Women (of Shanti Ashram) hold up half the sky

I met more amazing, empowering women within three weeks than I have met in my entire life. Just one of many examples is a woman named Kaplana. She is one of the women I interviewed during my time in India. Not only is Kaplana part of the tailoring business, but she teaches 16 other women how to stich. Kaplana and her team of women make these beautiful fabric folders from their leftover materials. The files are sold with the help of Shanti Ashram and Kaplana said that her business blesses the women and herself with an income that can support their families. She said she is fortunate enough to live a comfortable life, thanks to her business. But her work doesn't stop there. On top of her tailoring unit, she also runs a government-funded food security unit in which families can receive subsidized food to support their families. Each family can receive rice (portions depends on the family size/income but each family is eligible). The best part is that Kaplana's husband supports her in everything she does. He assists her in the shop and if it wasn't for him, she said, her work would not be possible. I found this to be so amazing because we saw/heard of women who were not even allowed to leave the house or speak for themselves. To see a woman that allows her to run two organizations single-handedly made me so very happy.

June 8, 2012

This is Kanaka Sabhai temple in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Youth volunteers from Shanti Ashram come here every Friday to clean (sweep) the temple floors. We had the honor of joining them last Friday and experienced the beauty of this temple. There is an elephant that is usually inside. He was "taking his lunch break" but we got to see him in his giant cage nearby. Mahatma Gandhi's ashes are also in this village, next to the dried up Noyyal river.

Last full day in Mango Land

Tomorrow I leave to go back to the States. My experience in India has been one of ups and downs, but mostly ups. It has been a trip that I will remember for the rest of my life and definitely not the last time I'll be visiting. The hospitality in this country is almost overwhelming... people are so nice and want to stuff your face with food always. Tiffany and I finished our wish list besides a few minor things. I will miss all my friends at the Ashram, Amma (Vinu's mother), and especially Vinu. We had to say farewell to Vinu yesterday morning because she left for a conference in Tanzania on child poverty. It was hard to say goodbye to someone that I admire so very much. To be honest, I was fighting back tears as we shared the longest hug and she drove away. She would really like me to come back next summer to write a book on the amazing women of Shanti Ashram/nearby villages (if you have read Half the Sky, it will be the Half the Sky of Shanti)!~ ~I'll keep this short so I can spend my last day enjoying Shanti with my new friends. See you all in the States soon!~ Peace and Love.~ p.s. I will continue writing old posts once I return, including a long one about Dr. Vinu's amazingness

...and then the greatest thing happened. The best memory I experienced in my (almost) 3 weeks in Coimbatore thus far. I have had some pretty unforgettable memories in India but this one surpasses them all by a landslide. I'll hold it close to my heart for eternity. We went out for our first fancy dinner since being in the country. The meal was expensive (for Coimbatore) and we had several leftovers. We asked the waiter to parcel the food (parcel=to go) and decided we wanted to give our food to someone who was hungry on the street.After much searching at 10pm as well as being stalked by a middle-aged man, we found an elderly woman selling flowers (for hair)still sitting on the edge of the curb. Hoping to make more sales as the night dragged on. She looked lonely. Very short and clearly malnourished. Dirty from living on the street. It is safe to assume that she knew none of my English but I knelt beside and said, "Excuse me ma'am, do you want this?" Holding the bag out to her. She didn't get it. Not even a little, but she half smiled a very sweet grin anyway. I tried again. "Are you hungry?" I moved the bag even closer to her frail, overworked hands. Instantly, I felt my heart melt of joy as the biggest, missing-teeth smile took over her face. I held my hands out in Namaste, the greatest sign of respect on her native land. I will go to bed with an equally large grin tonight knowing that she is feasting on tandoori vegetables/paneer, romali bread, and naan. It is exactly these kinds of moments that my late father lived for everyday of his life. I know wherever he is now, he is joyed at my simple act of kindness he taught me to embrace so well. xoxo Katie ** To find out what came before (a.k.a. the stalking story), you'll have to wait to hear it in person**

Wish list -- Volunteer in temple -- Learn about HIV situation -- Learn about healthcare system -- Visit a farm -- See a movie -- See a Hindi movie -- Weaving factory -- Assist with immunizations -- Sanitation project -- Learn about Hinduism -- Visit Tamil Temple(s) -- Find Indian music -- South Indian cooking tutorial -- Tie a saree -- Visit fabric store -- custom made clothing (salwaar kameez) -- See Shanti's tailoring class -- 3 interviews -- Night in village with Laura, Emma, and Josh (other American interns from BYU) -- Find church for Sunday -- Learn about ayruvedic medicine -- Learn about nutrition status -- Go to mountains -- Grant writing -- Watch the stars on the roof of Yoga Institute -- Find the cheapest meal in Coimbatore (14 rupees for dosa dinner) -- Find a new project for SAID (I have 2-3 actually!) --attend an Indian wedding -- participate in Indian wedding

Things they don't tell you when you visit Coimbatore: -- Don't waste space in your suitcase bringing sunscreen because the smog is so thick, you can't even catch a tan, let alone a sunburn -- Mosquito repellent doesn't work -- There WILL be feces infested waters as you cross bridges and you WILL be forced to smell it -- You are an alien life form and people will stare, even when you're in a dark movie theater (skin glows florescent) -- Do not sit on the roof of the yoga institute and be loud with the lights on at 11pm or you will get called out -- If you hang an Indian's laundry out to dry for them, they will be eternally grateful and bring you cookies and mangoes all the time to return the favor -- DO NOT DO NOT smile back at middle aged men in the mall or they will follow you up 6 escalators o.O -- Bring lots of cash because none of the banks will take your freakin' American debit cards -- Make sure you send mail AS SOON as you arrive in the country or family/friends will get you letters weeks after you return home -- If you have sensitive skin, pack a ton of anti-itch cream because apparently Indian people don't believe in it (especially with the crappy tap water, it's necessary) -- Never order chennna masala. You will get sick from the excessive amount of chick peas -- NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVERRRRRRRR go to a place called Seasons (or really anywhere that attempts to make western food. terrible... just terrible!) -- Get use to frequent power outages -- Beware of low-flying bats. There are some with a wing span of 2 feet, I sware -- There will be an intermission if you see a movie. And people will whistle through the entire movie, regardless of its relevance

Tiffany and Katie's list of different smells around Coimbatore: 1) Human feces~ 2) Burning of the garbage~ 3) Car exhaust~ 4) Curry~ 5) Animal feces~ 6) The smell of goat~ 7) Gutter smell~ 8) Under the bridge smell on the way to Shanti (a.k.a. more feces)~ 9)temple smell (awesome)~ 10) Body odor~ 11) Mehendi (good one)~ 12) the chocking out of bug spray that does nothing~ 13) Dried fish~ 14) Did we mention feces?~ 15) Tap water~ 16) Delicious food~ 17)

Tiffany and Katie's list of different Indian honks: 1) I am here- 2) You're in the way. move (please)- 3)I am going to be driving in the wrong lane- 4) I'm speeding around this very sharp turn. You should stop- 5) Our cars are literally touching each other because of this extremely narrow road, but I will honk anyway in hopes that it will change the situation- 6) Move cow/goat/dog/infant sleeping/standing in the road- 7) This is not a pedestrian zone (no such thing actually- 8) Haven't honk in thirty seconds. Just thought I would make some noise- 9) First person on the road at 6am. NOISE NOISE NOISE 10) Response honk (honk back pweaaassee)- 11) We are about to crash into each other. Let's honk instead playing chicken 12) White person honk? 13) There's a giant boulder under your front tire.... let me honk for you 14) It's dark and there are no lights so I will honk in hopes that people won't crash into me 15) Hey! You cut me of honk (why didn't I think of that?!)

