contradictions

Today was my last day at the st. joseph's school. each day on my 5 minute drive to the school (i was a passenger...don't worry...no way would i be driving in india!!) i would see an amazing arry of life being played out on the street: women preparing and selling breakfast on the "sidewalk", a man who ironed clothes, schoolchildren on bicycles, and the usual array of cows, vehicles, and people, people, people.

as we are approaching christmas this has brought up many thoughts about the Global Volunteers program here in India. While GV is nondenominational, the projects here in India are all run through Christian organizations. I have no doubt whatsoever that we/they are helping the children who have so few opportunities and so many challenges. But it raises many questions for me - not only as a non-christian, non-religious, spiritually-oriented Yoga practitioner of Jewish origins...but also the fact that we are in a religiously diverse, predominantly Hindu, country.

That said - here are some considerations to ponder. Although the rigid caste system in India was supposedly abolished many years ago, it still pervades many aspects of life - with the Brahmins at the top of the social, educational, and economic spectrum, and the lower castes...formerly referred to as "untouchables" still at great economic disadvantage and often consigned to low paying jobs.

As we learned from our GV host Stephen, while Gandhi advocated the abolition of the caste system in India, it was Dr Ambedkar who was the primary champion of the cause. His father joined the British army and fought against India's independence, because this was one of the few ways for lower caste individuals to have a better career. Thus - Ambedkar was educated abroad and eventually became a major advocate for caste abolition in India. As was the case witht he civil rights movement in the US - apparently there were arguments as to whether there should be a quota system set aside for the advancement of lower caste individuals. This was advocated by Ambedkar and, today, if people of lower caste list their caste on government forms they can get certain educational and job advantages.

On the other side was the conversion of lower caste individuals to christianity. As a religion that does not recognize the consignment of people to the caste into which they are born, rejection of Hinduism by lower caste people was considered liberating for many. According to Stephen, there is a very high rate of christianinty in Chennai - predominantly from people who were of lower caste families who can escape the stigma that low caste still holds in this society. Ironically - these christian converts who do not list their caste on government forms cannot take advantage of the governments set-asides for low caste individuals.

So - all that said - we are preparing to celebrate christmas tomorrow witht he children at the SEAMs home - all of whom will spend Christmas with whatever family they have...in many cases a parent who is too poor to care for them full-time...in other cases a distant relative. Whatever the religious belief - these are beautiful spirited children who have virtually no material possessions or advantages - but are nevertheless charming, entertaining, intelligent, and full of life. As you can imagine - anytime someone pulls out a camera they clamor for their photos bto be taken and enjoy seeing their image on the digital camera screen. The cry of "miss, one only photo" constantly rings in our ears. What this means is: please tak a picture of me alone.

As our group was pondering what gifts we would like to get for the children (which will include candy, grooming items, and small toys) I hit upon what all agreed was a brilliant idea (if I do say so myself). We decided to take a solo phot of all 40 of the children and get them printed to present with their gifts. We all are looking forward to seeing the childrens' excitement tomorrow when they get their own copy of their "one only photo."

So - I heard today that it was 1 degree in Arlington...yikes - it seems inconceiveable - as I spend each "winter" day here sweating like a pig and swatting mosquitos.

love to all