Girls' Stories

I could go on and on about the girls. Each time we visit the homes I walk away with one funny story, or something interesting that happens. So...2 stories.

One of the first times we went to the home I met one of the new girls. She was stern and didn't show a lot of emotion. She didn't know how to make jewelry so she sat with me and worked on some Christmas ornaments. Well the next week when we returned I asked her her name again cause i couldn't remember. She got all mad, saying in Hindi, that i just met her last time and how could i not remember her name. So, I made sure to remember it. 5 minutes later, i was speaking to her and said "Here, Sabiya," she gave me a look and smiled. We were both laughing cause i used her name. She knew. We've bonded.

There are many many languages in India. One of our girls at a home doesn't speak Hindi cause she's from a different region. None of the other girls in the home speak her language, so communication is a real challenge for her. She's become kind of a scapegoat for them. And though she doesn't understand the language she knows full well that she's getting blamed. People are constantly saying, she can't do that. She can't do this...So the girls were signing my arm cause it was Friendship Day. (a holiday) It's just something you do. and of course they're saying, Oh no, she can't do it. She doesn't know how. She even was saying she couldn't, shaking her head. But i encouraged her to try. I figured she could draw a happy face or flower or something. So she copied a few letters from one of the other girl's names. She was very happy. She has an amazing smile. And considering all she puts up with I can't believe how happy she is all the time.

Last story...I hadn't seen my Geeta since I had been here. She's one of my favorite girls from last year. She's been working at a beauty parlor 6 days a week so she's never home when we're there. On Saturday I forgot to ask if she was home cause she hasn't been there yet. So i'm sitting working on a project and I look up and there she was. Of course I got all excited and ran over to her. Communicating the story in words doesn't really sound as good as if you're living it. But we had a few exchanges through translation. I was just glad I got to see her.