A Smile that began the Journey of a Thousand Miles-1
Kushi, in the Indian language means “happy”. This was the name of a small framed woman smiling back from the video screen. A courageous smile of a petite lady that overcame incredible challenges to survive and protect her children melted my heart and the other 299 watching her on video in the plush ballroom of the Anaheim Plaza. It was a fundraiser event to benefit communities in the Himalayan foothills overcome cycles of abuse and dependency. In a gathering of a fairly elite group, out stood the image of this weather beaten, undernourished, defiant woman smiling ear to ear with an air of confidence and pride in her accomplishment of overcoming the odds of starting over. Her resolve to better herself and determination to not let circumstances or society get the better of her was clearly evident. In the Pahaadi (tribal) tradition of a wife fulfilling every wish of her alcoholic husband and her in-laws even at the cost of her own physical well being and the welfare of the young children, Kushi withstood several years of neglect and abuse until one day her four year child was severely beaten with several broken bones and she fought back. She has had enough! She had no education, no means of financial support, no family to back her effort, only a determination to protect her children and herself.
Breaking away from a marriage and the protection of a “husband’, a concept unprecedented for these communities and even a social taboo; it takes considerable strength of character and determination to haul oneself out of one personal challenge only to walk into a condemning society for breaking away from the local social norms. Her smile beamed with the pride of that achievement!!!!
She had thanked CORD- the service wing of a spiritual organization dedicated to empowering women and youth through economic self reliance, for her transformation.
She had to say no more. Her story was captivating!! Needless to say, her story had brought a flood of interest to find more about CORD and so started the journey of discovery.
CORD stands for Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development. Inspired by an Indian spiritual master Swami Chinmayananda, Dr. Kshma Metre; a young pediatrician followed the master to the foothills of the Himalayas to serve the health needs of the tribal villages. She soon discovered that the health issues were preventable and quickly expanded her program to include basics of hygiene, sanitation and nutrition. The pace of change was slow. Dr. Metre realized that in order to bring about a sustainable change, she had to effectively address several relevant personal, social, economic, environmental and educational elements that impeded change. She single handedly championed this cause to change the lives of the “people of the hills” and her effort has yielded an organization that stands as a model of change and rural development that has transcended borders and has won the praise and the financial support of several international governments and charities.
Little did I know how this would change my life! to be continued.....
A Smile that began the Journey of a Thousand Miles- part 2
By Vijaya R. Cherukuri
In July of 2007, I set out on a journey to the Indian subcontinent to explore Siddhabari, home of the CORD program. It is a sleepy little town nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. Along with a group of fifty other Angelenos, I stayed in the Chinmaya Ashram (monastery) and participated in a week long retreat. The lush green rice fields against a back drop of the tall snow covered peaks was just the right setting for a quiet week of contemplation. A few yards from the monastery was an old rusty archway that was the entrance to the CORD facility in Siddhabari. A two storey building with a red tile roof housed the primary health care center and several other service components of CORD, each department manned by teams with color coded uniforms to set them apart. We were greeted by a couple of volunteers whose smile radiated warmth that no words can express. They escorted us upstairs to a large hall where seated on the floor of a raised platform was Dr. Kshama Metre, the national Director of the CORD program. She peered over the rim of her metal glasses acknowledging our arrival and smiled to reveal a partially toothless smile but one that radiated compassion like a Mother Theresa incarnate. Seated in organized groups in front of her were scores of uniformed CORD volunteers looking intently at Kshama didi, as they fondly called her; waiting to fulfill any wish she commanded. She invited the group to entertain the guests with devotional hymns and some tribal folk songs. As the group enthusiastically performed, she looked on with great pride. These were the women that she had extracted out of desperation and encouraged them into self sufficiency, not by handouts but by simply guiding them into finding their own solutions to their problems.
These women were in turn volunteering to help other women. The spirit of service was infectious. As the visitors watched the no nonsense approach of Dr. Metre’s leadership and her gentle guidance of the tribal folks, it was abundantly clear why this program had been so successful. Many of the visitors opened their wallets to make handsome donations and many others pledged support in various ways. We all left the CORD facility deeply moved by the experience and convinced that individually and collectively we could all do a lot more to help our fellow beings.
