Beggar Child

In India, there are children who are put out in the street to beg by cruel individuals, but they do not reap any of the profit.  These helpless children go days without food or shelter and beg for hours to then have to give their earnings to an avarice “pimp.”  Due to this phenomenon, I do not give them money, but I always get a horrible pain in my stomach because I wish I could help them.

On my walk home, an adorable little girl tugged on my shirt.  She had no shoes, had torn clothes and looked like she had not eaten for days.  I looked into her eyes and was filled with sorrow. Fortunately, I had bought some bread to accompany my peanut-butter.  She points to the bag and I smile.  For the first time I could do something to help.  I opened the bag and gave her a slice.  Seconds later, I was surrounded by 5 other children and gave them each a slice.

I got on my rickshaw to go home and began to cry.  They were good tears because I felt great helping them and not ignoring them like others do.  But I also felt consumed with sorrow because I wish I could do more.  Consequently, I promise to take 15 minutes out of my day, every day, to feed and interact with a beggar child.  I want to buy a notebook or coloring book to give them because everyone needs HOPE and a kind soul that will treat them humanely.

“You have such a warm friendly face and smile”

Students from the Sociology Club held a poster exhibit with the theme of Gandhi.  The thesis of their presentation is that Gandhi’s philosophy is still relevant today.  The major themes the posters were:

1. How the education system is too expensive for everyone to attend them.  Also, that education needs to shift as learning does not only take place in a classroom.
2. The health system is becoming less personal and western; therefore there is over prescription of medicine, which simply addresses the symptoms and does not provide a cure.  Also, the use of medicinal herbs is decreasing, because individuals are using pills to fix their problems without thinking about the side-effects.  Traditional medicine focuses on finding inner peace and balance, which I think is phenomenal because I truly believe in “mind over matter.”  Nevertheless, I think western medicine is great but it has its drawbacks as well.
3. Recycling and repurposing objects to build infrastructure.
4. The need for organic farming for the betterment of health and the environment.
5. CORPORATE GREED – which is sort of what I am writing my thesis on – we had a great discussion about OCCUPY!!!!

They also showed us a 5 minute movie clip, which raised awareness about how corporate greed leads to the exploitation of individuals and to the degradation of natural resources. 

It was amazing.  I enjoyed having a though provoking conversation with Indian students.  It was phenomenal to hear their perspectives.  They were also very sweet.  I got all their numbers and look forward to hanging out with them soon when I am not swamped with school work. 

Also, one of the girls, came up to me after the presentation and told me “You have such a warm friendly face and smile.”  This made my day.  I LOVE INDIA!!!!!!