I still remember the looks my mo and my friends gave me and some of their comments when I told them my I am going to volunteer in India. See I found this organization called AIESEC (if you are in university, wish to travel and kind of into community development and improving your soft skills, check them out http://www.aiesec.org). Long story short, within two months that I was introduced to the organization, I was already on my way to India to teach English and Maths at an NGO school in Punjabi.
It was my first time getting on a plane and traveling internationally. Before this, all I ever knew was my parents house, my grandparents place and whatever is in between. I remember crying for about 20 minutes after the flight descended. On the one hand I was happy that I have this wonderful opportunity, and at the same time I was super scared, after all the crazy talk that everyone has shared about India (even the people that have never been) I was not sure if I was strong enough to endure it.
Yes the first week was not easy and there were a couple of days where I missed South Africa dearly. However, I had a great time. So much so that I want to re-visit India and explore it properly because two months was not enough. I was hosted by a family that was Sikh by religion and all we ever ate was vegetarian food, which was surprisingly filling. I always had this ignorant mindset that vegetarian food could never be enough for a meat eater. I worked together with two other South African girls from my university, two guys from China and one Vietnamese girl in the project. And I met so many other people from different walks of life.
There was a girl from Ukraine who had been in India much longer, Khrystyna. I would never forget how much she helped me and the girls adjust. She had this assurance and tough-girl look on her face that made me comfortable. And there was the Tanzania’s house, which was always pleasant to visit-they served such amazing food and always had interesting stories to share. I experienced a little bit of Tanzania through them.
The happiest moment was during the last weeks when the kids could say “Hello teacher, how are you?” with confidence, very precious. And today I am not sure what happened to them after our short time there, but I wish with all my heart that they all good and that life is a little less harsh than then. And perhaps sometime soon I will be able to re-visit because I left a piece of my heart with all the people I met.
matshidisolp 