Slum School, India
“Good morning, baby,” Raj would say bringing a tray with masala chai tea to my bed. He had this way of talking like we were all brothers and sisters and his terms of endearment extended to us like family. “Time to wake up.” In a groggy mess, I’d accept the tea and place it on the headboard of the bed while I allowed myself a few more minutes to fully wake up. Shannon, another volunteer that shared the bed with me did the same–neither one of us “morning people”–while the two male volunteers sipped their teas in the other room.
This was our morning ritual.
The house would wake up. Our host family would prepare our breakfast. An egg omelet sandwich or chapati bread with potatoes. A second helping of masala tea. Benji, their six year-old son, would prepare for school. Subha, the mother, would bring him to school while Raj, the three other volunteers and I would walk the ten minutes to the local slums.
It’s so hard to formulate thoughts into sentences sometimes. Especially with something as complex and chaotic as India. You can’t escape the dirt there. Travel guide books show colorful pictures of pristine streets and happy people. Don’t believe it. India is dirty. Garbage littered everywhere. Dirt and dust from undeveloped sidewalks. Wearing flip-flops, as I did, you’re bound to get your feet covered in dirt and your toenails lined with black grit. Yet for all of the mixed feelings; as varied as the mixed smells, I do love it. There’s something quite magical and intangible about India that pulls me back. That remains a part of me. That lets me know India has my heart.
Embracing our dirtyness.
As we approach the dirt mounds that line the entrance of the slums, kids play cricket and bathe outside. Poverty greets me left and right as most of the kids staring back at us do not have shoes. Tiny huts made of dirt or mud or brick come at me left and right, as I walk one foot after the other on the dirt path. Of course, they don’t really come at me but that is how it feels like when you’re just concentrating on looking straight ahead, trying to block your mind from thoughts going overdrive to an environment Western eyes do not usually see. Trying not to become emotional. Putting your game face on and your mind on automatic. Step left, step right…
When we reach the slum school the kids are already seated and cheerfully greet us with smiles.
“Good morning, mam! Good morning, sir!”
It is like there is an invisible wall where the school is. Conducted entirely outside, some village bystanders watch “outside” of the school parameters. Donated desks–most falling apart–are what the children use as some cram two to three to a seat. The class is divided into two groups. Small kids, ranging from aged 5 to 7 and big kids, from 8 to 10. I handle the little kids and teach them English one desk at a time. They all cram towards me holding their notebooks out to show me their homework. With no teaching experience, babysitting experience, or much kid experience at all, it is exhausting to have them flock towards me.
Kids are kids no matter what part of the world you’re in. There are always going to be your typical troublemakers at the back of the class or the teacher’s pet working diligently on her studies. Despite the poverty, and their constantly runny noses visibly dripping snot, they seemed genuinely happy, especially when involved in playtime. With the simplicities of life in the slums, kids still find a way to shine through their resilient spirits.
Children at play.
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12 Responses to “Slum School, India”
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I’m scared of India. Say all you want about its color, history, culture and tradition, I still wouldn’t want to spend time there. I think I would go paranoid with the thought of the crowds.
.-= ShatterShards´s last blog ..Hundred =-.
I think the person above just outlined the entire reason why racism and ignorance exists.
People are fucking scared. Too scared to reach across man-made boundaries and connect with other human beings that we share this world with.
And that’s a real damn shame.
Personally, I thought this was an excellent post that gives necessary insight into things that many people don’t get to see. And because they don’t see it, they don’t understand it. And instead, they marginalize others’ “color, history, culture and tradition” in favor of remaining safe.
.-= Ash´s last blog ..Dream Zappers Part II: Why They Zap, Squash & Belittle Your Aspirations =-.
Maybe I shouldn’t speak for others, but I’ll just offer up this thought: I didn’t interpret ShatterShards’ comment as being anything other than an expression of a personal fear of crowds. That’s a fairly common fear, and has nothing to do with ignorance, racism, or marginalization.
But maybe I just assume the best about people/situations until I have reason not to…
.-= Kristan´s last blog ..Feeling human after all =-.
ah, didn’t realize this would turn into a somewhat heated conversation
i think you’re right. i didn’t get that tone from shattershard either BUT it is worth bringing up that fear does play a role in ignorance and racism. but not all fear points to racism and ignorance. so i just don’t think this was the best example of it.
Fear can set you back with a lot of things, but it can also be a great motivator! I agree that racism and ignorance exists out of fear, of differences, of unknowns, etc. We’re all humans here!
I also think ShatterShard’s comment wasn’t racist. Fact is, India is very crowded and will soon be the most populous country in the world. Even I in Taiwan sometimes don’t feel well in the crowds at night markets, I just don’t like to be pushed and squeezed. And some places like Taiwan, Hong Kong or India are really crowded and that’s not everyone’s thing. I don’t like, when people label you as racist or ignorant, just because you don’t like some place for some personal reasons. That’s ignorant, imho. One small comment, which can be interpreted in different ways, can’t be enough to really judge someone, whether he or she’s a racist or not.
And btw, Floreta, great post. Your experience is really unique and I guess I’d not be able to do something like that. So kudos to you
.-= My Kafkaesque Life´s last blog ..Our trip to lovely Jiufen 九份 =-.
i like your thoughts.
india IS an insanely populated country. just 30million alone in new delhi! that kind of crowd would make lots of people uncomfortable and dizzy. it is VERY overwhelming especially when you go to markets and everyone’s coming at you trying to make a deal.. also very exhausting.
India is definitely one of those countries where you need a bit of a thick skin! And definitely not the “easiest” country to travel to especially for newbie travelers! The language barrier is HUGE. It is actually quite photogenic though, despite being such a developing nation (more than the Philippines, IMO). India is a country you’ll either love or hate, but just have to experience for yourself. Depending on your age, stage of life, etc. India can be a completely new and different experience each time you go. I guess that’s true for any country, but I really feel India has a lot of enigmatic magnetism that way. Am I even making sense? haha..
You write capital letters awesomely.
not sure what this means but thank you
I love their expressions in that last shot! How beautiful.
.-= Kristan´s last blog ..Feeling human after all =-.
Nice blog
I like the photos so much !
Marinela
.-= Short Poems´s last blog ..Fighting pollution (Tanka Poems) =-.