Finally found an internet cafe

May 18, 2012 Three movies, five T.V. episodes, excessive amounts of gross airplane food, and 24-hour time warp/sleepless hours later, we made it! It hit me like a slap in the face--I saw the lights of Delhi from the plane and I realized that I'm actually in India. I'm still waiting to be pinched because this must be a dream. But it's not all fun and games... I saw more poverty in out 10 minute drive to the hotel than I have seen in my entire life in the U.S. For someone that has volunteered in soup kitchens since she could walk, that's saying a lot. I hope that everyone of those people find something to eat tonight. Leaving the brand new Delhi airport, I saw a dog dying on the sidewalk. Scruffled fur and skinny as a rail from starvation/dehydration. I instantly thought of my own dog and wished I could help it. Another slap in the face. We are all chcked in and recooping at the Jaypee Siddharth Hotel. We have a great balcony but no way to enter it (the door is locked). Everything went smoothly, thanks to my lovely Ganesh. I was scouting the elephant god's necklace pendant (a gift I gave to my grandma then borrowed for the trip. Thanks Gma Betty! I've had many compliments already) as well as a Ganesh ring that I've worn every day for a year now. ________________________________________________________________ 5-19-12 6am Can't sleep in the bustle of Delhi traffic. The view from Jaypee HOtel is even better than last night. You can see parts of the city from room 427. Still wish taht balcony was accessible. I feel like a caged bird... I'm in India (it's still weird to say that, but I cannot explore, which is all I want to do. We spent the day by the pool today... had the whole thing to ourself. Definitely a good way to cure jet lag I am currently people watching from the hotel balcony (well, kind of) in Delhi: There's a giant bump in the road and as cars/ buses drive over it, they look like they will tip over. Child beggars hold out their baby siblings to ask for money. Others hold cups, desperate for food. A family of six sit on the side of the road as some of the children go out to beg. A little boy in particular walks off by himself. Mom doesn't notice, too busy figuring out the next place they will sleep and eat. These children step out into busy Delhi traffic, any attempt to receive even the smallest sum. Two men are on the roof of what appears to be an apartment complex-- There must be a track for they are walking in circles. One is an older man, simply walking the track, where as the other one trains hard--running with breaks to do wall push-ups. Street vendors sell worthless items like balloons on a stick and infant-sized umbrellas. I've seen 2 purchased so far. I can't believe people actually buy that stuff. There is what appears to be an old, beat up park in the middle of the square. You can tell many people must sleep there because there is only penetrated dirt on the ground. There is a lot of trash on the ground (very common here). A boy walks by with a friend and tosses his garbage over the fence without hesitation, contributing to the mounds. Three-legged dogs hops across the way to look for scraps in the overflowing, green dumpster. Men embrace each other, even hold hands, completely different from home. A guy takes apart his motorcycle basically. It must have broken down. He kicks it a few times when it won't start. eventually he got it going and takes off after reassembly. __________________________________________________________________ 5-20-12~ I am not sitting in our room called Asteya at the Integral Yoga Institute in Coimbatore. We got to Coimbatore early by about an hour and waited. As soon as we gave up hope that we had a ride coming for us, another intern from Shanti named Ganesh walked up to us. Ask any of my friends at home and they'll tell you that I'm Indian at heart, so naturally I was drawn to this extremely charming young man. He keeps apologizing for his poor English for he is just learning but I think he speaks very good Enlglish! He is a very nice boy.~ Tiffany and I settled in and actually unpacked so now we actually are starting to feel at home :) We forced outselves to leave the room quickly to get water/food as we were feeling very dehydrated so we walked back to the place suggested to us. Amazing food and very cheap too! I got paneer tika masala with garlic naan (my favorite) and I felt like I was in heaven. We did, of course, attract an audience. Audience being the entire restaurant. It makes me a bit uncomfortable since it happens everywhere we go but it's something I need to get used to. Did I mention the food is super cheap here?!Between the two of us, we had 3 bottles of water, naad, roti, ali gobi, and masala for 307 rupees ($6). _______________________________________________________________________ **Skipping a bunch because I cannot write anymore from journal** _______________________________________________________________________ Tiffany and Katie's list of different Indian stares: 1) What are you?~ 2) Are you human?~3) Watching animals in a zoo eat food~ 4) Curious child stare~ 5) You must be a prostitute~ 6) Leering old man stare (literally STOPPED in the street to make himself more obvious)~ 7) Get out of my country~ 8) I want to have sex with you but I'm only 10 years old~ 9) Swivel state~ 10) Just the eyes... evil eyes~ 11) Why is there white people in the temple?~ 12) I really want to help you but don't know how/don't want to speak your language~ 13) Hey look! They're learning Tamil/wtf is that book about?~ 14) Long stare before you decide to wave and smile~ 15) Why is your hair not black?~ 16) How did you get here/why are you here?~ 16) Are you going to steal anything from my store (but more like stalking)~ 17) You are eating with your hands wrong~ 18) Let me watch you intently while you eat (EVERY MEAL!)... SEE #3~ 19) White people do yoga?~ 20) What happened to your skin?! stare _______________________________________________________________________ To make a long story short, I am really enjoying my time in Coimbatore. Shanti is great. I have become the designated photographer, taking pictures of all the events. The kids at Shanti are so adorable... they all swarm around Tiffany and I so they can practice their English. They LOVE pictures--being in them as well as taking them. I'm hoping to do a small workshop to teach them about photography before they leave (summer camp ends June 1st). Yoga is free for guests at the institute so I do yoga each morning before leaving for Shanti at 9am. Tiffany and I explore the city each night--a different part each day. We are definitely getting the hang of things and besides our obvious skin color difference (that seems to bother many people around here), we feel like locals. There are other Americans that visit Shanti 4 times per week. They are staying in a village and have invited us to spend the night there next week. As far as the internship, it has been mostly workshops/conferences for women/children. We visited a village in which many of the women learned tailoring/fashion design and I hope to incorporate their practices into my internship (bring contacts back for a man named Chris who would like to raise money for Shanti by buying local textiles from women in the community and sell them in the States). I will sit down with Dr. Vinu (director of Shanti/coolest person ever) tomorrow to discuss details about my work at Shanti. That is all for now. Love, Katie

