Dawn
I spent six months volunteering in 2004, and I still think about my
time in Jaipur almost every day. The girls at the orphanage where I
stayed were genuinely affectionate, curious, hard-working, creative, and
grateful for what little they had. Coming from a wealthy country, it was
an enlightening, and humbling, experience for me.
When I first arrived, I admit that I wondered what I was thinking when I
signed on. It didn’t take long though to become comfortable and start to
think of the orphanage as “home.” It does require a change in thinking,
a willingness to put aside some cultural teachings and beliefs, and a
lot of patience on both sides. Be prepared to make mistakes, learn from
them, and move on. You’d be surprised to realize the contentment that
comes from performing simple tasks like washing your clothes outside
with a bucket of soapy water and a brush, or sitting in a large circle
with the children and sorting through donated produce (especially when
someone gets out a knife and the salt shaker for snacks as you work!),
or just going to a nearby stand for a glass of fresh juice or an ear of
roasted corn. The Indian people are very willing to share everything
they have, and the children are fascinated and pleased by anything you
bring (school supplies, toiletries, treats, etc.). The best memories I
have are of the times I spent just sitting around with Didi and girls,
talking and laughing. Even with some language barriers, you’ll find
communication is not much of a problem.
Didi is incredible – a formidable presence even though her mobility is
severely limited by arthritis. Somehow, she manages to keep things going
no matter how rough it gets. She speaks English quite well, has a great
sense of humor, and is happy to help you adjust.
Jaipur is a beautiful city with incredible markets. The public
transportation is perhaps a bit rough, but it’s easy to get around. The
local people were very pleasant and helpful, and they enjoy sharing
their culture with foreigners. In addition to exploring Jaipur, I also
took side trips to Jaisalmer, New Delhi, and a horseback safari from
Udaipur to Pushkar. My travels were mainly within the state of
Rajasthan, which is the “old India” of elephants and kings you see in
movies. In addition to the markets, there are many palaces and historic
sites nearby. The children really enjoy field trips to sites around the
city too.
It’s not easy to immerse yourself in a foreign culture, but it’s
definitely worth the stresses and uncertainties you’ll probably
experience at first. It’s strengthening, enlightening, empowering,
satisfying, and joyful.
Dawn's photos
(click to enlarge)
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