Being reminded of our Danish privileges

After a long night in one bed for three people to share, dogs barging and cars honking, we woke up. Or rather: the ice-cold water from the shower woke us up. With toasts and bananas as our only nutrition, we drove to the first school of the day.

Amar Yioti is a school that provides education, health care, rehabilitation etc. for both disabled and non-disabled children. At the school we were met with smiling children playing basketball in wheelchairs with their big, curious eyes staring at us.

A man followed us around showing us the respective classes and the many sections at campus. We were all overwhelmed of the obvious physical disabilities the children had; specifically, a little deaf boy crying hysterically in pain. Yet, the entire school was filled with positivity, comfort and caretaking of one another, which gave us hope for the future.

We are approaching Orgla (Project Why) as we pass the first clearly poor slums.

Project Why was founded by a woman who grew up in the wealthier India but was educated abroad. She had a vision of giving something back to where she grew up, so she founded the school herself due to the lack of faith in the Indian government.

We were placed in a circle in a small, dark room on what would be considered the roof. Hand in hand we were taught a funny dance to a woman's claps while everyone was laughing.

After the visit we took our bus driving through the thick smog to the last school, Yamina – also a part of Project Why –, while constantly being reminded of the extreme poverty that is prevalent in India.

We walked on narrow, dusty paths trying to avoid tripping over the trash. A smell of mud and cow dung overshadowed the pollution that still hang as a duvet even though we were no longer in Delhi.

Dirty, worn out sandals were lined up outside the shanty. Orange petals were thrown at us as a welcome and inside they were divided in different groups according to their age. They were very quiet and polite – until we inflated the balloons we had brought with us. Laughing and shouting, the teachers repeatedly had to shush at them.

In short time we created a bond with the children which made it really hard to say goodbye. They were waving at us shouting “bye” with their innocent voices.

Meeting all these children, with each of their own struggles, remined us once again of how lucky and privileged where are. It’s an eye opener seeing children being grateful for the things that we in Denmark tend to take for granted.

Emilie, Kamille og Ellen AK

21/11-19