India with Richard – Guest Blog.
A Kerala sunset.
While visiting Rick in Gujarat, I was exposed to what I can only describe as “social atrocity.” The way that millions of people live was quite frankly shocking. Now my family is from Kerala and that is where I spent the first 10 days of my trip to India. I was naive in thinking that India cannot be as bad as what I have read in newspapers or seen on TV. Kerala proved to be an anomaly with its blessed irrigation, tropical climate, and educational standards. When I arrived in Gujarat, it was completely different. I have never seen such a disparity between the middle-class (not upper-class) and the poverty-stricken.
Rick’s NGO, SAATH, is doing incredible things for the poor people in Gujarat. I witnessed such things as vocational training programs, pre-school education, attempts at introducing healthcare, etc.
In Ahmedabad.
One of the major things I was surprised about was the segregation of slums among religions. All Islamic slums lived together, Hindu lived together, etc. Stop and think about that for a moment. You live in a world that doesn’t care for you, controlled by a government who says one thing and does another, and throughout it all, these people have the audacity to keep religious biases. Is there something wrong with that? Perhaps. But then the question becomes, why is this the case? Well to me, the answer lies in generational hand downs. Because this is a recurring life-cycle where no one is around the educate these children about the simple truths of right and wrong, religious warfare continues, even in the deepest slums of India.
I commend Rick for giving his time and efforts and taking what he has learned in a business environement and attempting to implement it in the harsh realities of the slums. I caution everyone who goes to see these places that it is not a tourist attraction. Yet it is a rude awakening that though “All men are created equally”, it is not the case that all men are treated equally. For all those volunteers and not-for-profit workers looking to change the world with their work, it is impossible. However, everyone should do their part.
SAATH's Microfinance Institute.
Overall, my trip was amazing. I saw things that I quite frankly may never see again (if I choose not to). I have been humbled by this experience and will never forget it. Rick’s hospitality was top-rated and I am lucky to have such a good friend. My religion teaches me to pray for those who cannot help themselves. I think after this trip, I will pray a bit harder.
-Shobin
finding rickshaw. 