First Impression, January 2009
Ms. Johanna Werz


Although I am here for only two days, I have made so many experiences as if I was here much longer. But in contrast, time is running and the days seem to be very short.

I can’t imagine that only three days ago I was picked up at the airport and brought to the guest house where the project takes place. Being very nervous of what might expect me it was really overwhelming how I was welcomed here. The girls of the project stood around the door, throwing flowers and Govind’s wife painted this typical Indian red point, called bindi, on my forehead. Govind, the head of the project, welcomed me very warmly. After a short talk Govind led my upstairs in the girl’s classroom. They were all smiling, gentle, and very nice. