Philanthropy: Paying It Forward (Pre-India)

Currently I am sitting at the office, trying to work, but failing miserably.  All I can think about is an experience that happened before leaving for India.  I've been meaning to write about it, but simply couldn't find the time.  Since I can't get it off my mind I guess I'll write about it now....

A couple days before my flight I went to stay in Cape Girardeau for a couple of days.  I had some free time so I decided to visit a little shop downtown that had recently opened.  It is called Philanthropy Fashion.  This is a very unique and overall wonderful organization!  It is a social enterprise focused on social good, which is exactly what my future in India is all about.  They sell beautiful and fashionable clothing, some from around the world, and donate partial profits to local charities.  The store pledges at least 10% of its total sales to these designated charities.  Cape is the first franchise of the mother store, which opened in June of 2007.  Their platform and belief is that a business built around charitable works and grounded in Christ can make a difference in the world.  I didn't know much about this business when I entered their store, but after leaving I felt in awe of the works being completed by this business and its owner.  

My necklace I wear most days with the Giving
Key, my 'dog person' charm, and my Sinfonian
Sweetheart pendant from Andy

I was fortunate enough to meet the owner during my visit.  I found an awesome pair of sandals called Sseko Sandals and mentioned that Africa was close to my heart because of my time spent in Rwanda last year.  The co-operative making these sandals is very similar to the co-ops I encountered while in Rwanda with Global Youth Connect.  I then heard the owner's story, and she listened to what I'd be doing in India. I was so inspired by her!  And apparently she was inspired by me as well which was an amazing feeling.  Before leaving she gave me a Giving Key inscribed with the word Inspire.  She said I had inspired her, and she just felt like she needed to give this key to me.  The Giving Key is a great organization that works to employ the homeless while putting its profits towards transitional homes and facilities.  The idea is that when you buy a key, or are given one, you must not keep it.  Instead, you should pay it forward during some time in your future.  For example, the owner of Philanthropy felt inspired by my story and what I was doing so she wanted to give me something meaningful to explain and share that amazing feeling.  At some point I will pass that key along to someone who inspires me as well.  The entire idea is based upon paying it forward.    

Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the first candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. 

Buddha truly knew how to turn a phrase!  All kidding aside, this quote is very important to me for many reasons.  I use it now because it touches so greatly upon the idea of paying it forward, sharing our own success and happiness.  It is so easy to do, yet all too often we bottle up that show of love and good tidings for ourselves as if releasing it will cause us to be unhappy!  Tolerance and compassion are the most amazing and heartfelt ways to share the love.  My current situation is quite the measure of this!  I am surrounded by amazing people who all believe very different things.  It is important to always remember that God never once told us to only be nice and compassionate toward people who think and act like ourselves!  We are commanded to love our neighbors around the world, no matter their beliefs or customs, skin color, sexuality, gender, nationality, ethnicity, etc.  

One class of Girls at my school

Before leaving for India I found myself doubting... myself, my capabilities, my life paths, my goals, my everything.  I knew God had something great in store for me, but when faced with difficulties and the unknown it is easy to forget to trust Him and His plan.  I've tried many times to make my own plans; they do not resemble my current situation at all!  God knew what was right for me, even when I didn't.  Here I am in Hyderabad, India:  the majority here are of Hindu faith, I am living in a predominately Muslim neighborhood, and I am working with a completely Muslim school.  In no way am I here as a missionary.  In fact, India has strict laws against various kinds of conversion between faith, etc. and I am not in the business to be breaking laws!  However, I am free to believe as I choose without interference with my work.  I can show God's love through my actions instead of through words.  Most Indians I have encountered through my school associate white people with Christianity.  This may not be the whole of India, but for my situation it is.  They associate my actions with my beliefs.  Reality check?  You bet. 

Trying to keep that blonde covered!

The moment my troubles and worries ceased was when I prayed.  I prayed for strength and guidance.   When I visited Philanthropy I never imagined a little key would help to transform me so much!  That one incident helped set a lot more in motion than that wonderful lady could have imagined.  I had been struggling without realizing it.... I needed to recapture my own faith and beliefs.  I'm definitely still working on it, but I am getting there.  All too often I explain to people that religion is man-made and will always falter, but faith is truly divine.  I can't explain where I'll be after this year, or five years from now, but I know with a little help I'll be happy and will hopefully still be trying to 'pay it forward' in every way I can.  Because of my faith, I know that I can make it through this year and hopefully do some good along the way. 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  - Jeremiah 29:11

Catching Up!

