In the last week of my India trip Meenakshi Ji and Vinay Ji
asked me to come speak at Saduh Vishwani School for girls. I gave a speech on
the importance of hard work and determination, as well as giving back to your
community. I suppose they were inspired by my determination in school and that
I work two jobs. This was a good experience to try to lift up these girls and
inspire them to be independent and work hard. The kids who get the chance to go
to school are hopelessly spoiled by their parents and the caste system. Maids
are hired for so cheap that anyone who is not in poverty can hire one if not
two to do any tiny task. That’s how big the rich/poor gap is here. There is a
maid who comes to my apartments here who cleans, cooks, and does laundry. I
just set dishes in the sink and the maid washes them... These young girls have
gotten to the point that they don’t even turn the water off after washing their
hands and expect someone to do it after them. So I was trying to explain the
value of independence, not sure whether it will make a difference.
This Saturday before I left India, I taught a dance workshop
that included Hula dancing and Hip Hop.
About 30 girls came to school on a Saturday and on a holiday (Lord
Krishna’s Birthday) to take dance! It was fun, we danced for two hours. Many
girls were so excited and thanked Meenakshi for bringing me. Two mothers also
came to meet me and thank me. They had never seen anything like this kind of
dance. I’m glad I got to do what I love
and inspire people at the same time. J
Meenakshi Ji and Vinay Ji were so kind and took me out to lunch for my last day
in town and gave me gifts from the Banjara Tribe.
They were a handmade head scarf and skirt. I am so lucky to have meet such
amazing influential people hear, and I’m hoping to come back and continue my
work with them and these beautiful Nomadic Cultures.
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