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India Day 3 (Part 2) – Hope, Success and The Princess Adolescent Girls Club.

India Day 3 (Part 2) – Hope, Success and The Princess Adolescent Girls Club.
Carly Jacobs

I’m trying to be careful not to bombard you guys with everything all at once because it must be a major culture shock to go from my regular Why Don’t You? posts to hardcore World Vision India stuff. It’s kind of like sprinkling salt on your cereal instead of sugar and then getting a mouthful of something you weren’t expecting. I totally get that and I love you all for being so beautiful and supportive. 

In the afternoon of our third day we visited another slum. We were greeted by a group of smirky teenagers, one of which was standing there lighting matches and throwing them inches from our car. Despite the fact that I was a visitor in his community and that this boy lives in a slum and has been through things that I can only imagine, I couldn’t stop my brain from thinking ‘You cockhead‘. I felt terrible but then I thought a) he can’t read my brain and I didn’t say it out loud and b) he was being a dick. I don’t care if you’re poor, or rich, or Indian, or Australian or the freakin’ Prime Minister. There’s no need to be a dick. 

 I was elated to meet this beautiful family. This woman has five children, two of which are sponsor children. Her beautiful son is just 21 years old and has been supporting his family by working since he was about 10 years old. His father is an alcoholic who left the family to fend for themselves. This boy is so wise, I could feel it just by looking at him.

I took his photo and even though we don’t speak the same language, I pulled a silly face to get him to relax. He has such a beautiful smile.

These are his sisters showing Joy their girls club book.

They have a club that addresses hygiene issues for women in their community. Don’t you love the name of their club?

This is Ashish.

He’s one of the World Vision correspondents. The community told us how he gets letters from their sponsors and comes to the village to translate them. He then patiently sits with the families as they dictate a reply and then he types the letter into English and sends it back to the sponsor. Can I get collective lady swoon for Ashish? What a gorgeous guy. He totally winked at me. Don’t pretend you aren’t jealous. 

That night we ate a quick dinner in the hotel restaurant (seriously over curry right now), had a cold shower and hopped into bed for a 4.30am start in the next morning.

This experience is extraordinary and I’m so privileged to be here… but it’s certainly not a holiday.

To sponsor a child visit World Vision Australia. 

12 Comments

  1. Omega 11 years ago

    I for one am loving the India posts! Looking forward to the rest of them 🙂

  2. always Josefa 11 years ago

    love the India posts, simply love
    xx

  3. Anonymous 11 years ago

    Carly, you are refreshingly honest. Love your India posts. 🙂

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      So glad I’m not across as bitchy! Thank you. x

  4. Tara 11 years ago

    I’m loving the India posts! It definitely is different (but not in a bad way!) but I love reading such honestly written, beautiful posts. Please keep them coming, you superstar! xx

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Thank you so much! I’ve giving everyone a break from them tomorrow but I’ll still publish a post about every day I was here!

  5. Luc 11 years ago

    We all love your sparkley posts which brighten our day. But this is important stuff, and I think your India posts have been awesome.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      I have two sparkly ones for tomorrow just for fun, but then back to India!

  6. Seana Smith 11 years ago

    Plenty of time for holidays. I’ve never been to India but lived in Pakistan for a year, and it was a huge culture shock. I had thought I was an experienced traveller but the sub continent is different. So glad to see it through your eyes.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      I agree! But I would love to visit India more casually next time. 🙂

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