as I frequently told my family, it was in this time I actually felt like I was in my ‘element.’ With all the volunteers there I felt like it was an opportunity to finally show off what I had learned while I was there. Whether it was it knowing something as simple as what time the kids did things throughout the day -to knowing where to get stuff, where to go to find someone, how to work something, ETC- I just felt like all the hard work of ‘figuring things out’ own my own was coming alive! Loved being able to help someone.
So, there was a day when all the volunteers were visiting Sooch that kids were the ‘happiest’ I had ever seen them. It was the last day of exams and, like most of us know, it was party time- wooo hoo! The volunteers had brought a TON of stuff for the kids to play with. It was a Friday afternoon and as soon as the children came back from school, the fiesta commenced.
It was pretty hot that day so we started off in the prayer hall with coloring. Geeze, not kidding, some of these kids could be future Picasso’s. So, not to get sappy, but this is an amazing moment. All the kids were doodling- most coloring pictures of strange action heroes, The Little Mermaid or (for the babies) scribbling on white paper. Before I knew it, my baby Priety came running up to me with a piece of paper she had be working on (no kidding) for the majority of time we had been there. Most of the children were so ecstatic about the amount of crayons, markers, glitter pens, colored pencils, coloring books, blank paper- etc- they would frantically color a page and move on to the their next masterpiece. Priety, however, was very diligent and pretty protective of her piece of art. As she came to me she said something in Hindi, which I didn’t understand. I looked over to Anjina and asked what she said, to which she responded, “These are her dreams.” OOOOKKK- as if I’m not emotional enough- wow. There were stars, flowers, etc. I couldn’t make out some of the doodles but it looked like dinner tables with people. (I will try and take a picture of it and attach later) but take my word for it; it is something I am never letting go of.
So, the children then moved on to making head crowns, glasses, bracelets etc out of pipe cleaners. They all went out to the field and were playing with bubbles, balls, stickers, balloons, music makers- etc. Oh my gosh! It was like Mardi Gras! (PG of course…). SO many colors, giggles, tag games and screams for more bubbles- if that doesn’t make you happy, I don’t know what would.
When it got dark the children formed their lines and headed to the prayer hall where there was a big celebration in store. All the American volunteers ran to their rooms to put on the saris they had recently purchased. I did it last minuet not knowing this was the plan– actually, I felt really silly, I hadn’t worn anything remotely “girly” in two months- it was odd to have a formal black gown on, not to mention covered in gold sequins and exposing my midriff (woo, sass!). Any who, we all made our way to the prayer hall where Manjeet started a ceremony to recognize some of the new staff, applaud the volunteers and thank the house moms for all their hard work. The kids sat there in anticipation because they knew what was coming.
Ready for this? I screamed….and they screamed…and we all screamed for?
ICE CREAM! Ok, tacky- I know. But really, there was lots of screaming all day, especially while the ice cream was being handed out, so it just fit the commentary.
Yes, ice cream was passed out to everyone- and like I’ve mentioned before, Indian ice cream is significantly better than American ice cream. So, we were all happy.
The rest of the evening was filled with lots of Indian dancing. It is pretty funny actually; the boys typically dance together with thrashing, break-dancing kind of moves (which of course I loved). The girls, on the other hand, dance in a very traditional way- they all hold hands and walk in circles. Most of us foreigners got a good laugh at trying to figure out what their feet were doing (it’s complicated!) – however, it was fun to shuffle around in attempt to learn the moves.
Mesh country line dancing… with Lord of the Dance… with Bollywood = what we were doing (or at least trying).
SO yes, after a bit of a workout, lots of handholding and a great deal of laughs- we concluded out fiesta-dance party- Mardi Gras- color party-ball throwing-crown building- ice cream eating… party. Ahh, can I go back?
Much love from (or, wishing I was in) India….
Katelyn
