Eighty girls - ages five to twenty something - alone in the world. No family. No one to take care of them. No one to care about them. Various circumstances, none of which are good, have brought them to Child Care House. Here they have food, shelter, and house mothers to care for them. School is expected, helping out is required, and life has structure and safety.
Right outside of the front gate traffickers gather to lure away the unsuspecting girl. Enticement sometimes succeeds for one wants to believe the lies with which the traffickers groom their victims. But most are kept safe to grow up, marry (after a suitable courting period and with strict scrutiny of the young man's suitability), and lead a productive life.
We had brought donations of shampoo, lotion, soap, hair ties, brushes, lip gloss, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. Frankly, it seemed a little crazy to lug two large suitcases full of these things, each weighing just under the 50 pound limit, halfway around the world. But it was worth the effort. Eyes shone as each girl was allowed to select a few items from the table. They took their treasures away and soon reappeared to show off the new hair clip in place and lip gloss applied. Such pleasure over such simple things.
A small group of creative and talented girls, better known as the "jewelry girls," has recently been trained by The Emancipation Network in silversmithing. We were able to see sample designs and practice products, with final products to be available (hopefully) this fall.
We spent four days getting to know the shelter girls -- hanging out, doing crafts, watching them dance, having them teach us how to make jewelry. They're beautiful girls. Some sassy, some quiet. Some with a servant's heart, some with a poet's soul. Full of life and laughter. All amazing survivors of hard circumstances.
Why are some of us so blessed while others get such a raw deal in life?
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity
Five of us chose to volunteer at Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata today. What an amazing place! In the midst of this dirty, crowded, noisy, impoverished city is this peaceful oasis of caring and compassion. Talk about a light shining in the darkness -- this is it. It's a clean, well organized place with a spirit of love permeating throughout.
Jenny went to the building housing the dying and destitute while Tania, Coleen, Petra and I decided that might be a little too intense for us so we asked to be assigned to Shishu Bhavan, working with children that suffer from a variety of handicaps (autism, blindness, physical deformation, and more). We spent four hours in this building -- playing with the children, feeding them, doing laundry, helping with therapy, and changing "nappies."
People from all over the world come to volunteer at Missionaries of Charity. We personally met volunteers from Australia, Germany, Japan, Italy, and the USA. Elizabeth, a retired music teacher from Germany, began a two-months in Kolkata, two-months in Germany plan of volunteering about a year ago. She loves it! Short term, long term or just one of the four hour shifts available on Saturday or Sunday -- Missionaries of Charity welcomes all volunteers. And it was a privilege to help even if it was for just a few hours. God's love shines here -- in gentle touches, kind words, sweet smiles, and an atmosphere of caring "for the least of these." To be even a tiny part of it was a great experience.
The Mother House, where Mother Teresa lived and is entombed is a short walk from Shishu Bhavan. Besides seeing her tomb, we spent time in the Exhibition Room where her life is documented with many original writings and documents from Mother Teresa herself. In them you can see that her love for the poor and discarded was about as close as any human can get to loving as Jesus' loves.
At Mother Teresa's death in 1997 there were 3,842 sisters serving in 594 houses in 120 countries. One person really can change the world.
Jenny went to the building housing the dying and destitute while Tania, Coleen, Petra and I decided that might be a little too intense for us so we asked to be assigned to Shishu Bhavan, working with children that suffer from a variety of handicaps (autism, blindness, physical deformation, and more). We spent four hours in this building -- playing with the children, feeding them, doing laundry, helping with therapy, and changing "nappies."
People from all over the world come to volunteer at Missionaries of Charity. We personally met volunteers from Australia, Germany, Japan, Italy, and the USA. Elizabeth, a retired music teacher from Germany, began a two-months in Kolkata, two-months in Germany plan of volunteering about a year ago. She loves it! Short term, long term or just one of the four hour shifts available on Saturday or Sunday -- Missionaries of Charity welcomes all volunteers. And it was a privilege to help even if it was for just a few hours. God's love shines here -- in gentle touches, kind words, sweet smiles, and an atmosphere of caring "for the least of these." To be even a tiny part of it was a great experience.
The Mother House, where Mother Teresa lived and is entombed is a short walk from Shishu Bhavan. Besides seeing her tomb, we spent time in the Exhibition Room where her life is documented with many original writings and documents from Mother Teresa herself. In them you can see that her love for the poor and discarded was about as close as any human can get to loving as Jesus' loves.
