It’s the home of a colourful culture which brings with it a mixture of emotions. After the excitement that you’ve finally decided to take such a big step, the fear of the unknown grips you to the point that a few hours before you leave you could easily turn back and not go at all. As soon as you arrive in India the overwhelming atmosphere takes over the fear and you can think of nothing else other than the sights and sounds which fill your first few days.  

Your eyes begin to settle yet your heart begins to grow and after spending merely a few days with the children you learn priceless values - Imagine having only rice to eat each and every day yet they still share it, imagine having no family yet they still are smiling, imagine being so young and being left alone to fend for yourself, sometimes even being beaten…yet they still have the capacity to love; And so you learn how to smile, how to give, how to live at peace, how to be thankful and most of all how to be honestly happy. Sometimes you feel guilty that you are taking so much and giving nothing – but rest assured they are so happy to just have someone be with them and give them attention. You have the power to show them that they are special and have worth. At the end of it all the tears will fall uncontrollably and you pray and wish you could stay. You even promise yourself your life will not be complete unless you go again! And that my friends is volunteering in India :)

 

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Written by Tara Elese