Joining hands across the border

It is always interesting to pick a general direction and just simply walk. Yesterday that is what Ann and I did in the afternoon. We saw a new side of Khardah. There is countryside, open space and less pollution, not much less, but slightly less. People approached us and we had the same conversation we have everyday...where are you from, what is your age, what is your purpose here, do you like India? The conversation stops abruptly when they run out of English words to say and you move on to the next encounter. One man stopped us and had a basic knowledge of English so the conversation was longer than usual. When we told him we were nurses volunteering in India he eloquently stated, 'how wonderful to have so many hands joining together across the border.' We almost recruited him on the spot for CRAWL public relations.

I was dressing the wound of a young boy this morning when I felt two small arms hug me from behind and a tiny neck nuzzle into mine. When I turned to the side I saw the young girl who had been raped a few days prior. I finished the dressing and hugged her strongly. She climbed onto my back and stuck with Ann and me for the morning. She was running a fever and I was afraid she might have an infection. We examined her and told her mom to take her to Mother Teresa's Clinic where she could get a prescription. I wanted to bring her with us back home but I had to restrain. It worries me to no end what kind of care this child, and so many others receive. I have to admit I 'googled' adoption of Indian children when I got back home but am unfortunately aware of the masses of kids who are in the same situation. Maybe someday.

This afternoon we joined some of the volunteers at the CRAWL school for craft day. We made model animals, painted, sang and had a blast. The kids are gorgeous and kind. I hope to spend more time with them. In the evening we walked to the outskirts of Khardah and bought curd and sweets and now we are going to the flat for a small St. Paddy's day celebration. Tomorrow Ann, Rebecca and I are taking an overnight train to Puri for some beach time and camel riding. More to come... Katie