Back in Los Angeles, life continues in the usual rushed pace. However, the smiles of pride and the joy of serving others that beamed across the room in the CORD facility remained etched in the heart. What could I do to make a difference? A real difference! I looked into the California Dental Association’s Himalayan Dental project which offers free dental services at camps set up by volunteer dentists from California. That idea did not go too far. Dr. Metre pointed out that the villagers were more concerned with their day to day sustenance and teeth at the time were not a priority. I was thinking like a dentist!! It then occurred to me that these communities were facing numerous challenges and perhaps bringing awareness to their plight may serve a better purpose. When an appropriate opportunity opened up, I volunteered myself to represent the interests of CORD in the Los Angeles area. One magical smile opened up this path of service for me!! I was hooked….. to be continued……….
A Smile that began the Journey of a Thousand Miles- Part 3
By Vijaya Cherukuri
The more I found out about CORD, the more inspired I was. CORD program is a bond of love between the haves and the have-nots where the have-nots take charge of their own destiny. The giver and the receiver both get rewarded with gifts- the receiver is blessed with transformation and the giver grows spiritually. As my involvement grew, so did my enthusiasm. My children picked up on this enthusiasm and they too wanted to join the effort. Another friend, who had traveled to Siddhbari with me the previous summer also wanted her daughter to share the experience. So together we started planning a trip to escort our children to Siddhabari. However, the schedules did not match up for a summer visit and a visit in the winter to the Himalayas was a logistical challenge. Air travel or road and rail access was unpredictable. Dr. Metre suggested serving in another CORD location in the south of India where weather would not be a deterrent in December. Coimbatore, a southern town with great weather and beautiful landscape became our destination for service.
A group of seven youth-3 boys and 4 girls set off on a 10,000 mile journey from Los Angeles to Chennai, the southern metropolis of India. The group included my two children along with their friends. As long as we were taking the time to plan out a detailed trip for our children, Nimmi (my Sunday school friend) and I decided that it may be worth opening this opportunity to serve to other youth who may be interested. Each person had to fill out a questionnaire about why they wanted to serve and what they could contribute to this CORD project. We were then able to sift through the criteria and put together this group that was willing to pay their own way to Coimbatore (a hefty fare considering the trip was across the globe and the travel dates were during the peak winter travel season).
Considering that this was our maiden venture, we took no chances. The youth and the parent volunteers were required to follow all recommended medical precautions especially against malaria and hepatitis. Equipped with necessary emergency supplies and suitcases stuffed with snacks and other goodies, we all boarded different flights to coincide with our individual schedules with the objective of meeting up in Chennai on the 21st of December. Arrangements were made for the group to be housed in the Chinmaya Ashram (monastery) in Chennai. None of the youth members had previously traveled independently to India but they arrived safely in Chennai still enthusiastic and determined to make a difference. I couldn’t wait to see how this American pop culture youth group would adapt to an environment of strict discipline, traditional protocols and maintaining inner silence. What happened next was truly a surprise..!!!
to be continued....
The Smile that began the Journey of a Thousand Miles- part 4
Excited but tired, the group dragged their feet and their super- sized American bags across the airport lobby into the waiting van. The driver pulled out and merged into traffic flowing on the right of the road while the children absorbed the markedly different surroundings they were driving through. The streets were packed – packed with people, automobiles, buses, double decker buses, lorries ( trucks as we call them), scooters and other two wheelers and auto rickshaws (three wheeler taxis). The air conditioned van kept the sultry heat out and muffled the steady sound of honking cars. While the eyes were still feasting on the lively scenery we were driving past, the driver honked bringing our attention to the moment - we were there - we were at the Chennai ashram! The driver informed the guard about the visitors staying overnight in transit to Coimbatore. The guard manually opened the gate to allow the van to drive through with a quick salute.
The driver parked in the red dirt close to the ashram doorway, a local version of valet service. He then walked around to open the door for all of us - the warmth in hospitality was already evident. He pointed to the business office as we got off. A gentleman clad in white greeted us and grabbed a bunch of keys as he escorted us down a covered corridor. He made his way to the dining hall and yelled out a few orders in Tamil- the local dialect.
