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Hello all:
I am here in Mumbai at a 'cyber cafe'. I get to use the computer for one hour for 30 Rupees - about 75 cents.
My heart is full. I'm not sure my words will be able to convey all that I am experiencing, but I'll try.
What an amazing venture! I offer my gratitude to all the support and prayers you all are offering me. My experience has just begun, but I wish to share a piece with you.
When I first arrived I was able to stay with Dr. Arun Gandhi in his home. I arrived here very early in the morning and was able to get some rest. Arun and I ran some errands and met some other Americans that would be joining us on the tour. We walked slong the promenade (boardwalk) and sat for afternoon chai.
I am so grateful to have experienced 'daily life' through these first two days, as I was treated as a member of Arun's family, eating meals in his home, having fresh coconuts and vegetables delivered to the door, walking through the streets with him. Gaining understanding and organic experience through being at his side.
The sights, the smells, the sounds are all so impressive and magnificent. Women in incredible colors, dogs and cows at every turn. 3 wheeled 'rickshaws' tooting and swerving. Traffic, traffic traffic!
Today we visited a site called WiT - Women's India Trust. This is an organization that employs women - providing them the opportunity to work with textiles, making jams, and some educational possibilities for nursing and tutoring. The women are paid by pieces completed. Child care and schooling is provided for the children. I sat with 4 and 5 year old children today who were working on writing their letters and numbers. They were so proud and precious!
Tomorrow we will go to MarketPlace - another cooperative that supports women who create women's clothing and accessories. You may be familiar with the store "100 villages" in Oak Park and Evanston who sells a great deal of their work. Tomorrow evening we will board a train to go to Kohlapur which is the location of the school that the Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute is working to build.
The weather here is in the 70's - quite a treat after leaving in the middle of the snowstorm in Chicago.
So, once again, I thank you all for your prayers and support. I look forward to updating you in the near future. Feel free to contact me via this email address, just be aware that it may take a few days for me to respond.
Peace to you.
Namaste,
Joanna Amaral | | |