For everyone reading this around the globe aka my family, friends and old co-workers, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for further updates!  Things the past two weeks have been rather hectic and crazy.  This post is going to do a little 'catch-up' on information.

My roommate, Lillie, and I are dressed to impress!

First, following my grand arrival in Southeast Asia I realized I was in for a heck of a lot more than what I had previously bargained.  Everyone has those moments of desperation while starting something new where the only thoughts entertained are things along the lines of 'is it time to go home yet?' etc.  I have quickly realized that I have to learn the language.  Asap.  I knew this, but have put it off in hopes of figuring out just which language is most useful.  Telugu is the foremost language in the city, with English and Hindi.  However, Telugu is not a useful language to me following this fellowship.  It's kind of like how I learned so much Kinyarwanda last year, only to have lost all my skills after leaving Rwanda.  I have entertained the idea of learning Hindi, but have continuously questioned its use to me after this year if I decide not to work exclusively in India.  I would like my language choice to help provide me with a marketable skill so that my big-kid job following grad school will possibly 1. pay more and 2. be more exciting.  After talking to my school owner (more on this in a minute) I realized another popular language among the Muslim community in Hyderabad is Urdu.  This language is also spoken elsewhere, particularly in Pakistan.  Job searching with a not-so-common language fluency that is related to a highly sensitive area for the government could help me out later on!  Urdu is actually a language closely related to Hindi.  Because of this, many people have said Hindi should be the way to go.  I have been trying to find an Urdu/English translation book in the city, but no luck thus far.  Also, finding a tutor has been hard since most people learn Urdu through their family and religious center.  I haven't made up my mind yet, but hopefully after meeting with my school I can clarify my options.  I believe Urdu is widely spoken by teachers and students.

Moving on to my school: Mohammed Memorial Educational Society. I met my school owner the other day, Mr. Mustaq, and am very excited to begin work!  I was supposed to meet with him at the school this past Monday but once again the IDEX schedule changed.  Surprised? Not really.  I was then supposed to go this past Wednesday, but I had a lovely visit planned to the FRRO (Foreign Regional Registration Office) so I could register as a foreign resident.  Thursday was out since Mr. Mustaq was away from the school, and although I am supposed to go tomorrow I'm not sure if that will work either because our IDEX meeting is supposedly extremely important tomorrow.  Either way, Mr. Mustaq gave me the directions by bus for the school so I'm excited to try that out instead of taking those awful auto rickshaws!  We'll see if I ever actually get there.... But during our very brief meeting, Mr. Mustaq and I quickly discussed a few ideas for this year.  I can't wait to bring back the books and Leappad Learning systems for the new library!  Also, he seemed thrilled at the idea of pairing his school with more outside organizations since it would provide services at little-to-no cost for him/the school.  Overall, I know it is going to be a tough year; but I cannot wait to begin working on a legitimate schedule that will allow me the freedom to truly impact Mohammed Memorial.

p.s. It is located on Dairy Farm Road..... I feel like smelly cows will be surrounding the neighborhood.  Goodness I hope not!  

Britney Spears sing-a-long?

I'm trying to think of other exciting things that have occurred the past two weeks.  Like I mentioned, yesterday I went to the FRRO and have officially been deemed worthy of Indian residency!  Seemed a little redundant considering all of the papers submitted had already been turned into the Indian government in my application for a visa.... oh well.  It didn't take long at all!  Other fellows' did, but I guess I was lucky.  Other fun things include meeting all of the other fellows, parts of our training, and exploring the city.  Our group went to a karaoke bar one night which was really fun!  All of us blonde fellows thought it would be hilarious to sing Britney Spears, but unfortunately the DJ never called our turn.  Probably a good thing!  A weird thing here though, every place closes extremely early.  Like 11:30pm.  All of my sorority sisters in Cape Girardeau are probably having small heart attacks just imagining a bar closing at that time!  Another interesting thing is that some of the 'hip' places are Hard Rock Cafe and TGIFriday's.  'Merica!  haha I couldn't believe it!

