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Author Archives: Shahrzad Makaremi
The challenge of achieving change
In the past week, four groups of French students have visited the organization for cultural exchange. Our girls performed some theater and dance as a way to demonstrate their culture, but to also talk about the organization and the way of life for Dalit women and girls in Jodhpur. It was an interesting interaction, and many of the French girls had a lot of questions about things like the way the Dalit women dress and how women were treated and viewed. Later, some of the French students approached me to ask more questions about the situation of women in Rajasthan. … Continue reading
A visit from reality
I have never felt sadness when I am with the students at Sambhali Trust. They all have a lot of energy and joy, and I have always enjoyed being ridiculously silly with them. But as I have spent more time here, I have come to realize that I really see only two to three hours of their daily reality, and outside of that I have no idea what their lives are like. About two weeks ago, one of the newer students, Mumtaj, came to school crying. Mumtaj is 25 with three young children, and is suffering from depression. She is … Continue reading
Understanding culture and people
At the beginning of my trip, I had this naïve and grandiose belief in my role and how I would create change. But now, I have come to understand that before you can help create change, you must first really understand the society, the people and their way of life, and even more their beliefs and unsaid truths. My trip thus far has been more about understanding the Rajasthani way of life, the people, how caste works, and gender relations, than anything else. I have learned much more from the girls then I could ever teach them. And it is … Continue reading
Posted in Asia
Tagged Dalit, Global Poverty and Practice, Jodphur, Rajasthan, Sambhali Trust
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In Rajasthan, an old culture and a new name
Arriving in Jodhpur, India, after months of planning, dreaming and many email conversations, was wonderful. The heat, dust, and warm people of Jodhpur welcomed me. Jodhpur is busy; cars, rickshaws, and people are winding in and out of each other constantly, and the sound of honking is very common. There are also many colors, outside of the traditional blue that covers some of the buildings here (and makes them stand out from the dusty color of the rest). Almost all the women wear the traditional Rajasthani garb, in bright red, pink, orange, and green; this makes the large crowds much more … Continue reading
Posted in Asia
Tagged Global Poverty and Practice, India, Jodphur, Rajasthan, Sambhali Trust, women
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