Part 3 -C Calcutta: Orientation

August 12, 2009

Volunteer Orientation was held at Shishu Bhavan, in kind of an outer, covered courtyard area. Things hadn't started yet, but there were many volunteers there already. I began talking with some other Japanese people there, the two people I saw while getting on the plane, and others as well. After a bit of small-talk, the orientation began. By the time I realized that people were in groups based on the language they understood best, I was stuck in the Japanese group! I didn't remember everything perfectly, but I did okay. It was meant to be, because when they explained about daily Mass that's held at Motherhouse, the Japanese gal who was explaining didn't know why non-Catholics were not supposed to take Eucharist, but I was able to explain a little bit more.

They recommended that we not give money or things to the people or children begging, because it is often not genuine, or else the person begging is being exploited or trafficked by someone else. There are plenty of charities that are willing to help those who are truly destitute, so the people begging are usually doing it as a hobby, or else they are being forced to do so by someone else who is manipulating them or threatening them. So, I resolved that I wouldn't contribute to that.

I was assigned to work at Shishu Bhavan children's home, on the handicapped children's floor. I was very glad especially to be assigned someplace close, so that I wouldn't have to take a bus. But, since our orientation was on Wednesday, and there is no volunteering on Thursday, it wouldn't be until Friday that I would go back to volunteer.

After orientation, Michiko and I decided to go shopping at Camac street mall, where the lady at the mission house had recommended. We took a taxi there, and I bought one traditional ladies outfit, just a type of long shirt, and pants that are narrow but long at the ankles so that they bunch up. Eventually I will post a picture.

We had a harder time getting back, partly because we first wanted to find a place to change money, and the first place that was recommended to us was closed. After we found another place, we managed to stop a taxi, but he wouldn't take us back for some reason. So we ended up walking all the way back. We sort of knew the way, and I also had a map so that we could check landmarks as we went. Part of the way, we had no choice but to walk through a crowded, noisy night market. I could tell some of the time that Michiko wanted to look at some of the things they were selling, but she also said she had a headache so we charged through to try to get back as quickly as possible.

All day we had walked through a tangle of humanity, full of extremes. I had seen men bathing in the street using a fire hydrant, as well as businessmen in fancy suits. The noise of car horns honking and bells ringing had been an unending din that lasted into the night. All I could do was pray that God would bring them peace, and increase my peace, to help me sleep.