Old City

Inside the Charminar

I have also been sick.  I don't think it was from food or water.  I was getting a lot of mosquito bites and decided to spray DEET bug spray.... unfortunately the humidity had me sweating like a sinner in church, so the DEET was everywhere (even my face and hands).  I'm betting that I ingested some because I was throwing up for 2-3 days following the day I sprayed myself.  It may have been something else, but my bet is on the bug spray.   I actually missed the Heritage Walk through the old city, the Charminar, and breakfast at the palace. Ugh.  I made it to the meeting spot, but after throwing up that morning's water and banana next to  the bus stop.... I figured it was time to go home.  I paid a bit more with an auto to get home, and then tipped him an extra ten rupees because he stopped halfway through so I could throw up.  So glad to have had a nice/semi-understanding auto driver for once.  

My eye after the swelling began to go down....

&& on top of being sick, one day recently I woke up and my right eye was swollen shut.  We think maybe some kind of bite or allergic reaction?  Good news: it went away after a few rounds of benadryl and eye drops.  Bad news:  I looked hilariously stupid.    

Birthday girl, Mariam!

What have I learned? People here are actually really friendly.  It took me a bit to appreciate this, but I'm starting to understand.  Sometimes the staring really is uncomfortable, but realizing the men do not have x-ray vision helps to ease my mind.  When I (or my silly auto drivers) need directions, asking anyone on the street is a quick and (usually) easy way to get from point A to point B.  Also, it is really fun to have women in saris and in burquas come up to me asking me random questions, usually out of both curiosity and their perpetual need to practice their English.  Another nice gesture?  Random people wanting to have us over for dinner.  We met a lovely mother and daughter from Chile at the vegetable market who are here teaching.  We went to their house a few days later to break the fast (Ramzan is currently happening!  Happy fasting!).  It was also her daughter's birthday, so we ate dinner with their friends from Sudan, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia.  It was a nice night ending with cake and a fun game of Uno.  Yes, I did win once!  

  

Another day I will devote a post to all of the fun places to shop and all the 'cool' things I've bought to make living here easier.  For example, the picture wall I've made above my too cool for school sheet set from Big Bazaar India?  That's making my life easier!  

Maybe I'll also remember some more interesting stories from the past two weeks.... I know there are a lot more!  But to leave you all with a fun little laugh: I saw this sign on the way home from the FRRO.... GENIUS COLLEGE!  They sure have set the bar high for themselves....

Arrival in India

What a trip!

I left Harrisburg for St. Louis Tuesday night after an exhausting day full of packing and tears.  Nothing fit and all of my bags were too heavy. Deciding finally to take three 50 pound bags instead of two, we were on our way.  We arrived late that evening, and it didn't take long for me to fall fast asleep.  The next morning we arrived at the St. Louis International Airport at 5:45am.  It was so hard to say bye to mom and dad.  And the day before saying bye to my grandparents was also incredibly difficult. Everything was starting to really sink in at this point.... it was really happening.  I was not just leaving for a trip, but moving abroad for almost a year.  Andy had parked his car and met me inside after I said goodbye to my amazing parents.  He stayed with me until I went through my final security check.  He came back a few times which made it easier and harder at the same time.  I wasn't questioning my decision, I was just realizing the full gravity of my choice.

After making it through my security check I boarded my first plane bound for Dallas.  Next stop was Dubai, then Hyderabad.  Nothing too exciting, but when we arrived in Hyderabad customs it all changed.  I definitely should have learned the language.  Apparently the piece of paper I had printed out with my contact numbers and my address had fallen out between flights so I didn't have an address for my customs form.  It was a complete mess. The officer actually told me I would have to go home!  Back to the plane!  Of course the language barrier caused the confusion, and my sleep deprivation caused tears to start flowing.  Eventually someone felt bad for me and helped me locate an address.  Pickup was also interesting.  Shruti had emailed new pickup information.... but didn't have access to the internet because of the flights!  Luckily another fellow was there, and we got to our new places quickly and safely.  Arriving upstairs I met my lovely new housemates and met the boys next door.  I think this is going to really work out well!

