Working Hard.

Holy overburdened intern, Batman!

Yea, I actually said that. For the last three weeks we really haven’t had much to do here at Gram Chetna, except write annual reports. I’ve expressed my frustrations with writing the reports to you all, so I’m going to move past that. Actually, I’m finishing the last one up in the next day or two and it isn’t too unpleasant. Yesterday I hit a wall with my procrastinating. That’s usually how it goes. I’ll putz around, not doing any real work on a specific project, then all of the sudden I realize there‘s no getting out of it. Then I’ll get to work.

That’s what happened yesterday and now I’m a machine. And really, the report is not that bad. It’s boring, tedious, and I really don’t know what I’m talking about. But all in all, it’s not horrible.

But, holy crap do they have more work for us?!?! Two days ago Prashand asked me to take a look at a grant from the Australian Embassy, adding there was no rush because nothing needs to be submitted for a month or so. Then Amit asks me to write a proposal for another organization. But for this project… well, there is no project, yet. That’s for me to develop, along with the budget and everything else. What?!

On another note, I don’t think I was entirely accurate when I said I don’t really like it here. When I’m out on field visits I love India and Gram Chetna. It’s just when I’m stuck on this compound, the same place I sleep, eat, work, and spend my free time, I get a little tired of it. Today turned out to be one of the great days. It involved a bit of hard work, a women’s group visit, a dust storm, going to a party, hunting down kids for sponsorship photos, meeting a woman who wanted to adopt me, and one special surprise I’m going to make you wait for.

The first half of the day was spent in the office. I asked Rajiv if he was going on any field visits today. I was hoping to tag along because I haven’t left this place in what feels like forever. He said he was going sometime in the afternoon and asked if I could handle the midday heat. I cringed on the inside, but thought if I said no due to the heat I might not get another chance. That, and if I wimped out because of the heat I’d be a little disappointed with myself, too.

So at about 2:00 p.m. I slapped on some sun block and hopped on the motorbike. The first stop was a Self-Help Group (SHG) meeting. Just to give you the inside scoop, SHG meetings are not a bunch of people sitting around talking about their daddy issues. When I first heard the term I thought it was some sort of group therapy session, but it’s not. SHGs are groups of around 20 women who save money together, and take turns borrowing different amounts. It’s one of the many forms of microfinance prevalent in the developing world. The groups and the meetings are pretty much run by the members themselves. But most, if not all, of the women are illiterate, so Rajiv has to keep the groups’ books.

The meetings themselves are a little boring and I never really understand what is going on. Today there were two arguments over what? I don‘t know. One kid kept tickling my feet and I became close friends with a group of adolescent girls. As a side note, it’s fun to know that no matter what country you go to, thirteen year old girls get the giggles all the same. Just as the meeting was wrapping up, a dust storm came out of nowhere. I mean nowhere! Clear skies one moment and then suddenly a sandblaster to the face the next. Almost immediately the bickering stopped, the women paid what they needed to pay and everyone went home.

Then, like an angel in the night, a random man appeared through the dust and asked if we’d like to come eat lunch at his house. Rajiv can get a little awkward at times like this. I don’t think he really wanted to go, but he could tell I really wanted him to say yes. I was starving! So we went to this man’s house, which was more like a stable, and we feasted on the floor with his family.

Here I would like to tell you something I’ve been meaning to tell you all for the last two weeks. The number one piece of advice I’ve been given about safe travels in India is under no circumstances ever drink the water. But folks, I’m drinking the water. There is no way not to! When I go on field visits, the first thing I am offered is a plastic lawn chair to sit on. The second item I am offered is a cup of tap water to drink. If I don’t take at least one medium sized swallow, I feel like I’m being rude. A few entries ago I mentioned there are some behaviors for fitting in as a foreign intern. One is no photojournalism, and the other is drink just a little bit of the water.

Where was I? So after lunch, in the style I’m awkwardly growing accustomed to, we left immediately. Next we were off to hunt down children to take their photos and measure their height. This was a little boring and tiresome, so I’ll spare you most of the details. I got to hold a baby, which was cool. And I even made her smile, which is crazy. So far in India, I’ve only made babies cry. The smile was a welcome change.

On the last photo stop we found ourselves at the home of a woman who told me she wanted me as her daughter. This was obviously a rough translation from Rajiv, but it was pretty obvious she thought I was the bees knees. I didn’t even say anything before she had grabbed my hand and was leading me into her house, trying to make me put on prettier clothes. It’s times like this I think Rajiv doesn’t want me with him on field visits. Quite frankly, I cause a scene everywhere I go. He always has to explain what I’m doing there and where I am from, he has to translate messages, accept invitations for chai, the list goes on and on. I get the feeling, especially when we’re out taking pictures, that he just wants to get in and get out. But when I’m there everything is a big elaborate production.

There are many joint families in this area, meaning several generations on one bit of land, sharing common living space. While at this home I was taken into one house and I was given chai. Rajiv left me while he was taking pictures and collecting information on the various kids in the nearby homes. So I was left chillin in this house with a bunch of people who didn’t speak English. So there was a lot of smiling and laughing going on. About ten minutes later Rajiv returned so we could head back to Gram Chetna. We had almost walked to the road when my Indian mom yelled something about chai. Rajiv said something back, but before he finished the sentence the woman had come out of her house and had me by the wrist. Despite Rajiv’s protests she was pulling me back towards her home.

She had already began to make us chai, which usually involves milking the family goat. I thought it would be rude to leave, but Rajiv really didn’t want to stay. I told him that he could make the decision, telling her we couldn’t stay. At one point I stood up to leave, but she grabbed me and sat me back down. All I could do was laugh nervously. She wouldn’t take no for an answer. For a moment I felt a little bad for Rajiv. He really wanted to leave, and I was laughing and instigating the whole thing. Then I snapped out of it! Who cares if he really wanted to leave. We were only going back to Gram Chetna to end the day, not off to another home to take more photos. He can give three minutes to take this woman up on her drink and run chai invite.

So that’s exactly what happened. As we were drinking another boy walks up. It turns out to be one of the sponsored children who still needed to have his photo and information taken down. Indian mom turns to me, gives a little smile and we share a look. He was in such a rush to leave!

This is the part of the story I wanted to keep a surprise until the end. As we said our quick goodbyes raindrops began to fall on our heads. You have no idea the immense joy this rain brought me! This last week has been intolerably hot. With the rain, the temperature suddenly became cooler and the breeze, although humid, was so refreshing. The drive back home was a little harsh with the drops smacking against our cheeks, but I didn’t mind at all. The rain was a perfect way to finish up the day.

It’s amazing how much a day like today can lift my spirits. This Sunday I believe John, Prashand and I are heading into Jaipur for the day on the bus. This will give me a chance to see how to get to Jaipur and back to Khedi Milak again. I don’t think I am going to be spending many more weekends sitting around here, twiddling my thumbs. Once I figure out how to get to and from Jaipur, I’ll be getting out of here on a weekly basis.

MCC