When asked what we were coming to India to do I would explain that we would be assisting in the clinics and providing health teaching to the impoverished. And the question begged to be asked why we had to come...doesn't India have nurses to do this? After our first week here I have a much better understanding of the significance of our visit. Most of the people of India are Hindu - people that practice the caste system. The government insists on paper that the caste system is illegal however in reality it is still very much practiced. The Hindi people believe in reincarnation - you are born into a particular caste as reward or punishment for deeds in your past life. Therefore you cannot move up or down the various castes because you were placed there for a reason...this is known as karma. The four castes are symbolized as being of the head, chest area, thigh or feet... then the lowest of low, not even part of the body (the Dalit people). Castes are also tied to occupations and people can tell from your last name which caste you are in. The people of the "head" area are the nobility or very wealthy individuals - priests or people holding high position. The people of the chest are the "warriors" or soldiers, police etc. Those of the thigh are businessmen. Those of the feet are servants who work in lowly service jobs such as cleaning toilets, working as servers/ hotel staff etc. Then there are the Dalit people who are not really even seen as people (they are not of the body) - it is culturally acceptable to harm and take advantage of these people. People of the other castes can come to the Dalit and steal, rape their women, harm them, sometimes with no consequences. Women from this caste are selected to be the temple prostitutes. They must not say no - they clean the temple and are there for men of other castes who wish to have them.
The Dalit people (as well as society) see themselves as worthless and there is acceptance because it is believed that they were placed into this caste as punishment for past lives. The challenge in changing the status quo is that the Dalit people see themselves as worthless. People will not touch them. This is where OM India comes in - they have slowly entered Dalit slums or villages and provided schooling in English as well as mobile clinics, free medicines and health workers that make regular visits to provide health teaching and screening. The schools provide English and are Christian based however it is not required that you be a Christian to attend. In fact most are not. It is well known that to have any hope of a good job Indians must learn English however the Dalit people cannot afford to send their children to an English school.
Our nursing students are completing an International Community Health practicum. They give presentations to children and adults in the villages and slums to reinforce the health worker's teaching - but we also send a message just by taking the time to come to their communities. White people are highly regarded by the Dalit and we go there showing love and caring and they see that we value them as people. We demonstrate we believe in their worth - we touch them and interact with their children. Indian Christians are assisting the Dalit people - but not with an agenda that they need to be Christian to attend clinics and schools. However, some Dalit do come to Christ because they begin asking questions about why Christians do what they do which sometimes leads to talks and ultimately a desire to know God.
Yesterday we went to a Dalit village and today we went to a slum. On arrival yesterday the villagers gathered around our vehicles and seemed very wary at first. The first girl that I made eye contact with was 12 years old and she gasped and drew back immediately...I felt like I was a hideous monster!! We were told that most of those children had never seen a white person before. They quickly warmed up to the group and watched the health presentations with interest.
The students then taught the children how to play "duck duck goose", which they absolutely loved! The adults began to gather around and smile and laugh while watching the game. It really broke the ice - in fact the girl who seemed scared of me then followed me around the rest of the day and gave me a hug when I left. Watching people come to see the doctor or to get medicine or to watch the children play really makes you realize how people all over the world in all walks of life experience the same feelings. We may speak different languages...but a smile is universal :)
The Dalit people (as well as society) see themselves as worthless and there is acceptance because it is believed that they were placed into this caste as punishment for past lives. The challenge in changing the status quo is that the Dalit people see themselves as worthless. People will not touch them. This is where OM India comes in - they have slowly entered Dalit slums or villages and provided schooling in English as well as mobile clinics, free medicines and health workers that make regular visits to provide health teaching and screening. The schools provide English and are Christian based however it is not required that you be a Christian to attend. In fact most are not. It is well known that to have any hope of a good job Indians must learn English however the Dalit people cannot afford to send their children to an English school.
Our nursing students are completing an International Community Health practicum. They give presentations to children and adults in the villages and slums to reinforce the health worker's teaching - but we also send a message just by taking the time to come to their communities. White people are highly regarded by the Dalit and we go there showing love and caring and they see that we value them as people. We demonstrate we believe in their worth - we touch them and interact with their children. Indian Christians are assisting the Dalit people - but not with an agenda that they need to be Christian to attend clinics and schools. However, some Dalit do come to Christ because they begin asking questions about why Christians do what they do which sometimes leads to talks and ultimately a desire to know God.
Yesterday we went to a Dalit village and today we went to a slum. On arrival yesterday the villagers gathered around our vehicles and seemed very wary at first. The first girl that I made eye contact with was 12 years old and she gasped and drew back immediately...I felt like I was a hideous monster!! We were told that most of those children had never seen a white person before. They quickly warmed up to the group and watched the health presentations with interest.
The students then taught the children how to play "duck duck goose", which they absolutely loved! The adults began to gather around and smile and laugh while watching the game. It really broke the ice - in fact the girl who seemed scared of me then followed me around the rest of the day and gave me a hug when I left. Watching people come to see the doctor or to get medicine or to watch the children play really makes you realize how people all over the world in all walks of life experience the same feelings. We may speak different languages...but a smile is universal :)
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