I'm not going to say that so far everything has been peachy, but I'm adjusting.  Things here are just.... different.  I guess I assumed that nothing could be more 'different' than Rwanda.  I was wrong.  This is like bringing cultural divide to an entirely new level! I fell in love with Rwanda the moment I saw the hills.  India, though, is going to take a bit of patience.  Perhaps a love/hate relationship?  I definitely am warming up to Hyderabad, and I know that everything is beginning to fall into place.  I've been here about a week and it already feels like a couple of months.  Things have been very fast paced, yet inexhaustibly slow as well.  Weird, huh?

I'll try to continue with some of the excitement of the past week in my next post, but to finish this one I'll post some pictures.  I can't get video to post yet though.... I need to figure all of this tech stuff out! But here is just a little taste of India.  Remember, it is monsoon season here....

last picture in the USA!

View from my window

First rickshaw in India

Wearing some fancy new clothes.

floods

floods

India & Senioritis

This post is dedicated to lots of info on India, and how I have an extreme case of senioritis. 

I thought you only get this senioritis stuff in high school?!  Ugh.  Good news?  The countdown is getting smaller until graduation! Bad news?  I'm currently sick with the flu and missing classes.  I guess that means I'll have even more work since I'll be playing catch-up. 

Hyderabad at Night

Moving on to India and my future home city: Hyderabad.  First of all, Hyderabad is also known as the City of Pearls.  As a Tri Delt, this must be fate.  The pearl is the jewel of Tri Delta.  It is the one jewel that grows, developing from a tiny grain of sand into a thing of great value and beauty.  Hyderabad was once a global center for the pearl and diamond trade, and it is currently deemed the "Best Heritage City of India."  Hyderabad is the capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh, a political hotspot in India.  The Telangana movement is a widespread political demand of creating a new state from the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, separate from India as a whole.  Hyderabad is still the center of some strikes and minor agitations.  The city is highly diverse with a variety of beliefs and cultures making up the citizenry.  The city is comprised mostly by Hindus, but over 40% of the city is Muslim.  The city also contains extremely small groups of Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, etc.  The majority of citizens speak Telugu or Urdu, but a variety of languages are spoken including English.  Hyderabad is an up-and-coming tech city, but its past beauty is evident in the old city areas.  Hyderabad is located in an area where the northern and southern portions of India meet.  Climate in this portion of India is warm year-round, but hits its peak temperatures in March, April, and May.  Monsoon season will be interesting while I am there; it will have already started once I arrive.  Also?  Tollywood (2nd largest film industry in India after Bollywood) is present in Hyderabad!  My goal is to maybe land a part as an extra for one of these films.... I'll keep you updated on how that works out!                  

Click here to see a video the IDEX crew found about India.  It isn't specifically Hyderabad, but it's got a lot of interesting shots of India.  I hope there aren't snakes like the ones in the video.... I know there are, but I'm refusing to believe it at this point.  I hate snakes...   

It's Official! I'm Going to India!

The countdown has begun.

T-25 Days until Graduation from Southeast Missouri State U.
T-55 Days until I take the dreaded LSAT.
T-85 Days until I leave for Hyderabad, India.

It's Official: I'm going to India for ten months!  I'm the first to admit that I never dreamed this is the path that my life would take.  What happened to the relatively 'safe' 9-5 lawyer gig I had previously planned to pursue?  No idea.  Seriously though, my dream of studying law is still present, it's just been semi-put on hold for a year.  I planned to take a gap year after graduation and before law school, but I had no idea I would be spending my year like this!  However, I like this path that my life has taken, and I doubt I would have been happy sitting behind a desk anytime in the near future.

Here's the deal: I love the idea of being a lawyer.  Through my college internship I've had the opportunity to work for an amazing group of lawyers who truly exemplify all of the 'great' things about being an attorney.  But with this job I also see frustrations;  I've realized that the majority of all cases are plead out and many are sentenced below the recommended guidelines.  It shocked me.  It shouldn't have, because I've learned these things in my classes.  I also understand that 'Law & Order' isn't a correct interpretation of our justice system.  But, I guess I just expected a little more .... justice.  I think I could eventually settle into this atmosphere, but not yet.  After all, these professionals I work with do an amazing amount of work and truly serve the public.  I just do not yet have the patience or perseverance that I see in my bosses.  I feel like I would too quickly lose faith in both humanity and our justice system.  My altruistic 'save the world' attitude keeps pushing me to work in areas where I know I can make a difference.  

