Charan Episode 2: Holy Tarp

Commutes to Charan (Indian refugee camp) can sink the heart. Black tarp, riddled with holes, held up by wobbly wooden posts. Dirt floors, trickling rivers of rancid gray sewage, dust everywhere that clings to the inside of noses. Children rife with epidermal woes. Tension between refugees from different parts of India. Still, it didn't take long to feel at home among charming children and wacky unpredictability of village life (warning: it's easy to appreciate the "charm" in slums when not forced to live in one).

This week, en route to teach, a passerby pointed to me and said, "Angrezi!" (English person!) Before I had time to respond, one of the Charan locals shouted, "No, not Angrezi. Hindi, Hindi!" What an honor! Felt such comfort and warmth to be welcomed as a member of the community. Indeed, walking to and from class is a slow but lovely journey; so many chats, handshakes, smiles and small children to carry along the way.

Important, however, not to feel too smug in my role as a helper. Better, I think, to avoid scenarios where Westerners ride in on a white horse to save the children; offering freebies and instant solutions can create dependency on foreigners and a feeling of helplessness. The goal of Tong Len is not to provide handouts; rather, their aim is to empower the people to solve their own problems. For example, a small business loan to help local women start a clothing shop is far better than handing out money. Hiring local teachers to work with Western volunteers provides children with role models from their own community. Shankar, for example, grew up in Charan. Now he works tirelessly to teach the children Hindi, translate for Western teachers and doctors, deliver medicine to local families, patch holes in the classroom roof (tarp). He has enough salary to move out of the slum, but he chooses to remain.
On that note, if anyone is looking to support a worthwhile non-profit, I give Tong-Len five stars for sustainability, positive impact, and responsible use of funding. To learn more, check out http://www.tong-len.org/