Here I am, sitting on a dirty straw mat on an even dirtier floor. The painting is coming off the wall and there is mold and fungus in every corner - and in front of me: 20 smiling 12 year olds. We are at school, in one of the big slum areas in Mumbai.
So, we talk about events around the world and I tell them that elections are coming up in Norway this Monday. They get curious. A shower of questions. Yes, we have hospitals and medicines. Yes, the roads are good (believe me- compared to Mumbai they are! ), Yes, most kids in Norway have some toys to play with.
Little Geeta looks at me: - You have schools in Norway? - I nod: Yes, all kids go to school. She giggles and bursts out: - The people in Norway must be sooo happy! Oh, dear reader, I swallow hard and barely manage to nod and smile back.
Later, when they have group work, I sit and watch them chat and laugh. I know that some of them have siblings who dropped out of school. One has a sick dad and they have no money for the expensive medicine he needs. One has to go home after class to cook for 4 younger siblings. One is the son of a single mum who travels 2,5 hours every day to work for 9 hours, and then 2,5 hours to get home again (if the traffic is ok). One is the daughter of a single mum who works from home, making plastic hair clips, and is payed 25 rupee (2,5 NOK) for every 1000 she makes. I know that some of these kids, who live in the roughest parts, can not play outside, and that their parents have to follow them to the public toilets - because it is not safe for them to be out alone.
After class, the group of mums who come to pick them up, greet me with big smiles and kind words. Always time for a happy moment. I come home, and read my Norwegian on-line newspapers. So sorry, Norway - but right now it feels absurd to read about the election campaign and some of the things you discuss back home. And from the sideline in India: - do not forget to appreciate what we have: hospitals, medicine and health insurance, schools for all children, freedom to speech and to study what you want. Make some time in your everyday life to enjoy the moments and give some thoughts to what you are grateful for. Somewhere else in the world there are people who think that you are so lucky! You must be so happy!!! Are you?
Happy elections, Norway!
PS: Yes, of course I did my duty. I gave my vote when I was in Norway in June. Here we are giving our votes, and the staff is taking care that we do it the proper way:-)
So, we talk about events around the world and I tell them that elections are coming up in Norway this Monday. They get curious. A shower of questions. Yes, we have hospitals and medicines. Yes, the roads are good (believe me- compared to Mumbai they are! ), Yes, most kids in Norway have some toys to play with.
Little Geeta looks at me: - You have schools in Norway? - I nod: Yes, all kids go to school. She giggles and bursts out: - The people in Norway must be sooo happy! Oh, dear reader, I swallow hard and barely manage to nod and smile back.
Later, when they have group work, I sit and watch them chat and laugh. I know that some of them have siblings who dropped out of school. One has a sick dad and they have no money for the expensive medicine he needs. One has to go home after class to cook for 4 younger siblings. One is the son of a single mum who travels 2,5 hours every day to work for 9 hours, and then 2,5 hours to get home again (if the traffic is ok). One is the daughter of a single mum who works from home, making plastic hair clips, and is payed 25 rupee (2,5 NOK) for every 1000 she makes. I know that some of these kids, who live in the roughest parts, can not play outside, and that their parents have to follow them to the public toilets - because it is not safe for them to be out alone.
After class, the group of mums who come to pick them up, greet me with big smiles and kind words. Always time for a happy moment. I come home, and read my Norwegian on-line newspapers. So sorry, Norway - but right now it feels absurd to read about the election campaign and some of the things you discuss back home. And from the sideline in India: - do not forget to appreciate what we have: hospitals, medicine and health insurance, schools for all children, freedom to speech and to study what you want. Make some time in your everyday life to enjoy the moments and give some thoughts to what you are grateful for. Somewhere else in the world there are people who think that you are so lucky! You must be so happy!!! Are you?
Happy elections, Norway!
PS: Yes, of course I did my duty. I gave my vote when I was in Norway in June. Here we are giving our votes, and the staff is taking care that we do it the proper way:-)
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| Yes, found my party. Ready to submit The Envelope:-) |
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| Done! Protecting my precious vote, I hope:-) |
Great to hear what you are doing for the community. You have a very interesting background - Greek/Norwegian! How have your kids settled in to life in Mumbai?
ReplyDeleteAmelia @ www.chaiacupoflife.com
Thanks Amelia:-) It sure is a contrasted life we live here.. Yes, we are all fine, settled well:-) Warm hugs to you:-)
DeleteI remember feeling so similar when living in Gabon. It's hard to hear people complain of things at home when you're seeing such dire situations abroad.
ReplyDeleteGlad we connected!
Me too Jay, very glad:-) Thanks for commenting, and have a wonderful day:-)
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