That Thing They Do…

Children have an unprecedented capacity to hope. Never before have I experienced this like I did during our field visit to Koppal.

Arriving on the build-site of Visthar 2 (Koppal) we climbed down from atop our bus, grabbed our gear, and walked into 4 of the best hours of my time in India. After doing some good ole’ fashioned manual labour: cement slingin’; brick flingin’; tree diggin’, we sat down with the people Visthar respects most, the children of the Bandhavi school, and their mothers.

The ensuing discussion covered experiences with the Devadasi system, past and present; current projects; and hopes for the future. It was a rollercoaster of a dialogue. Many of the women’s stories were heart-wrenching at times, but they displayed a resilience that defies anything I’ve seen in the U.S. Their thoughts of the future lay with their children and in their hopes for education and empowerment. These are messages I had heard before, from various sources, on various visits thus far. But this was different. And it became immediately, and repeatedly clear. These girls had power. They participated in the discussion, answering questions without hesitation, yet with great eloquence. When asked about their plans for the future, the answers we heard “teacher,” “social worker,” “organizer;” careers that are geared towards empowering others. Compared with so many we’d met with in our time in India, these girls seemed to get it. On a very personal and very profound level.

Throughout the afternoon, over lunch, play-time, and further talks, I fell in love with these girls. Yes I recognize that children can be naive, and unfoundedly hopeful, but there was a strength of determination emanating from each and every one of them that shook me. I mean what other group of pre-teen girls has formed a Federation dedicated to protecting the rights of children? I watched, moved, as they stood up one-by-one that afternoon and listed off their name, year-in-school, and position in the Federation. Ministers of Health, Finance, Sports, Chief Ministers, and former members around the room made their presence known. I had tears in my eyes by the time the smiled, bowed, and sat back down, keen to continue the dialogue.

Call me overly sentimental, but I have confidence in the world that the 30 little girls in that room will change things. For themselves, for their families, for the future, for the better.