About this time a year ago I made a commitment to myself to take time to discover more about life. The way I planned this was through travel to a third world country. This may sound like a pretty extreme idea, but I have always been interested in other cultures and for me, it's been conversations with people from different backgrounds that have really challenged my perspective and shaped the way I think about the world. I wanted to take my learning to a new level by being immersed in a situation that would force me out of my comfort zone and into the unknown. Being taken out of American society and put into another culture will allow me to be stripped of familiarities to then learn what is necessary and what is a luxury. I hope to become less attached to material aspects of life and more focused on the essentials.
In addition to a life challenge, I see this trip as an opportunity to attempt to understand extreme poverty and the barriers to improving these conditions. I've always had an issue with poverty. I've always wondered the "right" way to deal with it emotionally, intellectually, and financially. To this day, I see a homeless person at the side of the road and I never know what action I should take. Should I give them money, food, or direct them to the local homeless shelter for resources? There are so many different views about the best way to tackle poverty. Some say don't perpetuate the cycle and others feel guilty and compelled to do something in the moment. In addition to the complex issue here in the US, there's a different type of poverty in 3rd world countries. In this poverty, people mame fellow beggars in order to incite more sympathy in the eyes of those with resources. In this setting, shame for immoral actions is a luxury. People are focused on daily survival needs -questions on what to eat and what to drink are the only thoughts in their minds. I endeavor to face poverty head on. Witness it as much as I can and learn as many ways as I can to combat the issue. What does it take to eradicate a community? What mindset do people who work in these settings have? How do we deal with poverty emotionally, intellectually, and how do they act to change it?
So, here I am in India. I will be spending the next 4 months in a rural setting learning more about myself and different approaches to combatting the seemingly unjust conditions of people living in extreme poverty. I will be leaving behind many conveniences and luxuries which I expect will provide me with a newfound appreciation for my life in America.
It's important to point out that I do not intend to be a "savior" to impoverished communities. Some people who pursue international development work often try and change a community based on their own idea of what is "right." The key is to do the work WITH the community which promotes lasting changes. This is why I have chosen two programs that focus on sustainable solutions such as education and development self help groups. The first program I will be participating in is an educational-based project in the state of Tamil Nadu called Shanti Bhavan's Children Project. The second is the Young Women's Idea under the management of a non-governmental organization called Educare India doing community development work in the states of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
Before heading to these sites, I will be in New Delhi for 2 weeks and doing some exploring within the city here. Although I have been here before, there is still much to see and I hope to visit some community projects here as well.
I will use this blog to update everyone and post pictures throughout my travels. I am so thankful that I have so many people in my life that have shown me such love and support in this endeavor. I am particularly grateful to have such wonderful parents that have faith in me and my pursuits.
