July 30
This morning we made a short visit to St. John's Diocesan Girl's Higher Secondary School. This was an elite school and off the dirty street you enter a large tropical court yard with a fabulous butterfly garden. It was full of dragonflies today. Our activity was perfect, a visit with four students each and we had lively conversations and many laughs. Some of my students may wish to become their email pals. http://www.stjohndiocesan.in
We've had quite a ruckus with our leaders in Kolkata. They are dealing with a lot of exchanges and we are just "work" to them which is quite evident with one exception. The program has been school and NGO heavy and no historic sights. Most of us our history teachers and the sights are top of our lists, so there has been some relatively polite discontent and debate. We've made a bit of progress in getting them to make some changes that we consider "for the better". We are at their mercy in these situations.
One of the positive changes was the visit we just finished to Mother Theresa's House. It was important to us and we appreciated it. We couldn't take pictures inside except of her shrine. It was lovely to be there and to see her things and to reflect upon her life work. Her India during and after partition was much worse than India today. That helps put some of the injustices and challenges we have been seeing in perspective. India is moving forward.
The courtyard in the complex was quiet and peaceful. The nuns were reciting prayers when we came in. After that it was quiet. Two nuns were washing clothes in pails. Everything was spotless. The complex was painted a calming Wedgewood blue with turmeric colored shutters. Her bedroom was simple yet sweet, a beautiful crucifix surrounded by a crown of thorns on the wall. Definitely a martyr though as she took the only bedroom above the kitchen. It was a quiet and restorative setting and the center of amazing work for Kolkata today. Good visit! Uplifting.
Great article from The Seattle Times.http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19970910&slug=2559642
"My girls"
1 comment:
That must have had a special feel. How incredible to be in such a spot!!
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