Waterfall Weekend Trip

These are a few pictures taken at one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Jamkhed, India.

The Plight of Women in Jamkhed

Your worst day could be someone's best day...

After hearing personal stories from the women that work with CRHP, I had to take a step back and think about my life and the women surrounding me.  I realized the importance of having faith and more importantly, to never lose that faith.

The level of oppression the women face in this culture is indescribable. Women are thought to be worthless. Even within the social caste system, in India, the women are beneath the untouchables.

Many Village Health Workers ("VHW") shared their stories with us. One of the stories that struck me the most was of a Shudra woman whose family couldn't gather enough money for her dowry. They finally found someone who agreed to marry her without a dowry. She was married at the age of fifteen and moved to Mumbai to live with her husband and his family. Within the first six months she was pregnant. Her husband was constantly sick so she had to take care of her husband and her baby. Her husband got so sick, she had to take him to the hospital where it was discovered that he had HIV/AIDS. He died shortly after the diagnosis. She later found out that both she and her baby were HIV positive. With this news, her in-laws did not allow her to stay with them. They believed she caused their son’s death. She tried to return to her parents but was no longer welcomed there as well. She and her baby were homeless. Eventually finding a job as a manual laborer, during the day she left her child unattended inorder to go to work. After a few weeks of the same routine, one evening she returned from a long work day to find her son dead. Feeling desolate, she attemped suicide many different times. A VHW found her and took her to the CRHP Hospital. She was very thin and sick with symptoms of HIV. She was nursed back to health at the CRHP Hospital. CRHP has greatly cared for her has prescribed a regimen of antiretroviral drugs for the past four years. Currently, she is working as a Manager on the CRHP farm.

 With the help of CRHP, she has regained confidence in life and her health. She is encouraging other people with HIV/AIDS and young girls about the plight of women in their villages.

We see these Ladies throughout our days in Jamkhed. Each one has a story to tell. Each has overcome some kind of abuse or life obstacle, yet they are still smiling and living life to its fullest. The language barrier is invisible. The very little Marathi I speak nor the little English they speak desn't hamper our understanding of each other.  It is enough for us to understand each other - woman to woman. Her story is one of many I have heard. The women struggle everyday for their wellfare, well being, and to earn their respect. While they have conquered much, there is a long road to travel. I realize that as a woman I take many of my civil liberities for granted. I now see things through different eyes.

TTYS.

No Truer Words...

I can truly say I know what this quote means. No truer words have ever been spoken.

TTYS!

~~~

Quote By: Konrad Adenauer

Picture Credit: Flickr

Fortunate

Although I have traveled and been on semi long vacations, I have never traveled, alone, to a foreign country for so long. I have grown so much and most importantly gained the strengh and confidence to venture to India if the opportunity presents itself. I genuinely believe that I have pushed my confidence further then ever before. Away from my comfort zone and my support system, I've had the opportunity to be the Nadege that I say and believe I am. I see the values/morals that will be with me wherever I go and have also taken note of the ones that I need to work on.

It is very easy to forget how fortunate you are. I'm thankful for this time and experience.  It has brought to light the things I need to appreciate in my life.

Observing the people of Jamkhed has shown me what selflessness and true happiness are. Despite a troubled life of many obstacles and set backs the people have had, they continue to live with such joy and determination.

 I truly believe that I am exactly where I am suppose to be. I know much more about cultural and social barriers. I feel much more prepared, mentally, for my career path. I am prepared to welcome whatever challenges, changes and opportunities that come my way. This has been an enriching experience thus far.

Donate To The Cause

If you notice on the side bar there is a new link to foster donations to CRHP in Jamkhed, India. I urge you to please make a donation to the cause. Your funds will go towards the growth and development of life saving medical programs in India.

Based on what I've seen, the villages and surrounding areas are in great need of this help. This cause is now very close to my heart.

Please remember that every little bit helps.

Link: To Donate

Thanks so much!

My Salwar Kameez

My journey proves to be one great experience after another. Remember I spoke of buying material for my Salwar Kameez? Well here is the end result. Can you believe it cost 5USD to make! I wore it to a wedding we were invited to.

What do you think?

More to come on the actual wedding I attended :)

I Could Eat This Everyday!

I've finally found something I can sink my teeth into. Yup, last I spoke of food, I was having a difficult time with breakfast and the snacks;everything is spicier than I anticipated. While I've eaten Naan, on occasion, I've been totally living a vegetarian lifestyle of greens and fruit! Yeah... Can you imagine.

For the first time in two weeks I had a solid meal. It was by no exaggeration-- Amazing. What was it you ask, chic peas chipatti and okra!!!! As simple as it sounds and as needy as I was for a good meal, it was heavenly.

Thank God for small favors.
TTYS.

Crossing Over and Safe Arrival in India

So as a woman, of course I packed way too much! First goal was to only bring one suitcase and a carry-on. My bag was definitely over the 50lb limit (88lbs *head hung low*) the teller at the airport could not stop laughing! I had to remind them that I'm going for two months! A lady needs her stuff. Nonetheless, I purchased an overpriced duffel at the airport to separate my stuff.

The flights were pretty long. I slept through every time they were going around to take meal orders. My meals were all defaulted to vegetarian. LOL... so far so good, let's see how long I can keep this vegetarian thing up. They gave this snack on the plane that didn't quite go well with my taste buds...sort of like spicy noodles? Not my favorite! 

I'm In India!! Wow!

What a long journey to Jamkhed! JFK to London then London to Mumbai. The security is serious here on this side if the world! The US has nothing to complain about. I actually saw someone who had been tasered down by security. From Mumbai a car service met us at the airport to take us to Pune to then meet a CRHP representative to drive us to Jamkhed.

Everyone is pretty friendly so far. On the five hour drive to Pune from Mumbai the driver stopped next to another car (we got a little nervous since it was in the middle of the night) but it was so the other passengers could get into another car since we were going to different locations. From Pune, we met a the CRHP rep driving an Izuzu trooper in front of the Samrat Hotel. The driver was nice and we pulled over to have a light snack - some "tea." I probably had the best Chai tea I've ever had!

We arrived into Jamkhed at 7am the next morning just in time for class! Yes, class. I can express how tired I am but I think the endorphins have taken over. I am just so excited to be here the fatigue is taing a baack seat at this time. I am looking forward to coming back to my room and resting my head...

Talk to you soon.

Hello and Welcome

Howdy! Welcome to my little space in the blogisphere. It's the place where you will find all of my musings as I spend the next two months in Jamkhed, India. I plan to tell you of my teaching adventures, the people, the culture, the food, and any other interesting tid-bits I come across on my journey. I hope you enjoy the ride!

xoxo Na'Dege