So.... India, huh?  Yeah everyone, India.  Last summer I was lucky enough to embark on a month-long experience to Rwanda, Africa, and when I announced this news I got the 'uh...what?' look too.  Seriously.  If you aren't my mom, dad, Andy, or grandparents then you should probably relax a bit.  I'll be fine!  Rwanda stole my heart, and it solidified my devotion to work abroad in areas of sustainable development, which works with vulnerable groups (for example: women and children).  If you drag your attention to the map on the right..... well that's India!  That darker green section near the southern portion is Andrha Pradesh, and Hyderabad is located in this area.  The city is fairly conservative and comprised of a lot of varying cultural and political ideas and influences.  Now what in the world will I be doing in India for ten months?  Well, I'll answer that in much greater detail in my next post.  No worries.  But for now, let me quickly sum it up: 

I am accepting an IDEX Fellowship in the field of Social Enterprise.  I applied thinking it was a long-shot and that I didn't stand a chance.  Goodness I love it when I'm wrong!  Apparently out of 1,200 applicants I made the cut.  I'll be joining about 60 other recent graduates in Hyderabad, India.  Each of us will be working with an affordable private school located in a very poor area of the city, catering solely to the poorest of children in the slums.  NO, I will not be teaching English.  That is not sustainable.  The whole point of the fellowship is to work with these schools and their administrator's to 1. identify what needs improvement 2. create a plan with sustainable features and 3. then implement said plan.  The goal is to create solutions that can be continued by the citizens once foreigners like myself have left the country.  We are working with schools and education because we all know that education means societal improvement aka the path to eradication of poverty!  

That's it in a nutshell.  Yeah, I know there are tons of questions left unanswered, but like I said I'll cover a lot of that in my next post.  I think the reason people give me 'the look' is because they have questions/they are worried about me.  Again, no worries!  I'll be just fine.  Promise!  I think a lot of other people wonder about the time frame.  They're right, ten months is a pretty long time.  In the grad scheme of things, though, it isn't too bad.  Without the love and support of my family and friends it would be a lot harder.  Don't get me wrong, they hate that I'm going.  But.... they understand.  Usually.

Mom 1. Guilting me to come home more 2. Trying to remain 'neutral' 3. Only cries when holidays are mentioned (duh I can't come home for Thanksgiving mom) 4. Wants to console herself by 'borrowing' all of the clothes I can't take with me and using all of my craft stuff

Dad 1. Thinks his baby girl cannot take care of herself aka thinks I'm still 7 years old 2. Constantly asks if planning this trip is interfering with my LSAT study 3. Curious if any law schools will accept me.... I mean I hope so?! 4. Listens but likes to change the subject a lot so he doesn't have to think about it and be super sad that I'm leaving

Grandparents 1. In denial.... but much more aware than last summer when I announced my Rwanda trip 2. Gram repeats everything dad says about the LSAT.  He has her trained! haha       

So as you can see, the countdown has begun.  Weird that everything is like 30 days apart?  Oh well, easier for me to keep up with my countdown that way!  Cannot wait to graduate since that comes first.  BS in Interdisciplinary Studies with emphasis in the areas of Political Science, Speech Communication, & Criminal Justice.  I currently have a terrible dose of senioritis.  The LSAT follows, and it is going to be horrible.  I've been studying for so long that if I don't do well then there must be something wrong with the test.  After graduation I have a full month of no work and no school; purely LSAT study time.  Greeeeeat.  Anyone who has ever had a logic class or opened a prep book can relate to my pain here.  Both of my jobs are tied to being a student so I lose them as of May 12 which is fine since studying for the LSAT is more important at that point.  After the LSAT, I have a full month of nothing to do but enjoy my time with family and friends (& pack).  That month will seriously be Heaven.         

Click here to see an interesting video the IDEX crew found about my future 'home' city: Hyderabad.  The guy rapping talks a lot about biryani.... a local food that is pretty famous.  Can't wait to try it!  It was shot in Hyderabad so you'll get some great shots of the city.  Sorry for how cheesy it is!