While We Can

Well, I have survived my first two weeks in Jaipur. Survived is hardly an apt word to describe my condition, since my standard of living has increased dramatically since coming here. Apart from being extremely sick of paneer (its a hard cheese served for dinner, guys) and waging more than a few battles with the shower (your primary function is to provide hot water, you superfluous junk). Other than that, I don't clean, I don't cook and I don't do my laundry.

What, may you ask, do I do?

The best part of the day are my kids. EASILY. I go into the Foundation in the afternoon and spend about four hours with a variety of ages on a variety of subjects. These first days have been restricted to observing, taking notes and communicating with the teachers about English levels. This week I will actually throw myself to the masses and begin teaching on my own. I have devised a loose set of lesson plans for each class, as the level of English varies greatly. But I won't bore you with those. 

The children are....inspiring, fun, funny, easygoing, beautiful, LOUD and eager to learn. They attend the Foundation after already going to government school in the day and they do so voluntarily. Can you imagine? But they come, every day, willing to learn. While I love the boys, I confess that my heart is with the girls. Perhaps it is because I know how difficult things will be for them as they grow and face societal/community/economic/family pressure to abandon their education. When they all tell me they want to be doctors and lawyers, I can't help but think "God, I hope so. But probably not." BUT, they are in school now and the least I can do is teach them as much as I can. While they can. 

Jaipur and the village of Amber are beautiful and historical. I consistently entertain fantasies of maharajas on horseback with curved blades riding into the sunset, with the Amber Fort behind them. I am all alone here still, so I have a lot of time. And opportunities to entertain myself.

Posts and more pictures coming soon!