first week

We're in the middle of our first week here. We've just been getting adjusted to living here and are figuring out lots of little logistical things like washing our own clothes, finding the nearest grocery stores, etc. John and I have been working a lot in the office these past few days. John is working on a power point presentation about the Institute. I'm editing the director's (Janak didi's) first draft of a book she's writing about research she's done on the Institute's programs. I've already learned a ton about their model of socio-economic development. Whenever I get a chance, I spend some time with the girls and practice my Hindi. They have assured me that by the time I leave, I will have learned to speak Hindi quite well. They ask me a lot of questions about my life and what things are like in America. The girls are in class a good part of the day, and what's amazing is that even in their free time they are practicing their Hindi or something else. They seem to savor the learning that they are getting here. After reading the director's thesis on the Institute's programs, I have a deeper appreciation for where these girls have come from and the amazing changes that are being made in their communities through their training. They are basically trained in many different areas (Hindi, cutting and tailoring, health and hygeine, batik, and other skills) with the goal being that they will pass these skills on to others and use them to uplift themselves along with their families and communities. And they have been very successful in doing so. Their hearts are so pure, and they are a true joy to be around. They call me "didi" (big sister), and they call John "jijaji" (brother-in-law). The other night John was playing his guitar on the steps outside our room, and a bunch of girls gathered around to listen. They had never seen a guitar before. Here's a pic: