Today we returned to our regular routine of going to the school in the morning at 9.30 followed by afternoon activities during at 3.00. A contrast to the leaisurely weekend trip of visiting the tea factory, staying overnight at a lovely hotel, having a splash in the pool, going on a elephant safari and seeing a Buddist temple.
This morning I was amongst the group who went to Athidiya. We met Sister at the Centre who gave us a summary of how the families in the area came to live there, an introduction to the homes and families we would later see. Whilst she was explaining it dawned on me that Sister is a true inspiration - a woman of God who's ultimate calling is to help those who are unable to help themselves.
When Sister began her tour of the housing, I was shocked. Big familes of around six people lived in a house a size smaller than most rooms in my house in England, without water, electricity and adequate storage and bed space but appeared content, happy and were ever so welcoming. I was nearly moved to tears in one family's home, as I remembered a time a couple years ago when I complained about having to share a room with my younger sister because I was a 'teenager' and 'needed' my own space. The experience highlighted for me the importance of not getting too caught up in material 'stuff' of the world and adopting the attitude of 'now, now, now, I want, I want' but to appreciate the precious intangible things we often take for granted: love, friendship and family. I also thought about the differences in poverty and the great inequalities between people in the world. For what is poor and considered below the poverty line in the Western world is actually being rich in less developed countries. Despite in my eyes, extreme cases of poverty in the area, I didn't feel pity; it's hard to pity someone who doesn't pity themself. It was more a case of inspiration. Being inspired not only by Sister due to the amazing work she does alongside Asha Trust to help relieve poverty locally, but inspired by the lives of the families. Having glimpse poverty today, I don't feel I can return to the UK and not do anything. I feel having seeing this, I need to be a part changing it for the better.
Shani
The Eston Park group have been blogging on their school site - do have a browse
http://www.estonpark.co.uk/blog.asp
1 comment:
Dear Shani,
This is very moving. Thank you very much for sharing this. It's both humbling and inspiring how people construct meaningful and conteneted lives in circumstance where they have very little materially that most of us in rich countries would find intolerable. Keep your eyes and heart open to the laughter,joys and pains of the children of God whereever you encounter them. Keep faith with them and their humanity; for in keeping faith with them you keep faith with Christ in them.
Every blessing!
RDM
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