Obey the traffic rules

That’s what is deftly painted on the back of the tuk tuks here, and even some of the busses. However, it seems that the traffic rules consist of honking to announce your presence and speeding as fast as possible to worm your way through tiny spots in the traffic. It seems like unruly chaos when you first experience it, then you get over your American in a foreign country discomfort and you feel the rhythm to it.

This is almost a perfect metaphor for the service experience I’ve been having. At first, I walked into the women’s section of Shanti Dan, the home for women and girls with differing mental and physical abilities, absolutely overwhelmed. All the women had lice, and therefore, shaved heads. There were women draped all over the cool cement hallway in various states of consciousness. Honestly, I felt inadequate to be providing care due to my limited experience and my fear of the women. But just like growing accustomed to the wild traffic, I started to understand the rhythm and order at Shanti Dan. From hanging the laundry just right to becoming Auntie Sophie to several of the older women, I’m understanding the routine.

Apart from the mother homes, we’ve been working with the Loreto schools and with a fair trade clothing company called Free Set. Both have been eye opening service sites, requiring patience and open minds to reflect on the intricacies and ironies of international service.

From the moment we stepped out of the doors into intense humidity, heat and stares of Kolkata, I realized this trip is all about immersion. Experiencing a foreign culture requires some sensory overload that comes from being dunked headfirst into the hustle and bustle of their everyday life. Slowly, you come to understand and adapt to the routines and customs. You can say the same for service, at first, you feel intrusive and awkward, but day by day, you start working more and more with the people you are serving and it becomes more of a team approach to the same problems.

Much love,

Sophie Adams ‘18