It was after hours for lunch service but he had made arrangements to keep the dining hall open for the “guests”. Each of us had to grab a plate with multiple bowls, a mug and a spoon from a neatly stacked rack and walk over to the serving line to be served generous helpings of rice, curry, yogurt and crispies - the staple diet of the region.
We were then guided to long rows of tables to seat ourselves. We ate the food very quietly while the hosts repeatedly offered second helpings. We then had to wash our used utensils and again neatly place them back on a table to dry. After, we walked across the courtyard to enter a two storey building, walked up a flight of stairs and waited while the ashram volunteer unlocked a lock and opened the door to the dorm room. He switched on the lights and the ceiling fan and led the way into a fairly large room. There were some foldable beds with sheets and blankets neatly laid out. Adjoining was a bathroom and a small kitchenette. He politely enquired if the arrangements were satisfactory and when we nodded the affirmative, he excused himself with an invitation to afternoon tea. In the privacy of our quarters, the whole group let out a huge sigh of relief. That was our first exercise in following local protocol. I was just glad the generally fussy eaters survived the first traditionally spicy Indian meal without incident. But this was just the beginning……… to be continued..
A Smile that began the Journey of a Thousand Miles-5
In the privacy of our temporary quarters and in comfortable
company, the kids kicked off their shoes and jumped on the folding beds and
quickly realized these were not the plush mattresses they were used to. Some
checked out the bathrooms to make sure they were the western commodes. There was not much unpacking to do because
each packed an overnight bag for the stay in Chennai, en route to Coimbatore-our service
destination! Taking turns to shower and freshen up, we flopped onto our beds to
rest until tea time. The next thing I remember was waking up in a dark room and
looking around to find everyone still sleeping - jetlag was catching up with
us. We quickly realized we had missed the tea gong but had to get ready for
dinner instead. But most of the kids did not care about dinner - they just
wanted to catch up on their sleep. So the adults in the group decided to
represent the group at dinner and let the kids rest in the room. We did decide to meet later and discuss the
finer details of our onward train journey early the next morning.
In the dining hall, we mingled with the monks clad in yellow
and orange as they courteously walked up to inquire where we were from and our
plans for the visit. We also spoke to the chef and arranged for packed breakfast
and lunch for the next day’s train journey. Most Indian trains have dining cars
but we were concerned about the hygiene standards and that the food would be too
spicy for the Americanized palates. The ashram kitchen offered to have veggie
sandwiches and idlis (Indian breakfast dumplings) ready by 4.30 in the morning
and the food package would be left with the guard at the gate for us to pick up
as we drove out. After settling the charges for our stay with the office before
they closed for the day, I walked back to our quarters hoping the kids would be
up. They were feeling hunger pangs but it was too late to go to the dining hall
and too soon to test their immunity with Indian commercial food. They settled
for the healthier of the snacks that we had brought with us. We planned out the
logistics of driving to the railway station by 5.00 am to catch the 6.00 o’clock
train to Coimbatore.
“Just stay together and don’t eat any outside food.” We would have to work out
other issues as they arose! …….to be continued......
A Smile that began the Journey of a Thousand Miles – 6
By Vijaya Cherukuri
As the train pulled out of Chennai Central, the kids got to
their respective seats trying to trade the adult window seats with their own.
The early morning wake-up and the drive to the station was uneventful although
the challenge of fitting all ten of us, our super-sized bags and the food
packed by the ashram for the journey—all in the mid-sized van was actually fun!
The looser passenger seatbelt laws in India came in handy!!
We hoped that the six hour train ride to Coimbatore
would be relaxing for those of us still reeling from the fast-paced activities
of the weeks’ past and it would offer the youth a view of rural life in India. Most of
them were unfamiliar with the harsh realities of rural India although many had visited India before
with family. There was excitement in exploring a new and unfamiliar world. The
reality of the less than privileged lifestyles that they were observing was
sinking in as evidenced in their facial expressions. The loud chatter slowly
subsided to a quiet reflection of the diversity of life as it was unfolding.
Some dozed off and others passively observed the passing landscape. Lunch time
was interesting—unfolding the paper packages to reveal an inner covering of
banana leaf holding the steamed rice and curry to keep the contents fresh and
another package of yogurt rice to cool the stomach after the spicy item—a
staple diet of South India! Right after were the Maalox moments—this was the
kids’ first crack of a full Indian menu!
Soon our train arrived in Coimbatore on schedule! As
the train slowed, the adults walked over to the door of the compartment on the
platform side of the train to identify our host, Dr. Meera, in the sea of red
turbans (the uniform of the local porters) and other bystanders. Finally, the
long awaited visit to Coimbatore
was happening and the anxiety of what was to come was dawning. to be continued.....
A Smile that began the Journey of a Thousand Miles -7
by Dr.
Vijaya Cherukuri
As the train to Coimbatore screeched to a halt, I got off and
peered over the sea of people to identify Dr. Meera. I knew her by name and so was not sure who
really to look for. As the others got off the train, we had to tactfully ward
off the porters in broken Tamil ( the local dialect) who were all too anxious
to help us unload the heavy bags from the train. I turned around to a gentle
tap on the shoulder and there she was—a short lady with a gentle face and a
warm welcoming smile, Dr. Meera. I recognized her face right away from a CORD
brochure. After, exchanging pleasantries, she shot off some instructions to her
driver in Tamil who then dealt with the porters and led the way to the waiting
CORD vehicle. The jeep designed to travel some rugged roads had a grey exterior
and the CORD emblem prominently displayed. As the jeep negotiated the narrow
roads, it was evident that this goodwill vehicle was not new to the
neighborhoods that we were driving through. People would wave and shout out
something which we were later told was a greeting “Hari OM,” a traditional
salute which means, “To you I bow.” People walking along side the narrow streets
would actually stop and let the vehicle pass as a sign of respect and reverence
to the important humanitarian work this vehicle usually was associated with—kind
of like a UN vehicle! Traveling in such
a vehicle seemed to be a privilege but it also reminded me of the
responsibility we bore to help our fellow human beings. Our first stop on the
way to the CORD center was a bangle factory.
The primitive and hazardous working conditions and the employment of
such young children was a rude awakening to the realities of sheer poverty. The
visiting youth were simply dumbfounded by what they saw. to be continued....
A Smile that began the journey of a
Thousand Miles-8
By
Dr.
Vijaya Cherukuri.
Seeing the cheerful attitudes of
the working youngsters in a bangle factory in Coimbatore, India
caused the American kids to begin a serious evaluation of their own lives. The
room that was the “bangle factory” was poorly lit and there were several
indigenous kids hovering over a couple of small lathes in the center of the
room. They excitedly busied their small hands to proudly display their work to
the visitors. Cute little children as it
turned out were not so little- malnutrition had hampered their growth. They didn’t seem too concerned that their
clothes were severely soiled or even tattered. At least, a dozen hands were
expertly maneuvering around a single lathe negotiating the sharp tips to carve
the intricate designs into the bangles, totally unconcerned that a simple slip
of the hand could chop away their livelihood. Needless to say, they had not
heard of OSHA or the existence of labor laws!!! The supervising adults in the
room didn’t seem any more concerned of the poor and unsafe conditions either.
The visiting youth walking around
to greet their young counter parts were simply baffled with the cheerfulness
that pervaded the room although they did not see a whole lot in front of them
to be excited about. One of the visitors
ran back to the van to retrieve a bag of candy from his luggage and after
seeking necessary permission from the supervisors distributed them. This was a
treat that was never experienced before. The working kids had their first taste
of American candy and the visiting youth had a first good taste of the
challenges that poverty imposes on humanity. After waving cheerful good byes to
our new friends, all of us got back into the van to drive to the CORD
center. The drive was very quiet-
everyone seemed absorbed in thought- perhaps being grateful for being blessed
with a good life. That was only the beginning of our dawning gratitude….to be continued.....
A Smile that began the Journey of a
Thousand Miles-9
Our drive to the CORD center was
quiet and reflective. As our youth absorbed the passing landscape of narrow,
winding roads through the coconut groves and the scattered huts and dwellings,
the accompanying adults mused with satisfaction. The purpose of our visit to India was already taking
shape. We were sensitizing our children
to the harsh realities of poverty!
A
couple of loud honks transported us back to the moment. The driver was alerting the center staff of
the arrival of the visitors. Dr. Meera, the physician and the resident program
coordinator, led the way to the facility.
We were met by her family, the staff, volunteers and a small group of
local kids, who had been waiting there for us all day. The welcome was very warm but the
surroundings could not warm our hearts or spirits. We knew that we were going
to be working in impoverished neighborhoods but this, not even the parents were prepared for! The collapsing roof
with mounds of dirt on the floor, mold covered walls, a courtyard with all
sorts of recyclables and trash strewn all over the place, weeds that were at
least a couple of feet tall in pools of accumulated rain water - perfect
breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other disease spreading insects.. This was the CORD center??? Our disappointment knew no bounds. The altar
and other posters that hung on the walls were covered in layers of dust. Now,
our musing turned to concern! Were our children prepared to be part of this
kind of a setting? Besides the concern
for their health and well being, were they emotionally ready to deal with these
extreme conditions. We had all taken the necessary medical precautions. Was
that going to be enough??? My head was
beginning to spin with all kinds of questions. We used the excuse of a long day
to have the driver take us to the Coimbatore Ashram to rest for the night. What
was in store for the next day would be anyone’s guess! to be continued.....
The Smile that began the Journey of a
Thousand Miles-10
Checking into the Coimbatore ashram after a
long day was a welcome relief! We would be left alone for the night to deal
with our emotions. What we had just witnessed were conditions beyond our
wildest imagination! It was definitely a time for the parents who escorted the
kids to reassess the situation!
As parents, we tried to lighten
the mood. We made note of the clean, serene and comfortable surroundings that
we were going to be housed in for the next ten days. We helped the kids take
turns to freshen up and tempted them with sinful treats that we unpacked from
our suitcases. As a group, we strolled to the dining hall for dinner but most of
us barely had an appetite. We really did not feel like socializing with the
ashram inmates so we quietly returned to our living quarters. Propping
comfortably on the beds, chairs or
whatever pieces of furniture we were closest to, each started to open up and
soon the somber mood changed into outbursts of a variety of emotions. “Why was
life so unfair?”, “How could people live like that- with nothing?”, “Why wasn’t
anyone helping to make conditions better?”. No one was really listening, instead we all
aired our frustrations. Although the question was on the tips of our tongues,
none of the parents had the courage to voice the most important question of
all. “Did we make a wasted trip?” We definitely under estimated the conditions
we came to improve. Where could we begin? What could ten of us do in less than
ten days? Did we even have the resources to make a dent of a difference? What
do we tell the kids? What was I going to
tell the resident coordinator of the CORD program with whom I had enthusiastically
communicated with for six months? The questions were endless. Then the
solutions came from the most surprising corner of the room. To be
continued…..
The Smile that began the Journey of a
thousand Miles-11
The youth and the escorting
parents were simply overwhelmed with the conditions at the CORD center. We had
come prepared to tutor kids with Math and English and to improve their computer
skills, volunteer in the primary health center, train the women to manage their
finances, counsel them on health, sanitation and nutrition, harp on the
importance of keeping their children in school, but after stopping at the facility
it became clear that this kind of help would be just a drop in the bucket. We
needed to do more, but what?
Then one of the kids meekly
suggested giving the center a serious facelift! A facelift! But we were going
to be there only for ten days! Who would bear the cost of making the
improvements? Did we have the tools or the experience to make this happen? Even
as we were asking these questions, there was the beginning of hope in salvaging
our trip. We, the parents; were listening as our children came up with the
ideas and the solutions. The principle behind the improvements to the center
was to exude confidence in those seeking shelter here, to give a comfortable
place for the group to meet! Instead of addressing each of their issues
individually, we would set up a center that could be their functioning home.
