Tis the season of change.. something I like..for the most part.
The Christmas celebration was fantastic. 900 kids plus more people. So many wonderful performances and just an atmosphere of joy and fun on the 25th. Putting up the decorations was a lot of fun too! Later, we went out to eat as it was one of my friend's last day here. Saying goodbye is always so hard. I felt lonely as both my housemates/friends left within 24 hrs of each other! The day after Christmas I went to the community center at the slum again. This time, there were only 20 to 30 people max. The kids did not have school so they were playing around. Next thing I knew, I was amongst them playing tag/thappo, teaching them ring around the rosie, etc. Mann those kids would not let me go...one would want to play with my hair while another pulls one hand to go swing in a circle while another wants to play in the sand. The kids are full of energy and those piggy back rides sure gave me a good weight lifting workout! I got a well rounded work out now that I look back at it! Their laughter and love just vanished every bit of loneliness I had felt earlier. I felt like a little kid again with them! Children-so much to learn from them.
Anyway, today was good too. It was busy like every other day, but the volunteer meeting this AM was cherry on top. What a perfect way to start the day! I love hearing everyone's thoughts and experiences. Circles full of smiles and inspiration!
Yesterday was nice! The really convineint thing about India is that there are fruit vendors almost everywhere throughout the day. I was fasting so I had not had lunch. Walking 5-6 km without lunch and proper breakfast can be tasking, so I got myself some baby size pomegranate, bor (no clue what it is called in English), and lemonade. Oh so good-the taste of freshness! Yesterday was full was BP screenings and gynec counseling. It was wonderful. Just my type of thing-education and screenings! Prevention prevention prevention- best medicine.
What I love about this place is all the new people I get to meet. It seems like everyday we have new volunteers or visitors. All of them are such a pleasure to get to know. Everyone adds to the tapestry of service. So many ideas, skills, cultures, backgrounds, and kind giving hearts in one arena. That is Gandhi ashram. I feel truly blessed to be here. To think what else I could be doing with my nursing career at this point in time-this is the best answer. I don't get paid in money, but I get more than what money can every buy. Everyone loves what they do here. Whether I am teaching arts and crafts to little kids or talking to adolescent girls on their health or performing for Christmas celebration or meetings with women to yoga and meditation...it is all so appealing to me. I feel truly happy in what I am doing. Everyday feels like Holi. My days are very colorful. :)
Keep smiling and dream big-dreams do come true when you truly put your heart and soul into them. You need faith in yourself. The world may say go one direction, but you need to follow your heart. Only way to make the unlikely a reality.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Ao ne ramva re garbe ghoomva re
Aao ne ramva re garbe ghoomvva re... (come play, and come dance to garba)
First, it was garba on the rooftop under the stars at Seva Cafe, but that was couple of weeks ago. Today, it was garba at Gandhi Ashram with all the kids and adults. We had children from blind school come to perform some songs for Saturday Special. I sat there truly mesmerized by their voices-so pure. It is one thing for me to see the world with my eyes, but to feel the connection through their voices was something else. I might be able to see this computer screen in front of me, but God gifted these kids more than what eyes could see or detect. Their voices are soulful and simply beautiful. The messages that are conveyed cannot be seen-only felt. It was a marvelous event. After their performances, some of the teachers and volunteers performed. After that, we all got a pleasant surprise- GARBA! my love.. At first, I just watched the kids do garba. There is a certain pleasure and joy in seeing the kids so happy and dancing, but at the same time, the inner dancer in me could not resist the garba music. I eventually joined the circle and thoroughly enjoyed garba at Manav Sadhna Gandhi Ashram. It is something I will always cherish-the memories I have been blessed with here.
Last night was wonderful at Seva Cafe. One of the volunteers was going away, so we had a group dinner there. It was south Indian food-was really good. The food is always delicious-the love that goes into preparing and serving it adds tons of flavors not found in any grocery store. Words fall short to describe the beauty of Seva Cafe. I got another pleasant surprise there-few days ago, I had been introduced to two gynecologists there through one of the volunteer coordinators here. Yesterday, he called me aside and to my surprise, the gynecologist was having dinner at the cafe again! This time, he brought all these women's health and dental health screening, education material with him!!!! in Gujarati!! I was ecstatic! just what I was looking for! Hopefully, we will be able to conduct sessions in the communities here. I am very excited. It is like God gives you just what you need when you are searching for it-in most unexpected ways!
We are also trying to set up medical camps-I am looking forward to it. On the side, we are working on a dance for Christmas celebration! So much going on, yet I am having a blast! This is what I always wanted-and here I am living my dream. The communities are just so welcoming. Being a nurse is just my medium-but I get to connect to so many diverse individuals here and learn so much! be it organic farming, yoga, teaching, dancing, health care here, just everything in name of love.
