Amazing people

Another crazy week in Calcutta. As well as starting work I have been trying to experience other aspects of life in the city. I have tried a not so successful Bollywood dance class, an absolutely hilarious Indian film and more methods of transport than I thought I would in a week. With rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, bicycle-rickshaws, trams, taxis, motorbikes and metros; who would have thought taking the bus would be the most dangerous?! Firstly they have no sign on the front to say where they are going, so it is just a matter of running after one and hoping for the best. Secondly they don’t stop…you just run on and jump off! While on board you are joined by more people than thought possible and their driving skills are just about on par with the regular Indian drivers so travel sick pills are definitely necessary….

I have also begun to get used to people asking to have a photograph with me on a regular basis (who knew I’d be so popular here?) and also the constant remarks about my height – “oooooooo you are a good height, yes..” A not so welcome comment yesterday came though in relation to my many mosquito bites from a random market seller, “Do you always have those red things? I might have a cream for you.” So being white, tall and now slightly red seems to be making me new friends everywhere!

This week I have met some of the NGOs Tzedek will be working with and had the opportunity to visit other organizations working in the area.

Ankur Kala is a women’s home for women from disadvantage backgrounds such as children of prostitutes, widows, orphans and women in abusive homes. They provide them a safe space during the day and teach them economic skills such as embroidery and jam making so they can earn some skills to help them our of their situations. Visiting them was such a pleasure. They start their morning with a yoga class which is followed by prayers the women have written (and a few psalms – hodu l’Hashem ci tov!) This was extremely moving to watch and highlighted their need for not only education and business/skills help but also there spiritual needs. The woman who runs the home founded it over 20 years ago and has watched it grow into the success it is today, Annie is truly a remarkable women. She is just one of the amazing people I have met in the 10 days I have been here. There are so many people here who have seen the many problems that people in Calcutta face and have decided to not wait for someone else to do something but to be the force for change which is needed.

Last Friday I had the opportunity to visit the clinics of Calcutta Rescue who help over 500 patients with much needed medical treatment and basic provisions. As well as the clinics they run 2 schools and have a handicraft centre where they train women from villages. This NGO was started in 1979, again by one man, an English Doctor called Dr. Jack, who while visiting Calcutta started treating people who were living on the streets and didn’t have access to medical treatment. Just 30 years later his charity has grown into a great success and a provider of care for so many people in trouble.

In addition to the incredible people who work at the NGOs I have visited I also get to live with other volunteers from around the world. The volunteers who live in my building have all given 6 months of their time (as well as one man who has been volunteering here for nearly 4 years!) to different organizations in the city. Whether its these long term volunteers or the local Indians working in charities, they have all made me think so much about the use of our time and what we really can achieve. With all the resources available to us, how exciting to think what we could be doing? What a great way to start working here and an inspiration for life these amazing people are being.