The resident volunteers were doing a super job providing day to day support
services which left them stretched and unable to handle the upkeep and the
maintenance of the existing systems. Everything grew quickly from this basic
idea. We would volunteer our effort and time.
The supplies needed for basic repairs couldn’t cost that much? Could it?
The youth pledged their own pocket money towards these costs and if we needed
technical help in areas beyond our abilities, we could also recruit indigenous
help within the villages we were serving!! All this talk was well and good, now
we would have to run our ideas by the resident coordinator of the program. We had spent months planning our trip’s
activities with her and now we were proposing to do something completely
different. Would she approve? To be
continued….
A Smile that began the Journey of
a Thousand Miles—12
The idea of giving the run down CORD center a face lift began to feel like a
great idea. A decent facility would definitely generate more confidence for the
both the volunteers and the recipients. The plans were falling into place but
now we would have to run it by the resident coordinator- Dr. Meera.
When we approached Dr. Meera with the proposal, she was surprised.
Surprised that the volunteers who had been planning for months to serve in
health clinics, micro banking and other volunteer opportunities to enhance
their experience towards individual career goals, would suspend them and work
on improving her center. She agreed to the proposal and even offered to
allocate funds from her center’s budget to help out with the costs. This was
the first time her center had volunteers from abroad and she too was eager to work
well with us. Her staff was even more excited than she was. They came up with a
number of improvement ideas although they seemed a little skeptical about where
all of this was going. A face lift in less than ten days - right! was the
expression I read on their faces. Perhaps as a courtesy they went along and so
we started the improvement project. Now we had everyone on board.
Let’s see! Where would we begin? Patch up the holes in concrete? Paint?
Treat the aging wood? Organize the library or the health clinic? Fix the
non-functioning electronic and computer systems? Clean up the yard? Re-install
the idol that was laying on the ground? Dust the altar and decorate the place?
We had to work this out in a way that the regular services being provided at the
center did not get impeded. The youth were energized but as parents, we wanted
them to pause and do a reality check. After all, we would not want them to be
overwhelmed. Boy, were we in for a surprise. to be continued…
A Smile that began the Journey of a
Thousand Miles-13
by Dr. Vijaya Cherukuri DDS
The entire group seemed excited
with the prospect of altering the face of the CORD center even if they had to
abandon the volunteer opportunities they had previously planned on. As a group
we scouted the facility to assess and find a starting point. The altar being
the center of this service organization, we agreed to begin there. The girls
went about dusting off the idols and the boys began drafting the layout of a
brick mount for the presiding deity. With the help of the local volunteers,
they made a list of supplies needed but they were going to have to hire a local
mason (brick layer) to actually build the mount and do the appropriate concrete
finishing. So, off they went in the CORD vehicle to pick up the supplies and
talk to the mason who happened to be one of the center’s beneficiaries to set
up a time to start work. While the girls remained in the center to organize the
teaching materials and medical supplies, the boys returned with the supplies
and an arrangement with the mason to start that afternoon. Lunch was routine considering the excitement
the group was feeling with the flow of events. Later that afternoon, we
returned to the center to check on the progress the mason had made. Then came
the first set back and a dose of reality. The mason did not show!! A CORD
volunteer had gone to check on him and discovered he was stone drunk. That’s
when the first sad statistic was revealed to us. Alcoholism was a rampant
problem in these villages and the saddest part was learning that most kids were
addicts by age seven. SEVEN!! A classic example of kids mimicking parent’s
behavior! Could this group of people be helped? Was this irresponsibility or
sheer despondency? It was an important difference for us to understand before
we put too much energy into helping this community! What we discovered was
chilling!
to be continued…
A Smile that began the Journey of a
Thousand Miles-14
By Dr.
Vijaya R. Cherukuri, D.D.S
The excitement of giving the CORD
center a face lift gave way to disappointment when the mason recruited did not
show up for the first segment of our work. Drunk at two in the afternoon? And
he was one of the beneficiaries of the center we were there to serve?