I am where I am because I believe in all possibilities. -Whoopi Goldberg
First, it was garba on the rooftop under the stars at Seva Cafe, but that was couple of weeks ago. Today, it was garba at Gandhi Ashram with all the kids and adults. We had children from blind school come to perform some songs for Saturday Special. I sat there truly mesmerized by their voices-so pure. It is one thing for me to see the world with my eyes, but to feel the connection through their voices was something else. I might be able to see this computer screen in front of me, but God gifted these kids more than what eyes could see or detect. Their voices are soulful and simply beautiful. The messages that are conveyed cannot be seen-only felt. It was a marvelous event. After their performances, some of the teachers and volunteers performed. After that, we all got a pleasant surprise- GARBA! my love.. At first, I just watched the kids do garba. There is a certain pleasure and joy in seeing the kids so happy and dancing, but at the same time, the inner dancer in me could not resist the garba music. I eventually joined the circle and thoroughly enjoyed garba at Manav Sadhna Gandhi Ashram. It is something I will always cherish-the memories I have been blessed with here.
Last night was wonderful at Seva Cafe. One of the volunteers was going away, so we had a group dinner there. It was south Indian food-was really good. The food is always delicious-the love that goes into preparing and serving it adds tons of flavors not found in any grocery store. Words fall short to describe the beauty of Seva Cafe. I got another pleasant surprise there-few days ago, I had been introduced to two gynecologists there through one of the volunteer coordinators here. Yesterday, he called me aside and to my surprise, the gynecologist was having dinner at the cafe again! This time, he brought all these women's health and dental health screening, education material with him!!!! in Gujarati!! I was ecstatic! just what I was looking for! Hopefully, we will be able to conduct sessions in the communities here. I am very excited. It is like God gives you just what you need when you are searching for it-in most unexpected ways!
We are also trying to set up medical camps-I am looking forward to it. On the side, we are working on a dance for Christmas celebration! So much going on, yet I am having a blast! This is what I always wanted-and here I am living my dream. The communities are just so welcoming. Being a nurse is just my medium-but I get to connect to so many diverse individuals here and learn so much! be it organic farming, yoga, teaching, dancing, health care here, just everything in name of love.
I am where I am because I believe in all possibilities. -Whoopi Goldberg
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Oh Ahemdabad
What can I say about today. It was a long day indeed, but one full of surprises and twists. It is basically like any day in India! I do have to say that I miss my hometown (well City really) of Baroda. Ahemdabad is too large of a city for my taste. It just does not feel as homely outside here as it does in Baroda, but this does not apply to Gandhi Ashram. Our house full of volunteers feels like a home. Everyone here feels like we are part of a big family. I have so many bhais (brothers) and bens (sisters). One of the things I love the most-the all religion prayer we do in the AM. There is no greater God than love and humanity. I pray to Allah, Jesus, Krishna, Guru Nanak, etc. All are one. Hum sab ek hai. I have yet to learn the words for every prayer as some are new pronunciations for me, but I pray from my heart. That is what matters. We are having a Christmas celebration here for the community. The kids are doing skits and dances on life of Jesus, meaning of Christmas, etc. It is good to celebrate all holidays-or at least share the joy and unity. I am looking forward to Christmas day. This is probably the most I have ever celebrated Christmas, and that too, I am in India. Truly wonderful!
Today was interesting though- so in India, rarely do you get proper directions or instructions. So I was supposed to get on a specific bus back to the stop I would be catching a rikshaw from. Instead the bus left without me. The guy that was supposed to come get me when the bus was about to leave ignored the instructions given to him from his head. I was told to then get on another and stop at a railway track to get on the original bus I should have been on. I finally got on that bus, but no room to sit. I stood by the door-the open door-on a bus through Indian traffic! No one scooted over on their seats-which is unusual because the other days, the people scooted over to make room for me. Anyway today the lady behind me just shoved her way through pushing my hand aside that was trying to hold onto handle bars on the moving bus while standing! There was not any courtesy felt on this bus for quite some time. I was glad to be off. Then, came the other half. None of the rikshaw walas were willing to take me to Gandhi Ashram. One finally agreed to take me to a nearby intersection 1 km away from ashram. He drove the rikshaw like it was a toy car-probably one of the roughest-and I have been in plenty of rough rikshaw rides here. Anyway, I just walked from there. I was trying to get around town from one city to another in 20 Rs, but luckily I made it! In India, walking 1-5 km is a wiser choice than taking rikshaw at times. ....but never walk alone at night or in shady areas. Know your surroundings.
Now, moving onto the good experiences: I had fun doing a presentation on dental health at one of the street schools. On my way back out of the slum some of the little kids from class recognized me and started saying how they would brush their teeth twice a day. It was sweet. Lovely kids!
Another cute incident- a little preschooler was trying to climb onto the swing at the community center. It was too high for him to reach! When I walked up to him and asked if he wanted to get on the swing, he just gave this cutest innocent sky smile nodding yes. It was simply adorable. Then after he sat on it, he just did not want to get off, but by this time the other kids got out of class. They came to swing, and the preschooler finally got off. He was the sweetest little kid!
