Terrace Talks & the Women's Picnic

Last week a new volunteer arrived who has an oddly similar background to mine, except that she's from NZ and lives in the UK. We both work in communications, would like to work in Corporate Social Responsibility or Cause Marketing, and have taken time off to see where India and the women's empowerment program fit into our lives and passions. She's staying at the smaller flat, as I am, that has only 8 girls. We usually end our weeknight evenings out on the terrace. Our 'terrace talks' this week have included sharing passionate ideas we had & have for the Women's Empowerment Program. One of the other volunteers - who is here to work with the children - so aptly stated, "You two are really passionate about this program aren't you?! You must have really thought about it before coming..." Haha. And we did. I shared the Little Travellers dolls and stories with them (thanks Mom, for supporting me during that time and buying so many that I could bring some here to inspire more women) and Nicola shared special sessions from her past goal setting / life coaching classes. I have such a high comfort level knowing that she'll be looking after my women and children when I leave. Through her and Sara - the other Saarthak intern - I hope to keep in touch with what this special NGO is doing and will continue to contribute where possible. And to be able to check up on my girls progress during the coming months is so important to me.

Yesterday being my second last day at work, we organized a picnic with the women's class to Nehru Gardens. Organizing tuk-tuks for three volunteers, one translator, seven women and three toddlers is not so easy. But we arrived and after only a little trouble, found one another.

Nutan, Sunita, Nirma, Jimena, Manna
Mamta, Seema, Pooja, Nikola and moi.
Plus three little ones.

Monu.

Seema & Laxmi. In the past 4 weeks
Laxmi has begun talking and it's been
so special to hear her first 'bye byes'.
Seema has one of the brightest smiles
I've ever seen. I only wish she would show it
off more often in photos!

Meet Manna, one of my dear friends. She captured me on the first day with her raspy voice and bright smile, but hard attitude (or so I thought at the time). I recently found out that she is married, but upon meeting her, her husband didn't want to live with her. His loss. She is living back with her parents now. She has a speech impediment, but has been the one regular woman at class everyday since I've been here. She is a mere 22 and has a bright future. I cut the 5th class piece specifically for her, as she will be taking the test for her first time at the end of this month. I've promised Nutan and Manna that I will be emailing within the month to hear that she's passed. Next, she'll study for and complete 8th class, as well as learning a vocational skill (beautician work, including henna, eyebrow threading and massage) and within two years she will have the opportunity to secure a job and support herself fully on her own.

Pooja had never seen ducks so seeing
them at the Gardens was a delight for her.

Nirma and Sunita are sisters in my class. They didn't show up very regularly during Diwali, but since then have been back almost everyday. They remind me a bit of me and my sister - they fight and then they laugh together and are best friends. They live together with their two children and their husbands and grandmother. I was at their house for chai the other day, when I learned about their youngest sister being married off at three years old. They too were married that same day, to brothers. They hope to take their Class 5 and Class 8 examinations soon too, while also learning a vocational skill (maybe sewing?). They have two adorable kids.

A tight tuk tuk ride home.

Last up, my adolescent girls Empowerment Presentations. We worked on them Wednesday and Thursday and then Friday they stood in front of the class and delivered two strong statements about women in India or in general. I videotaped them all and was pleasantly shocked by a couple of them. Most spoke about how women and men must be educated equally, that women should get an education so they don't have to rely on their fathers, brothers or husbands, etc. Many took the article we worked on this week (about toilets being necessary for girls in schools) and talked about that. But one of the newest girls, Pooja, stood up and talked about how wrong it is that they sometimes abort fetuses if they find out early on that it's a female. I stopped taping for a moment and we had a quick discussion about how "very, VERY wrong" this is... It's hard to hear from such young girls that they know this happens in their own country, but it was a good discussion to have and to know they understand how deeply wrong it is.

One bright young girl gave her full presentation in English (a change from Hindi for the others, and with only a little help) and one other smart young lady discussed the importance for generations to continue the train of education in order for long-term empowerment.

Pooja's presentation on female fetuses
being wrongly aborted.

Muskan gave me bright blue earring and a neckalace
as a Diwali gift. It's amazing what a little jewellery can
do. Everyone that day noticed it and complimented me -
whether they knew me or not.
Twice I was told I looked like Shakira.
Umm...right..

I am so proud to have been a small part of these girls lives. And as you can imagine, it makes me tear up thinking of leaving. But, I have one day yet (Monday is my last day) and we will take the girls for a picnic and distribute photo's that I've taken along with handwritten notes to each one.

So. My final weekend in Jaipur. Helpful note from the Universe: "Dwelling from, not upon, the space you want to inherit is the fastest way to change absolutely everything."

(you guessed it) Pyaar!