Questions & Answers

No one will let me lift a finger, I have to sneak a glass of water or I'll be scolded for not allowing someone to fetch it for me. While the formal caste system is no longer in place there is a quiet, or not so quiet, social order that dictates who does what job.

The students study a lot. This is not the home I was planning on working with. Here there is a different philosophy. I can feed 6000 for a few years. I can feed and give minimal housing 600 till they are turned out to their own devices at 16. Or I can change the lives of 250 and possible change the world. A little idealistic but so am I. I'm not saying I agree one way or the other, that I think this system should be the standard. It is what is in place at this location and their work is good; very good.

In the home that houses the older children there are three full time, live in staff. they not only care for the kids from morning till night but oversee home schooling, household staff, and the finances and business details for the entire organization.

Additionally there are three full time staff. Please don't balk at this. They make $2.50 a day and are thrilled with their high wages.
This is a family for them also as they have no one else and live in an adjacent building on the property. They cook, clean, do laundry, etc. It may not sound like much but they are invaluable as the kids spend most of their free time studying.

Education is the onlu way out for these kids and their school is a bit different from ours in format. Notes aare copied from the board, lots of notes, notes in place of explanation. The kids teach themselves at least 65% of the information. They do tend an assigned garden. have household chores etc. and do much the same as ~merican children as far as work is concerned.

They are so curious about my life so we finally sat down and I explained a typical day in the American family - it wasn't the glamour they thought it would be.

"Have you seen a movie star?"
"Do you have houseflies?"
"You cook and clean?!"
"Do you know the Backstreet Boys?"
"Does everyone have a mobile phone?"
"Do you have/watch t.v.?"
"Are their lots of gangs?"
"Does everyone own a gun?"
"Have you ever dated an Indian man before?"
"Do US students all have blond hair?"
"Do students wear uniforms?"
"Does your powere go ou?" (The power gord out twice a day for no apparent reason and stays off for 2-3 hours. It happens city wide, not just at our site.)
"Do you only eat fried chicken?"
"Can you drive a car?"

Part of the lesson was getting them to look past the caste system and see they have opportunities with the education they are being given. Also that I cook and clean as well as work - no job is too menial contrary to what society says.