I really like this insert from a book:
"It is a truth that in our darkest times we are willing to go the deepest. When life is good, we live superficially; we are not very reflective but when the seas get rough, we step out of ourselves and ponder why things have unfolded as they have. This leads to remarkable learning and growth...and life is all about growth and stepping into who we are meant to be."
That really applies to many of my days here-especially all the events that unfolded this week.
Stay positive and smile a lot :)
Today was interesting though- so in India, rarely do you get proper directions or instructions. So I was supposed to get on a specific bus back to the stop I would be catching a rikshaw from. Instead the bus left without me. The guy that was supposed to come get me when the bus was about to leave ignored the instructions given to him from his head. I was told to then get on another and stop at a railway track to get on the original bus I should have been on. I finally got on that bus, but no room to sit. I stood by the door-the open door-on a bus through Indian traffic! No one scooted over on their seats-which is unusual because the other days, the people scooted over to make room for me. Anyway today the lady behind me just shoved her way through pushing my hand aside that was trying to hold onto handle bars on the moving bus while standing! There was not any courtesy felt on this bus for quite some time. I was glad to be off. Then, came the other half. None of the rikshaw walas were willing to take me to Gandhi Ashram. One finally agreed to take me to a nearby intersection 1 km away from ashram. He drove the rikshaw like it was a toy car-probably one of the roughest-and I have been in plenty of rough rikshaw rides here. Anyway, I just walked from there. I was trying to get around town from one city to another in 20 Rs, but luckily I made it! In India, walking 1-5 km is a wiser choice than taking rikshaw at times. ....but never walk alone at night or in shady areas. Know your surroundings.
Now, moving onto the good experiences: I had fun doing a presentation on dental health at one of the street schools. On my way back out of the slum some of the little kids from class recognized me and started saying how they would brush their teeth twice a day. It was sweet. Lovely kids!
Another cute incident- a little preschooler was trying to climb onto the swing at the community center. It was too high for him to reach! When I walked up to him and asked if he wanted to get on the swing, he just gave this cutest innocent sky smile nodding yes. It was simply adorable. Then after he sat on it, he just did not want to get off, but by this time the other kids got out of class. They came to swing, and the preschooler finally got off. He was the sweetest little kid!
I really like this insert from a book:
"It is a truth that in our darkest times we are willing to go the deepest. When life is good, we live superficially; we are not very reflective but when the seas get rough, we step out of ourselves and ponder why things have unfolded as they have. This leads to remarkable learning and growth...and life is all about growth and stepping into who we are meant to be."
That really applies to many of my days here-especially all the events that unfolded this week.
Stay positive and smile a lot :)
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Gandhi Ashram
The world of peace and tranquility-where the view is priceless and experience timeless. One place-Gandhi Ashram. Living here is a blessing. Playing with the kids, or going on health camp with community members, or enjoying a night out in the city with other volunteers, it is all such a wonderful experience. Busy on my feet, but the joy I feel is priceless. I think this experience will really stick with me fore ever. My definition of success be happy in what your are doing, and love much and give all. Manav Sadhna has thaught me so many values. Very rarely have I seen the way Manav Sadhna practices here. Every thing is need based and that I love. All the work is done with such purity and grace. There is no scheme of earning money slyly, but instead, they give of themselves in any way they can. I love the programs they run and I find myself divided up into new and old projects. I love the volunteer meetings-such inspiring stories. One guy rode his bike from Greece to India! Such an inspiration. The kids loved hearing his story, and so did the other visitors at the ashram. I love the house I am staying at. It is an original from Gadhiji's time. Living on the premises he once lived on is one of the biggest blessings, and I love and value this experience so much! The olden style cottage like home-the place filled with mosquitos, yet I love every single moment here. From washing clothes in 7am rush trying to doing sun salutation to the sun rise in front of Sabarmati riverfront! From 5 km walks through narrow alleys of the slums to the free flowing environment at the community centers. From lunch with everyone by the riverfront to meeting people from all walks of life from across the globe. From the lovely Seva Cafe dining to washing dishes and forming bonds.
http://www.sevacafe.org/ahmedabad.html
http://www.manavsadhna.org/node.aspx?nodeId=4&siteID=1
It is a blessing to be able to connect to so many people in the name of love and humanity.
All challenges lead to growth. This is the meaning of life- find your niche and immerse yourself.
Love all, serve all. -love this place.
http://www.sevacafe.org/ahmedabad.html
http://www.manavsadhna.org/node.aspx?nodeId=4&siteID=1
It is a blessing to be able to connect to so many people in the name of love and humanity.
All challenges lead to growth. This is the meaning of life- find your niche and immerse yourself.
Love all, serve all. -love this place.
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