|
First Impression, August 2009
Ms. Jessica Robinson
The Duras Niwag guest house is by far the most peaceful place I have encountered in India so far. I enquired about volunteering with Sambhali Trust mere days before arriving in India as a young solo traveler and was not expecting to have any kind of structured experience – helping out with English teaching was all I had imagined to be doing. I was just in time, however, to assist with a Service Learning Trip with the Foundation for Sustainable Development, documenting their development project in Setrawa. For the next month I will be spending time between Jodhpur and Setrawa, preparing reports on the proceedings so that Sambhali Trust has a record of the outcomes of the trip. I feel extremely lucky to have the opportunity to be a part of hands-on development work and I anticipate that it will spark a life-long passion.
Having never been to an Indian village, I am looking forward to visiting and learning about culture in rural Rajasthan, including the chance to sleep on a roof and be a part of traditional daily life. The language barrier will also be an interesting challenge as I develop my skills of non-verbal communication and try to absorb as much Hindi as I can.
My time spent with the Sambhali Trust girls has been brief as yet, but I have felt the buzz in the air of excitement tinged with sadness as a group of them graduate and move on from the program. It is instantly noticeable that this place is a real haven to many people; even the furnishings, with their bright, happy colours, intricately embroidered curtains and soft cushions adorning every resting place create a real sense of home to all who pass through.
I can see that the work being carried out here by Sambhali Trust is the practical realization of the dreams of many – to work towards a fairer world where caste discrimination, the oppression of women and illiteracy are things of the past and every individual may have the chance to become whatever they desire, with nothing holding them back. I can foresee that I will be taking so much wisdom and new knowledge home from this beautiful place, and I can only hope that I leave behind an impact that is just as positive.
|
|
 |
