A Cup of Chai

I’ll start by actually talking about my days. They are long and hot; the buses here are crowed and filled with B.O. For some reason though, i like it. I like the bus rides… sometimes they are peaceful. My commute to the place i teach (Shanti Dan) is approx 45 min with a mile walk. I have found peace and reflection in that also. There are 6 children in my class between the ages of 7 and 9 (when i say class.. do not think of a big spacious room with desks… there are 3 different age groups and 5 teachers– all of which teach in the same room just at different tables… it gets loud sometimes). Only one of my children is an orphan; all the others have families that live away from Shanti Dan (House of Peace). The children are taken in or dropped off because they are severely malnourished and/or have tuberculosis. Amidst the circumstances, they have amazing energy. They are learning shapes and numbers right now (in English) while they are teaching me some Bengali (state language). seriously, it makes me really sad to think of my last day with the children.  it is coming quicker than i know it. today we made musical instruments… i thought they were going to drop dead they were so excited! The children are by far my favorite part about India.