At Mother Teresa's death in 1997 there were 3,842 sisters serving in 594 houses in 120 countries. One person really can change the world.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
The beggar
Yesterday on the way to Child Care House, all traffic came to a complete stop for a few minutes. People took advantage of the moment to cross the road without being hit! A beggar also chose to meander between the vehicles, begging for money. He was truly an unfortunate teenager, having only a stump at one shoulder and the other arm ending at the wrist. A bag for holding any money that was given to him was hanging from his shoulder. He stood right by our open window and said "Auntie, Auntie (a common term of endearment)," over and over in a soft, sad voice. I wanted to help him but had to say "No" and look the other way while he continued to say "Auntie, Auntie." It broke my heart to keep turned away and not give him at least a few rupees but I knew that I couldn't. We had been warned that beggars were likely to have their trafficker close by watching and if we gave money to them, we were really supporting trafficking. The beggar wouldn't get to keep anything.
So the young man was in the awful situation of having to beg for money -- AND he was severely handicapped -- BUT EVEN WORSE than knowing both of those things is the fact that it is common for traffickers to maim their victims so people will feel extra compassion for them and thus be more likely to give them money. He very well may have been born with both arms & both hands but had had them cut off by his trafficker. The hard cold truth of man's inhumanity to his fellow man was staring me right in the face.
Traffic started up again and we drove off. I cried.
So the young man was in the awful situation of having to beg for money -- AND he was severely handicapped -- BUT EVEN WORSE than knowing both of those things is the fact that it is common for traffickers to maim their victims so people will feel extra compassion for them and thus be more likely to give them money. He very well may have been born with both arms & both hands but had had them cut off by his trafficker. The hard cold truth of man's inhumanity to his fellow man was staring me right in the face.
Traffic started up again and we drove off. I cried.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Destiny Center
Beautiful jewelry, flowing silk scarves, embroidered pillow covers, handmade journals, small and large purses and totes -- these are just a few items made by the women working at Destiny Shelter. But the handicrafts aren't as beautiful as the women who create them. With sweet spirits and broad smiles, they work diligently to produce quality products. Their goal is to succeed as businesswomen -- meeting both their own financial needs as well as consumer desires.
Destiny Center is nuturing and caring. It is also a place of accomplishment. Designing and creating, working together as a team, and earning a fair wage are satisfying undertakings. Destiny Center gives hope, in fact I think it is the very definition of it.
Destiny Center is nuturing and caring. It is also a place of accomplishment. Designing and creating, working together as a team, and earning a fair wage are satisfying undertakings. Destiny Center gives hope, in fact I think it is the very definition of it.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Kolkata: First impressions
Cows and dogs in the street. Bicyclists, pedestrians and rickshaws going every which way. And cars driving pell mell, as fast as they can on the left side of the road. I'm so glad I don't have to drive around here 'cause it's more than a little crazy. See a tiny spot over there that your car may fit into? Head for it and amazingly enough it often turns into just enough room -- but not an inch more -- for you to travel another block or two. Keep going and a bus may cut you off but that's what brakes are for. And one must definitely have one hand on the horn while the other is on the wheel. Honking at someone every minute or so is definitely a required part of the driving experience.
Lots of people & traffic -- shacks for homes -- high rises being built -- big brown eyes of the woman begging outside of the airport -- contrasts in rich and poor.
Welcome to Kolkata!
Lots of people & traffic -- shacks for homes -- high rises being built -- big brown eyes of the woman begging outside of the airport -- contrasts in rich and poor.
Welcome to Kolkata!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Almost ready
Malaria meds - check. Passport - check. Donated items - check. Book to read on the plane - check. I've been checking off things on my list and am about 90% packed. My suitcases are full to the brim with donated lotions, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soaps, hair brushes & ties, etc. Thank you so much to all who donated items or $$. Your generosity helps the shelters care for the rescued survivors.
I've had conversations about India with just about everyone I run into these last few days. How hot will it be? (80's - 90's) Is it humid? (Yes, the 10 day forecast is for thunderstorms every day) Do you think you'll get sick? (There's a good chance of getting traveler's stomach/intestinal illness though I'm not planning on it!) Having never been out of the country except as a tourist in Canada and Mexico, this is a a whole new experience.
