First week on the job in India
Noted on October 6, 2008 by Natanya in (0 Comments)
This week marks the first week I have been in India! So far the entire experience has been magical without lacking challenge after challenge. My favorite place in Pen is a small lake that is located near our beautiful bungalow. I love sitting by the water each afternoon after my full day of observation at Children’s Future India. At the lake I hear beautiful sounds of birds chirping in the trees, a single sound made from many voices chanting in a near by temple, which is all happening at the same time as the suraya (Marathi word for the sun - pronounced “suriya”) sets and glistens on the lake. I can hear children laughing and running and loud automobiles honking in the distance and this is where and when I feel most peaceful and sincere. I love how the breeze surrounds me; filling my lungs with cool breath while caressing my skin entirely. I am stunned and overwhelmed by this mystical beauty when the sun’s color and rays glide over the water in the most simple but perfect way. This is when I pinch myself and scream inside, “Girl! You are in India! WOW!”
I can feel a sense of maturity climbing all over my thoughts. The things in my social group in Seattle that I once focused on are not satisfying enough to enter my thoughts anymore. Now I find I really want to remain focused and in tune with everything circling around me here in India. I’m learning… I’m really learning! I’m learning how to be content with challenges and how to laugh in the face of fear (like getting chased by a dog, seeing a 6 foot snake in the road, or being left alone with Katy in a chicken coup with 30 tribal people laughing anxiously as no communication between us is possible). I’m learning already in one week how to be content with the immense amount of attention I get being one of the only two Westerners living in Pen.
The sights, smells, sounds and tastes of India thus far are just positively brilliant! I am excited each day, barely able to sleep at night waiting for the next day to begin in order to feel and see something new. I feel welcomed and respected. I really trust that India’s study abroad center in Mumbai has done everything that can be done while working hard to ensure a smooth and exciting adjustment for foreign students to experience India and the culture here. Sharad (our local coordinator) and Sheetal (our great cook) have both been helpful, happy, and warm hearted additions to us being here.
Children’s Future India is an incredible and admirable organization. I am so happy to be a part of CFI. At first, I was really nervous and confused as to what I was expected to do and now I am already realizing that Indian culture requires one to be relaxed with adjustment and flexible with time. In a few short days I have begun to understand my duty thus far and learn to enjoy simply observing and giving feedback to CFI the local, grassroots non-governmental/non-profit organization. I was hesitant before I came to India about working for CFI because I didn’t know anything about its goals, funding mechanisms or how they go about achieving community development in India. Now I’m beginning to understand their insight and how funding and sponsorship from Norway is really being used to help develop the conditions of tribal peoples in villages located deep in forest valleys surrounded by mountains, trees and waterfalls.
Going with CFI’s community development team to three rural, tribal villages (Hedoshi, Bariwadi, and Bangarwadi) and a clean and organized poultry/goat farm has taught me already about patience and beauty all in all. The opportunity to see India this way, a way that most people from America or else where will never have the chance to witness, is so unique and incredibly informative. I can’t help but feel blessed and wonder if I am simply dreaming.