The day started slightly strangely as we woke up and slowly came to realize that the usually excited voices of the children were not present. SMTA was very quiet. We wondered why but neglected to ask anyone where all the children were. As we climbed the 2000 ft to Thanta where we would continue our appreciative inquiry for the day, we came across a few men making brightly coloured sweets and preparing for a fair. We could feel the excitement grow as we entered the village. That’s where all the children were!
The disabilities group went to see a spiritual healer who had lost his legs due to a narrowing of the blood vessels. He was however relatively comfortable with his disability and attributed to something he may have done in a past life. He now serves a great purpose in the village. He showed the group how he would diagnose people with the use of a long dice, and an old book written in ancient sanscrit.
It took time for the women’s health group to assemble women from the village as they were all dressing and preparing for the festival. Once we were all gathered, they were very open. After a while, a man came in and offered us a special treat – snow! Everyone else was excited, but we were a bit iffy about eating unknown water; so we politely refused by saying that in
Quickly it became time to go to the fair, so we were ushered out of the village and joined the flocks of people eagerly going to the fair. This is a special time for all villagers as it is a time when they can gather all together in one spot. With all the mountains and hard work they do, it can be very difficult to visit daughters and sisters who have married into another family and now live far away. There was music and dancing and people selling sweets and jewellery and cold drinks and fruit. We all just wanted to soak it all in and enjoy their culture; however we quickly found that we were becoming the spectacle. Wherever we went there was always a crowd of people following us and watching our every move. A little intimidating at first, but we are now somewhat used to being stared at, so we gave some children stickers brought from
What a great day! Although, what day hasn’t been?
Hope everyone is doing well in
-Madeleine
After feeling so tired from our uphill hike the day before, we took a longer but flatter walk to Qwansi village, 8 km down the road. The women’s health group was able to visit the hospital there, which was run by an NGO. It was inspiring to talk to the doctor there, who had grown up in the area and wanted to return to give back to his people rather than work in the city which pays more. It is also really interesting for all of us to learn about the relationship between the different types of health care here. Allopathic, or Western medicine, is not seen as better than others but just different ways of healing. It seems a lot more holistic, to use both Allopathic and Ayruvedic (traditional medicine). The doctor even referrs some patients to an Ayruvedic practitioner for things such as chronic pain, which are little understood in Western medicine.
The Disability group also throughly enjoyed their day in Qwansi, and had the opportunity to talk with the students and staff at the local school. They really felt a bond with many of the people they met, and are eager to go back at another date to continue their discussions.
Just as we were leaving, it began to pour, so we all bundled into out high tech rain gear. Of course, the storm was over in ten minutes, and we were left sweating under all our layers. I guess these suits weren’t made for Indian weather!!
Best wishes to all!!
- Sara
Wow what a relaxing day!!! Today was our second day off and boy was it needed. Today was spent recovering from those long hikes to the villages and different group members decided on participating in various activities. The boys started off the day by playing cards while the girls did various things such as laundry, playing cards, reading, and journaling. Later on people helped Auntie Maggie in the kitchen with cutting vegetables and fruits. Jonathan says “they taste really good when you cut them yourself.” The rest of the night was spent doing some good old fashioned group bonding. This was the first night where the group really meshed together on the trip and we spent a part of the night on the roof star gazing and telling ghost stories – BOO! Also I just wanted to leave an inspirational mark on the blog from one of Aristotle’s famous quotes “A jug is to pour water, BUT it depends on how many cups you have.” If you don’t get it right away – search harder for the meaning it will come. (I know you love this one Dr. Sachin).
- Nishu
Today we hiked to the town of
- Jonathan
Priya left today and this is what she thinks of this experience as translator to SIHI during core module:
“I am going to miss all this- all the love I have received; I have discovered that English as a spoken language is much more than I have read or was taught in school. I have also discovered that when we talk- our culture, our past, everything around us becomes a part of that communication.. I have also discovered the diveristy of my own country.
I also discovered that you can start late, walk slow and still end up first in any race- Don’t you agree Nishu?
Thanks everyone and best wishes to all of you!
Priya”
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