Lift off is just hours away now. I have everything I could possibly need (hopefully). My bags are packed-- probably over packed-- and I'm ready to go. This is about the time my nerves get the best of me. Long, claustrophobic airplane rides are the worst part of traveling. Tomorrow I will be in New Delhi! Many more posts to come from overseas! Namaste.

"Place of Peace"

In two days, I will board a plane to Amsterdam that will then take me to New Delhi, India. I've waited months (maybe even years) for this day to come. Now that it's so close, I couldn't be more excited/nervous beyond belief. The thing I'm most afraid of is a scorching heat that could burn my fair, vulnerable skin within minutes if I'm not careful. It is crazy to think just how vulnerable we are to a foreign country such as India... but maybe that's the fun in it too. I know that I'm probably going to stick out like a sore thumb in my American-India clothing and I definitely wish I was more familiar with the language(s), but I am looking at it as a learning experience. I am going in with a completely open mind. I'm ready to be enlightened and empowered by the richness that is India. ________________________________________________________________________________ For those of you that don't know already, I will be staying in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India for nearly a month. Shanti Ashram is a non-profit organization that was founded upon Gandhi's political philosophy called sarvodaya ("universal uplift"). It aims to alleviate the poverty of rural Southern Indian families as well as empower groups of women and children. Shanti has programs that include anything from women's empowerment to environmental restoration. To learn more about Shanti, visit: http://www.shantiashram.org/shanti_ashram_about.html __________________________________________________________________________________________ As an intern at Shanti, I will cycle through several different programs my first week and then narrow it down to my favorite choice (most likely the one that needs the most work done). Right now, I am thinking environmental restoration (working with children and teaching them how to preserve the Earth) or peace and interfaith. But I remain very flexible in what I do. I would rather help with the one where I am most needed than anything else. In addition, I will photograph my experience, help Shanti update their website, and bring annual reports up-to-date. Granted, this could all change once I get there (I will try my best to keep you updated). ______________________________________________________________________________________ Tiffany and I will be housed at the Integral Yoga Institute not too far from Shanti. We are very excited to participate in daily yoga exercises as well as meditation methods. I have been preparing myself a bit (for the yoga and the heat) by doing hot yoga back home. http://www.integralyogaindia.org/ ___________________________________________________________________________________ Now for packing... In hopes that I have internet access now and then, stayed turned for more from India! Namaste, my friends. Peace and Love. "Each of us must be the change we want to see in this world" - Mahatma Gandhi

MSU Students Advancing International Development's Third Annual Gala

20.

How is it that my teenage years are over as of 11:59pm last night? It doesn't seem humanly possible. Time really does fly.

My birthday wish is to see a day without poverty. I realize how cliche that sounds, but honestly... It would such a refreshing change.

I am still crossing my fingers super tight that 7 more people sign up for the study abroad trip. I think I will create some sort of flier to get the word out there because not enough people know about this amazing experience that is just a few months away. I have literally been asking everyone to tell their friends about the India study abroad.

IF YOU KNOW ANY STUDENT IN MICHIGAN (preferably Michigan State) THAT DESIRES TO TRAVEL TO INDIA, TELL THEM TO APPLY!