So far we’ve been in India for almost 2 weeks and I have already fallen in love with this country. The culture, the people, the earth, it’s all so beautiful. The chai is AMAZING and the curry is everywhere! We got saris and need to ride in tuk tuks to get anywhere. The people are so welcoming and kind hearted and always want selfies with us, it’s so cute honestly. This country is so unique with such a distinct culture. The women have to wear kurtas at all times with long pants even though its 100+ degrees here. We eat with our hands, but only our right hand because the left hand is considered dirty. And you have to be careful because literally everything means you’re married- henna on the top of your hand, toe rings, black in your necklace, the list goes on. There are countless, random customs they follow, its mesmerizing.
Even though it’s gorgeous, I have never traveled to a country so broken. The poverty is like nothing I have ever seen before, there are stray, hungry dogs everywhere, and the earth is covered in trash because there’s simply no place to collect it. We are living in a huge house, but tight living spaces. We live in small rooms, use squatty pottys, take cold bucket showers, live one with lots of bugs, and eat the same food all the time. It blows my mind that we live fairly well off compared to the majority of the population and in 9 months we will return to our luxury homes. It’s heartbreaking honestly.
My team has the opportunity to work with girls ages 5-13 and just play games with them and teach them english. They are the most precious tiny humans ever. They are so grateful for literally everything. They love to play games and sing songs- little sally walker will forever be stuck in my head. The other day we brought out our cameras and they were so in awe and just wanted to take pictures with it. All the girls call us aka which means sister and fight over who gets to hold your hand. They are brilliant. They know so much english, much more than I anticipated, and can decently hold conversations. Women in India are treated as lesser and aren’t expected or most of the time even allowed to work. It’s ironic because of how strong, brilliant, and independent these girls are, but they don’t even recognize it. Every day before they leave to walk home, they are given one boiled egg and one glass of milk. Honestly, at age 7 if my mom were to hand me that I would flat out reject it, but these girls are so grateful for everything. They truly are amazing and it’s heart breaking that the majority of girls here will never know that.
(Photo by Kirkland Smith)
Overall, I absolutely love India and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now. Thank you so much for all the donations and prayers, they mean the world to me and they are truly making such a large impact. Please continue praying for this country and the girls as well as the broken dogs that roam everywhere. Coming here is almost like going back in time- we literally saw a herd of goats being led by Shepard’s yesterday? There is one dog that naps in our home and has a hurt leg and looks very malnourished- prayers would be greatly appreciated! I am so grateful for all of you taking time to read this!
XOXO,
Skyler <3
