- People We Love
- India
Every day, we celebrate women around the world. From girls in poverty who fight to overcome barriers to women who empower them through sponsorship, there are so many stories of strength to celebrate.
Anika’s experience with Children International is one of many we celebrate today. Here’s her story.
Last year, while I was in Delhi, India, I visited CI's Delhi-Bawana community center. It was a truly eye-opening experience I will always remember. Seeing the smiles on the kids' faces and witnessing the amount of work CI does was absolutely amazing. To think that the kids at the Bawana center started out with literally nothing and are now getting an education and medical care is just surreal and touching to see.
The kids at the Bawana center were so ecstatic and happy to be there that I couldn't stop smiling myself — their happiness was infectious! In addition to their positivity, the children were so sweet and thoughtful to give me little handmade crafts that I will cherish forever.
As I toured the center, I witnessed a few kids by the watercooler who were beyond thrilled to be drinking the filtered water. We were told that when these kids come to the center, they make sure to use the bathroom to wash their hands, faces, arms, etc., because getting access to a clean bathroom with running water is a big deal to them. Otherwise, they must use public restrooms — which cost money — but even those are unsanitary.
To think that these kids were so excited to receive something as basic as clean water reminded me to be thankful for the little things in life, because not everyone is born privileged. These children started out in complete poverty, and now have so many opportunities and bright futures ahead of them, all thanks to CI.
Visiting the area outside of the Bawana center was another enlightening experience. Many homes around the center were worn down, old buildings that would seem substandard. However, as I found out later, these homes are actually the “better ones” and its residents enjoy better living conditions than most other areas of Bawana.
The kids who get help at the center live in even worse conditions. Simply knowing that so many people are living in poverty in India was a sobering part of my journey. The living conditions that would seem deficient to most people are, unfortunately, luxurious to the residents of Bawana.
All in all, this experience was completely astounding and made me realize that poverty isn't an issue to be taken lightly — it's a huge problem that affects millions of people every day not only in Bawana, but all around the world, as well. Although the world is far from being rid of poverty, CI continues to completely change kids' lives for the better and is making a lasting impact on the world.
While at the center, I saw various programs in action and met several program coordinators. I saw undernourished kids being fed fruit and eggs, so they will have the chance to become physically strong and healthy. I saw a little boy visiting the dentist to get his teeth checked. I saw older kids taking a career development class. I admired the kids' artwork hanging in the library. I also saw a class for adult volunteers. Everything seemed to flow smoothly. It's clear that CI tries to accommodate as many underprivileged kids as possible.
One of the highlights of my trip was being able to talk to some of the kids there. One thing I found amazing is the intelligence and spirit these kids have, despite facing many problems in their young lives.
No matter how bad their situations, these kids still seemed optimistic about the future. One said she wants to become a doctor when she grows up, while another wants to be a teacher.
Looking at these kids made me realize they could actually be role models for everyone — living in such poverty, possible physical/mental abuse, domestic violence and so much more — yet they still manage to face life with a smile on their face. They are indeed courageous! So, the next time you feel upset about not buying that cute shirt or that yummy cup of ice cream, think about how lucky you are to simply have a roof over your head — not everyone is that privileged!
Visiting Bawana also helped me understand how CI functions, what the organization focuses on, and how the various programs at the center help the children. The Bawana center is currently helping about 5,400 underprivileged kids. The center relies on a small staff and more than 250 volunteers.
Kids are not just grouped together and provided services. Instead, CI evaluates the unique needs of each child and provides services each child requires at a particular time. As these needs change, kids are enrolled into different programs.
The organization still faces some challenges. When I asked if the staff or center faced any problems, I was told that getting the kids' uneducated parents to understand how the center can help their children can be difficult. These parents do not always understand why their kids should “waste time” at the center rather than work somewhere to earn money or stay at home and do housework.
Even when the kids are allowed to come to the center, there may be gaps in their visits, as their families sometimes move away for a few months or even a year. Bad road conditions are another challenge that can sometimes lead to delays in receiving supplies or for people entering or leaving the center.
Sadly, there are also many incidents of domestic violence that the kids experience in their families. CI staff reports these incidents and works with local authorities to ensure that cases of domestic violence decrease and kids remain safe.
Despite these challenges, I could tell the staff and volunteers are really committed to helping these impoverished kids and do not let such challenges deter them.
Since visiting, I feel more encouraged than ever to help as much as I can by advocating for CI. I will remember this trip and the valuable information and life lessons I learned from it. I can't wait to visit the center again when I go back to India!
Comments
carolynhat
May 26, 2016
Great story, thanks for sharing!
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