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First Impression, October 2009
Ms. Caitriona Keown
Our original plan was to travel around India for the remainder of our time, about five weeks but after spending two months in India living in an ashram for three weeks, studying ayurveda massage for three and traveling around and staying with friends for two weeks, we decided to change our plan. My friend Marika and I sat down to set our intentions for what we wanted to experience. We both agreed that working with women and children would be ideal in a rural setting where we could be apart of a community in an environment that was empowering, supportive, creative and traditional. With these elements in mind we found Sambhali Trust on the internet and agreed that it was perfect. Within two days we packed everything, booked a train and arrived in Jodhpur to meet Govind and join the Setwrawa project.
After a short orientation in Jodhpur and introduction to the Sambhali organization, we headed off to Setrawa. From the moment we arrived at the guest house and met Govind, it felt as though we were meant to be here, a small grassroots organization with a sincere interest in helping to empower women and girls was definitely something we wanted be apart of, even if it meant committing short term.
We were greeted by Usha and a few of the girls from Sambhali school in town after an adventurous bus ride with big smiles and a warm welcome, everyone curious to see who were the new volunteers. It was evident that the previous volunteers left a good impression because everyone was very excited to greet and chat with us.
The first two days were spent introducing ourselves to the girls and women and getting to know them. It is not obvious that these girls are coming from difficult situations as they do not show it on their faces when they enter the doors of Sambhali, they bring their bright and eager spirits every day. I feel very blessed to connect with these energetic, sincere and joyful girls and women for the next five weeks and see that they will be empowering me a lot more than I will them.
There are no expectations for the next five weeks, I will take it day by day with the girls and let it unfold as it will. I am very thankful to the girls and women for opening up themselves, school and village to us.
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