Gone Like the Swallows of Capistrano

Swaying with the top of my train car in the upper-level bunk bed, I'm finally moving down the tracks on my way to Delhi. Now that my fate is in the hands of the Indian railway system, I'll have a real chance to reflect on the last three months. Have a seat while I tell you about how a bunch of little kids changed my life. 

I intentionally approached this trip with no expectations. The last thing I wanted was a few pre-conceived opinions formed on the other side of the world, so the less I knew what I was getting myself into, the better. The only sure thing was that I would be working with born-HIV positive orphans, and that I have never done anything like this before.

My first visit to Manavya's orphanage was the morning after landing in India. Not entirely sure where I was, what language people were speaking, or how I come in to make a difference, more than a few questions came to mind. These concerns flew out the window when right as we walked up, the kids immediately grabbed both hands and pulled me into the classroom, showing off their drawings and the tunes they were learning on the keyboard. Within minutes they were calling me David dada (big brother David), a name that stuck with me until I left. If nothing else, I thought to myself, at least I will give them as much love and attention as I possibly can. Turns out that they need those things more than they need computer classes, internet, or any other tangible I could provide. These kids spend their entire childhood secluded from society - they could benefit from some interaction with a person from another part of the world. So after such a warm welcome, apprehension turned into excitement and I couldn't wait for another chance to be around them.

In the beginning, I thought it would be a daily emotional challenge being around children with such bleak hopes for the future. However, I quickly realized this would not be the case. First of all, they take ART (Anti-Retroviral Treatment) medicine every day, so they don't look or act differently from other children. I also got the feeling that either there was no time for sadness or they simply don't know to be sad, because each child was nothing but smiles and energy. Most days they would come outside to greet me as I rolled up on my scooter, then pull me inside so I could read to them. Sometimes from their English workbook, but I usually just read the newspaper out loud. More than anything, they wanted to hear some English. And when they weren't studying or taking care of daily chores and responsibilities, they were playing cricket, running around in the garden, or playing boardgames. Constantly moving and stimulating themselves, these kids were an impressively active bunch.

Three months sped by. Everyone stayed healthy and there were no complete disasters, so I will claim a successful experience. I am certain that I will take away more from this whole thing than all of the kids combined. But if one piece of knowledge sunk into one of their small Indian heads while I was there, then this was a huge triumph. I consider myself an optimistic person, but these folks demonstrated the power of a positive attitude. This has helped me realize that any problems I think I have... are not real problems. They wrote the book on how to play the cards that you are dealt, and I am very lucky to know them.

I got more satisfaction out of my first week here than I did a paying job for an entire year. But I will get another paying job, mom and dad. I promise. 

A few scenes from my last days at Manavya and my going away/birthday party:

Mustache pic with two of the best drivers out there

Dramatic shot with the newest addition of the Manavya family

This is Vaishali. She manages a mental disability with a great sense of humor, and she will destroy you with her thousand watt smile

Thak You Manavya. Close enough.

 Per tradition, everybody feeds you cake on your birthday then smears it on your face

Let's get these cake shots over with

Me with the movers and shakers of Manavya - Ujwala, Maya, and Sushma

My coworkers and good friends Vrushali and Ashwini

Whatchu lookin' at?? Go 'head, get on outta heah.


Me and my buddy Harshad at the top of a very rickety structure. Great view though. Glad we made it down from that thing Harshad

Archana and her kids

The lunch crew




Group shot with as many people as I could gather

Silly; wise

Thanks for having a look at this stuff with me. At the moment I am continuing my trip up the Indian subcontinent - I'll be sure to show you a few pictures along the way. Happy Mother's Day.