A Day to Be Remembered

Today was a day that will be etched in my memory forever. When I am looking back on my life and what experiences I have had, the places I have been, and the people I have met....today will be one of those days I reflect upon.

I visited a shelter for women and girls who have been rescued from sex trafficking located about 70 kms outside of Hyderabad, India. My purpose in going was to bring collaboration between this shelter, an organization I represent that helps victims of sex trafficking, and a jewelry design making school. We are bringing a program to the women of the shelter that will teach them jewelry design making ending in a certificate and job placement. This collaboration between the three parties aims to provide a new livelihood full of dignity, respect, independence, and hope for these amazing and beautiful young women. 

Upon arrival, my colleague and I were immediately welcomed by both the Director and Coordinator of the shelter. We were escorted around the shelter which consisted of a hospital treatment center, a school for the young girls who have been rescued, a day care for the babies and toddlers of the women who have been rescued, a life-skills training center for women, their dining hall, and their living spaces.

As I saw the faces of the young girls and women in the shelter, I did my best to impress upon my memory every detail possible. Each of these individuals had such unique stories to tell: stories of tragedy, stories of survival, stories of triumph, and stories of hope. I was eager to hear from each of them. I could feel the strength emanating from these women and see it in their eyes. The young girls in the school greeted me with songs of welcome, handmade paper flowers, and specially made early Christmas and Happy New Years cards. After that, the women in the life skills training center greeted me with a beautiful bracelet they had made for me. They showed me the crafts they were making including hand painted cloths, embroidered saris, and beaded bracelets. As we walked around the complex we also got to meet much of the staff who are also survivors.

I am thrilled to have gotten to meet these young women and in awe of each one of them. The founder of the organization who has built the shelter is truly what I call a Saint. I  look forward to assisting in the jewelry design making program and job placement collaboration between the three organizations. 

As I was writing this, I received a call from the gentleman who accompanied me from the jewelry design school. He wanted to let me know this day will be with him for the rest of his life.

People often wonder why I do what I do and why I am so passionate about it. This is why.

They say....

There is a saying that if you come to India with patience, you lose it and if you come without it, you gain it. I am beginning to agree wholeheartedly but yet once gained or lost it just continues to come back. There is no choice but to be patient :)

I arrived in India almost two weeks back now. My first week was spent in Delhi, mostly doing orientation with many amazing speakers, exercises to get to know our other colleagues, and attempting to introduce us to working in India. As of Tuesday evening, I landed in Hyderabad. The first evening was lovely with a friend of a friend picking my colleague and I up from the airport and treating us to a lovely dinner followed by hookah. We started the apartment hunt Wed. and were amazed at how fast we found a lovely two bedroom/bath! We met the owner, (so we thought), and put down the deposit. Thrilled as we were, we set off to start working with our organizations as soon as possible. Here is where more patience comes in.... today upon my first day at the office I receive a call from the man who rented to us that he has to inform me that his parents do not approve of renting to foreigners. Alas, meeting tonight to get our deposit back and start searching again tomorrow! This is only one of the points of patience so far since landing. Myriads of Foreign Registration complications, bank accounts hacked back in the States, and of course, how could I forget the auto driver throwing rupees at me ;) I'm such a New Yorker...!

Oh Mother India! You arouse our senses from the moment we land with sights and smells, some glorious and some overwhelming. I have already started wearing the traditional kurta, (so beautiful and comfortable!), and am eager to begin learning Hindi. I am so privileged and honored to be a part of your country for the coming year, to learn and develop as well as contribute. Serve, Learn, Lead.