Diary from India

Here I am, in India in Pune, Why am I here ? I along with thirty plus others. ; nurses, teachers, five church Representatives, (three of whom were born in India) and a hand full of retired people are here on a project. We are also a, multi faith, multicultural, multiracial group, comprising of Christians and Muslim, Indian, African, West Indian roots though we are all British residents. We are lead by a community health leader from London by the name of Elsie Staples and are involved in a project to assist the poorer communities in this vibrant city. We have to date engaged in a program of health screening at a blossoming school in Kalewadi. The school is called Rodgers English school. It was started some 7yrs ago by a Burmese gentleman, who taught locally at Spicier Memorial College, an Institution run by the Seventh day Adventist church. This Gentleman has since died but the school is now run by a former student of his, a visionary young man by the name of Mr Samuel Shankar and the appointed headmistress Mrs Mary Patel. These two people and a group of devoted local teachers work for half the salary which they might otherwise command in more established schools but what they have to offer is an education for children from middle class to poor backgrounds who might otherwise be unable to afford any formal learning. It is called an English school because lessons are taught in English, a valued medium of communication. Not only do these children receive an education but Mr Shankar and Mrs Patel ensures that even the poorest are given uniforms and at least one meal a day: and they thrive on the care and attention!

But this is harsh society , as harsh as anywhere in the first, second or third world ( what an absurd term!) and what I have come to learn of India to date is that this is a country of contrast and paradox. Great wealth alone side great poverty: a country which has produced numerous doctors, lawyers and scientist but where the canny boy who works in the shop across from the hotel will shy away from spelling his name because he cannot ; although I am told he yet hopes to captain India at cricket in the future. Where numerous technological innovations and institutions are springing up and yet where there is a power cut almost every day. Where TATA Motors is spawning an Industrial empire but the road system here is so chaotic that it is surprising that there are not more deaths on the roads daily. Where grand palatial buildings house the rich, while the poor make the pavement or a slum their home. Where grand hospitals offer the rich of Europe a fast track to health care while the slum dwellers walk in blindness because of undiagnosed disease and lack of treatment. Where rickshaws share the roads with Mercedes and where women cover their faces but ride around fearlessly and independently on their motor bikes. Aldous Huxley might well have called this his 'Brave New World'.

On our first day of screening we came across Priyanka Joseph, a confident, bright , pretty young woman of 17yrs. Priyanka works at the school as an assistant teacher but her dream is to become a doctor and help the poor of her city. In the past it was still a distant dream for she does not have the funds. Her parents are manual workers who manage only a subsistence level of income but Priyanka has a dream and she will not take no for an answer. She has asked God to help her achieve her dream, she believes he will and she believes we are the means by which he will do this. Priyanka has caught us up in her vision, as has the school. Under Elsie's leadership, we meet, talking, praying and planning as to how to help these people; people we have come to know, love and respect; how we can help them to help themselves.

At this time Diwali is being celebrated in India and so in Pune. Fire works light up every dark corner and explode everywhere . They are thrown uninhibited into the streets, children hopping excitedly among the sparks, unconsciously risking life and limb. Candles are lit all over the city; to God, Gods; Hindu, Muslim and even Christians understand the symbolism of the festival of light. A festival symbolizing the triumph of good , the banishment of evil. Tomorrow we go to the slums to offer health screening, examination by a doctor, some form of treatment and a meal to some of the cities poorest...... I'll keep you up dated.

Denepher Smith (18th 0October 2009)