Our disappointment must have been
evident, because Dr. Meera, the local
coordinator of the program; followed us back to the ashram to explain. The
majority of the folks that seek help at the center thrive in sheer poverty
unsure of even their next meal. They survive moment to moment because
everything after that is uncertain. Men in particular, were vulnerable because
of the responsibility that traditional society placed on them as heads of household.
Born into circumstances that offered no education, little or no family backing
because of the meager resources, no sustainable means of livelihood and a
family brood to support, the only accessible escape from reality is alcohol.
Those of us visiting may look at it as irresponsible but for those caught in
this web of hopelessness, generation after generation; it was sheer
despondency. Dr. Meera explained that it was why our work was so important. To
offer hope and a way out of this cycle of helplessness! CORD was an empowerment
program that nurtured holistic development of individuals and communities that
it adopts. Unlike other charities that infuse cash and other handouts, this
unique program lends hope and confidence.
With faith in their emerging abilities and kindling their skills, CORD
enables the poor to transform their lives and inspire their neighbors to follow
their lead on the simple premise that inspiration from within can work wonders.
The explanation was captivating. Our admiration for Dr. Meera and her dedicated
volunteer team and their firm resolve to make a difference in the community
they chose to serve was inspiring. Now that we understood, we knew what we
needed to do. To be continued…
A Smile that began the Journey of a
Thousand Miles-15
By Dr.Vijaya
Cherukuri D. D. S.,
The problem of alcoholism that
was running rampant in the community we were there to serve was frustrating to
hear of at first but as we understood that is was despondency that drove them
to drown their problems in alcohol; the youth were able to get back on their
feet and resume the rehabilitation of the CORD Center. This facility was after all the resource
center for these impoverished people.
The mason, Hari; who was hired to
build the altar for the deity was contacted again and this time he showed up at
the appointed hour even though he still suffered a hangover. He managed to keep the pace and the vigor of
the work and towards the end of that afternoon shaped the altar to dramatically
alter the look of the courtyard. Such untapped
potential, I thought. Hari was scheduled to return the next morning to plaster
over the bricks and later to paint. We observed that he was quite pleased with
his work and the significant difference it made to the courtyard that few
doubted he would actually return to complete his assignment the next day. This development became the center of
excitement among the beneficiaries. Some passers by stopped into check out the
commotion and to see what Hari was up to and others followed to be part of this
growing energy. In a community stagnant
of any change, this relatively insignificant modification was enough to create
a buzz. Caught up in the excitement,
Hari volunteered to patch the holes in the walls with the left over mix of
cement and asked if we were planning to paint.
Hari actually started making suggestions and his buddies from his
village nodded in agreement. Hari and friends were planning away in Tamil, the
local dialect and we wondered if their plans for “their” center match with the
improvements we had in mind!!! To be
continued…
A Smile that began the Journey of a
Thousand Miles -16
By
Vijaya Cherukuri D.D.S
“What’s wrong”, Hari asked Mani
as he saw the American boy approach him with a frown. “I can redo the work if
he is not happy”. he eagerly offered. Hari’s expression eased considerably when
he learned that the American group was having trouble understanding the
direction of the conversation that he was having with his buddies in Tamil.
Unable to understand the local dialect, we were concerned if the plans Hari’s
group was making for their center would match up with our skill set and
available resources. “Phew” Akash breathed a sign of relief when he realized
were only discussing how they would decorate and use the altar after it was all
done. It was nice to see the beneficiaries engage in the center’s activities.
Hari patched up the breaks in concrete and holes
in the walls and the American kids busied themselves with painting the walls
with a red brick dye- the local trend. We had observed the color in the ashram
where we were staying and the visiting girls suggested that matching the colors
of the CORD center with the Mission center would help associate the CORD center
as the service wing of the Mission.
With the positive changes becoming visible in the center, it was relatively
easy to recruit more hands to help out.
The schools were closed for Christmas break, so those kids pitched in
too. After guiding them with using the paint brush a couple of times, they got
a hang of it. Throughout our stay in Coimbatore,
we were all struck by the alertness, cheerfulness and the receptivity of these
people we came to help. If they even had a fraction of the opportunities that
we take for granted, the heights that they could have soared to! Then we began
to discover their other hidden talents…. To
be continued