Some people look at me as if I've lost my mind to even think about traveling to India and wonder why I would go halfway around the world to volunteer when there are lots of needs right here in the U.S. Actually, that's kind of hard to answer. I just know that I need to go. After being involved with The Emancipation Network for a couple of years, it's time to take this step. It's time to put more action in my actions.
There are many needs in the world. God calls different people to respond to different needs and with different actions. There's a song on Christian radio with a line that says (paraphrased) "Why not me? Why not now?" This is what I need to do right now.
If you are reading this and you're a praying person, I'd appreciate your prayers during this trip. Blessings!
I've had conversations about India with just about everyone I run into these last few days. How hot will it be? (80's - 90's) Is it humid? (Yes, the 10 day forecast is for thunderstorms every day) Do you think you'll get sick? (There's a good chance of getting traveler's stomach/intestinal illness though I'm not planning on it!) Having never been out of the country except as a tourist in Canada and Mexico, this is a a whole new experience.
Some people look at me as if I've lost my mind to even think about traveling to India and wonder why I would go halfway around the world to volunteer when there are lots of needs right here in the U.S. Actually, that's kind of hard to answer. I just know that I need to go. After being involved with The Emancipation Network for a couple of years, it's time to take this step. It's time to put more action in my actions.
There are many needs in the world. God calls different people to respond to different needs and with different actions. There's a song on Christian radio with a line that says (paraphrased) "Why not me? Why not now?" This is what I need to do right now.
If you are reading this and you're a praying person, I'd appreciate your prayers during this trip. Blessings!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Who'd have thought?
What do you expect to do when you retire? Take it easy...sleep in...travel...have more time for your favorite hobby...spend more time with family...volunteer more...? I guess I thought all of these things were possible - and more - but I didn't expect to have a tug on my heart for victims of human trafficking. I didn't even know about trafficking until the winter of 2008. When I began to understand the scope (millions of people are trafficked) and horror (forced prostitution, forced labor, degradation, desperate living conditions, violence, coercion and more) I was compelled to "do something" -- but what?
No one should be enslaved. Every person in this world is worthy of respect and dignity. But what can a retired woman do about human trafficking from her home in small town USA? The answer came from another woman, Sarah Symons, featured in Family Circle magazine in February 2008. She and her husband had been touched by the topic of trafficking and decided they'd get involved. They formed The Emancipation Network, assisting shelters that helped victims of human trafficking. Sarah invited women around the US to host an event, a "Freedom Party," to educate others about trafficking and give them the opportunity to purchase items made by survivors. Anyone can do it. Everyone can do it.
So I hosted a party, then another one. Friends and family with a heart for trafficking victims decided to buy gifts and items for themselves from The Emancipation Network. All money went right back to The Emancipation Network to purchase more items and so it's been going for the past couple of years. A craft show here and a party there -- purchases that benefit both buyers in our corner of the world as well as survivors in over 15 different shelters around the world.
Who'd have thought that God would bring this cause into my life? I don't believe in coincidence. I do believe in His leading. And now He's leading me to volunteer at some of these shelters in Kolkata, India -- more than just a little bit out of my normal realm and comfort zone.
And now it's only 10 days before leaving for India....
No one should be enslaved. Every person in this world is worthy of respect and dignity. But what can a retired woman do about human trafficking from her home in small town USA? The answer came from another woman, Sarah Symons, featured in Family Circle magazine in February 2008. She and her husband had been touched by the topic of trafficking and decided they'd get involved. They formed The Emancipation Network, assisting shelters that helped victims of human trafficking. Sarah invited women around the US to host an event, a "Freedom Party," to educate others about trafficking and give them the opportunity to purchase items made by survivors. Anyone can do it. Everyone can do it.
So I hosted a party, then another one. Friends and family with a heart for trafficking victims decided to buy gifts and items for themselves from The Emancipation Network. All money went right back to The Emancipation Network to purchase more items and so it's been going for the past couple of years. A craft show here and a party there -- purchases that benefit both buyers in our corner of the world as well as survivors in over 15 different shelters around the world.
Who'd have thought that God would bring this cause into my life? I don't believe in coincidence. I do believe in His leading. And now He's leading me to volunteer at some of these shelters in Kolkata, India -- more than just a little bit out of my normal realm and comfort zone.
And now it's only 10 days before leaving for India....
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