I am sitting in my new flat here at Mandiram Society. I "moved in" yesterday with the help of Ian and a very kind staff member, Baby Sir. I was proud of myself for only bringing 3 small bags for the entire summer. I will be staying at Mandiram for a very small part of April and all of May for summer vacation since classes have ended.
Let me fill you in a little bit about Mandiram. It solely serves as an old age home. The residents consist of both paid residents and people called "inmates." Inmates are typically people who are not here by choice. Many are sick and may not have a family to take care of them. In Kerala, it is custom for the youngest son to take care of their parents once they get old. By take care I don't just mean visit them when they are sick, I mean the whole family lives together. Mom, Dad, children, grandma and grandpa.
The value placed on inter-generational living is something that is pretty central to Kerala life. Many of the inmates are not just physically suffering from old age, many are also emotionally suffering from a missing piece of their lives: being cared for by their children. At Mandiram they get round the clock care from a nursing staff, food from the mess hall, and lots of pastoral care. The staff and ministers running the place try to fill in the gaps in the hearts of inmates and paid residents alike.
Mandiram has many other programs. I am still learning about some, but one that is very dear to me is the Balika Mandiram orphanage. The orphanage is home to around 10 vibrant, smart, funny, adorable girls. The girls go to good schools and are sponsored by donors to Mandiram Society. They live in the same building as the inmates, who are fondly called the "ammachis and appachens," grandmas and grandpas in Malayalam. So, in a way there is a new kind of family unit here at Mandiram. It is bigger and not what every person is used to, but to the youngest girls in the bunch, this is literally home. Sarah, age 6 and Leya, age 9, have been living here since they were tiny. Manna, age 3, came directly from the hospital to Mandiram.
I have been here before, as you may remember from previous blogs. My program mate Nicole was here before she left India in November. I fell in love with the community with her. It was difficult for me to imagine what Mandiram would be like without Nicole. I was worried that I might get here and feel like I was trying to fill a void. I was worried that people would miss Nicole too much to want to interact with me.
Of course my worries and predictions were futile. People here definitely miss Nicole a lot, but it actually feels really good to be a link for her here. I can tell the people she loves so dearly that she is doing well where she is. Just like a family, they are immensely happy that she is happy. The community is also so warm and inviting toward me as an individual. I already feel at home here, and it sounds like May will be pleasantly busy.
So, why will I only be here for a small part of April and the full month of May? Because on April 9th Ian and I leave for our ALL INDIA TOUR 2012!!!!! I am beyond excited! Let me give you a rough outline of our itinerary.
April 9- Delhi (Red Fort!)
April 12- Amritsar (Golden Temple!)
April 15- Dharamsala/ McCleod Ganj (Tibetan government in exile! Himalayas!)
April 19- Agra (MY BIRTHDAY! TAJ MAHAL!)
April 22- Jaipur (The Pink City!)
April 26- Goa (Palolem Beach! Hippies and Sun!)
May 1- Return to Kochi
Sorry for the one million exclamation points. I have exceeded my exclamation quota for this post by leaps and bounds. Please pray for Ian and I as we prepare for the journey. It will be interesting to switch roles from "culturally quasi-assimilated foreigner" to "tourist." It will also be interesting to navigate these new places and navigate new parts of our teamwork abilities. Expect updates as we journey along! The swanky North has some hotels with internet (ooooooooo)
In conclusion, my life is an open book right now. I feel full of possibilities, ready to use my gifts when I am called, and ready to adventure out into the unknown when it is necessary. I feel stronger and more focused than I have in a long time. I am so glad for God's gift of compassion. I feel it radiating throughout this community and resonating deeply in my heart.
"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them we cannot survive."- The Dalai Lama
Let me fill you in a little bit about Mandiram. It solely serves as an old age home. The residents consist of both paid residents and people called "inmates." Inmates are typically people who are not here by choice. Many are sick and may not have a family to take care of them. In Kerala, it is custom for the youngest son to take care of their parents once they get old. By take care I don't just mean visit them when they are sick, I mean the whole family lives together. Mom, Dad, children, grandma and grandpa.
The value placed on inter-generational living is something that is pretty central to Kerala life. Many of the inmates are not just physically suffering from old age, many are also emotionally suffering from a missing piece of their lives: being cared for by their children. At Mandiram they get round the clock care from a nursing staff, food from the mess hall, and lots of pastoral care. The staff and ministers running the place try to fill in the gaps in the hearts of inmates and paid residents alike.
Mandiram has many other programs. I am still learning about some, but one that is very dear to me is the Balika Mandiram orphanage. The orphanage is home to around 10 vibrant, smart, funny, adorable girls. The girls go to good schools and are sponsored by donors to Mandiram Society. They live in the same building as the inmates, who are fondly called the "ammachis and appachens," grandmas and grandpas in Malayalam. So, in a way there is a new kind of family unit here at Mandiram. It is bigger and not what every person is used to, but to the youngest girls in the bunch, this is literally home. Sarah, age 6 and Leya, age 9, have been living here since they were tiny. Manna, age 3, came directly from the hospital to Mandiram.
I have been here before, as you may remember from previous blogs. My program mate Nicole was here before she left India in November. I fell in love with the community with her. It was difficult for me to imagine what Mandiram would be like without Nicole. I was worried that I might get here and feel like I was trying to fill a void. I was worried that people would miss Nicole too much to want to interact with me.
Of course my worries and predictions were futile. People here definitely miss Nicole a lot, but it actually feels really good to be a link for her here. I can tell the people she loves so dearly that she is doing well where she is. Just like a family, they are immensely happy that she is happy. The community is also so warm and inviting toward me as an individual. I already feel at home here, and it sounds like May will be pleasantly busy.
So, why will I only be here for a small part of April and the full month of May? Because on April 9th Ian and I leave for our ALL INDIA TOUR 2012!!!!! I am beyond excited! Let me give you a rough outline of our itinerary.
April 9- Delhi (Red Fort!)
April 12- Amritsar (Golden Temple!)
April 15- Dharamsala/ McCleod Ganj (Tibetan government in exile! Himalayas!)
April 19- Agra (MY BIRTHDAY! TAJ MAHAL!)
April 22- Jaipur (The Pink City!)
April 26- Goa (Palolem Beach! Hippies and Sun!)
May 1- Return to Kochi
Sorry for the one million exclamation points. I have exceeded my exclamation quota for this post by leaps and bounds. Please pray for Ian and I as we prepare for the journey. It will be interesting to switch roles from "culturally quasi-assimilated foreigner" to "tourist." It will also be interesting to navigate these new places and navigate new parts of our teamwork abilities. Expect updates as we journey along! The swanky North has some hotels with internet (ooooooooo)
In conclusion, my life is an open book right now. I feel full of possibilities, ready to use my gifts when I am called, and ready to adventure out into the unknown when it is necessary. I feel stronger and more focused than I have in a long time. I am so glad for God's gift of compassion. I feel it radiating throughout this community and resonating deeply in my heart.
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| last week's YAV India meeting at Mandiram |
"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them we cannot survive."- The Dalai Lama
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