Ellie Writes About Trip to India

[This article originally appeared on the Jhpiego Facebook page on July 12, 2012.]

A Trip to Remember — GirlSpot Author Volunteers in India

[GirlSpot author and Jhpiego high school intern Ellie Dominguez recently spent time in New Delhi, India doing volunteer work. Ellie shares her international adventures from working with children and visiting villages, to meeting pen pals Tanya and Rushali.]

Greetings! Ellie here, having just returned from a 3 week adventure in India where I explored cities, taught English, and even met Tanya and Rushali, from our previous Girlspot post! It was incredible to learn about and experience such a different culture. Everything from the language and architecture to the food and dress was exotic and beautiful. Everywhere I went I learned new and exciting things about this country of over 1.2 billion people. One moment I would find myself on a bustling metropolitan street, the next, a rural and humble village. It was in the latter that I would realize just how needed Jhpiego’s services are.

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As advanced as India is, there are still areas that have little access to healthcare, and with such a large population, it is easy for a person to become just a number. Though I saw few young mothers, when I spoke to Tanya and Rushali, they told me that in certain areas many young girls are married off at 14 and expected to cook, clean and bear children, without a chance to get a good education. It was common for many women of poorer families to work as housemaids for wealthier families; this meant that either the kids were home alone, at school, or went to work with their mother. In the day care where I worked during my time in India, parents who were construction workers and housemaids were relieved to have a safe and happy place for the children to go to during the day.

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Tanya and Rushali received a health education similar to mine. Going to an all-girls school and college has made Tanya aware of and passionate about women’s issues, and she has expressed an interest in Jhpiego’s work. Rushali too is aware and concerned, and says her school has made efforts to end human trafficking. They say that seeing these poorer circumstances around them make them appreciate their education and opportunities even more, and they are proud of Jhpiego’s work in saving the lives of women and babies in an effort to keep families strong and thriving.

It was surreal, meeting them and seeing Jhpiego’s headquarters in India. Everyone was incredibly kind, and the experience has left me with a yearning to return. It was great to see Jhpiego’s work firsthand on the other side of the world. A truly memorable trip indeed.

Until next time! Ellie

[Read more on Garrison Forest School website]

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