INDIA: Dalit Work Service

You must be the change you wish to see in the world- Gandhi.

 

Gandhi is the most well-known social activist from India. After making his point in South Africa he moved back to his homeland and begun his pacifist work towards social equality. Since then, many other political, spiritual, and humanitarian leaders have steps towards the abolishment of the Indian Caste System. There are four main castes: the Brahmins (teachers, scholars and priests), the Kshatriyas (kings and warriors), the Vaishyas (agriculturists and traders), and Shudras (service providers and artisans). Within these four groups there are over 2,000 subgroups. The lowest sector of the Shudras is the Dalit, the untouchables. In 1950 India adopted its Constitution fashioned after our own, emphasizing human rights. Although the caste system is no longer an official part of the Hindu relgion, it is still deeply enculturated in the attitudes of Indians, especially rural in rural India.

My first day in India I was amped to do service work in a Dalit Village. I was surprised to be greeted by song, lei of eucalyptus flowers, and a spiritual blessing. We were paraded by school children down the street past awestruck onlookers. Upon our arrival a few groups of children beautifully danced for us. I was beginning to get upset, it seemed like these kids were just fine, I wanted to go and actually work to help. All doubts were queued as soon as the intricate welcome reception ended. I was told to follow, to grab a paintbrush and tin, and begin. I painted blackboards with a paint mixture of gasoline and tar. Class did not stop, I was just pointed to a classroom and I would go in to begin. Of course there was a lot commotion to the teachers’ dismay. They would ask my name, I would say ‘I’m Kate,’ they ooed ‘her name is Imkate.’ I learned to say just ‘Kate’ and to not attempt to pronounce all of the names declared in my direction. I would say ‘what pretty/handsome names!’ Whenever I paused my horrific painting to interact with a class one of the leaders would come in and say ‘work, work, work’

The school we were working at had been deemed worthy of repair by our service organization. A group of us painted blackboards, some planted small shrubs, and some whitewashed the walls. The school deserved all of the attention our small group could give in the few hours we spent there. Over a thousand children make it to school each day to be instructed by only thirty six dedicated teachers. There was not enough room for all of the students, some classrooms were situated outside between buildings. When school let out, we all celebrated good work playing and taking pictures (I’m telling you, every child I have ever encountered on this trip is fascinated by cameras)

I had my first extreme toilet experience here, the hole in the ground type experience. I was escorted to a outhouse that was kept locked. A little boy ran in before me and turned on a water spout. The water flowed into a full bucket causing the overflow to run down the sloped floor towards.. the hole. I stared for a bit, thinking of my approach, and eventually made it out alive.

At the end of the afternoon I had tar all over my body and clothes. A girl came up to me and started rubbing my arms with gasoline. She said it was the only way to get the tar off. I was fine with this until the president of the school concluded our service by leading us in a peace meditation that involved several open flames.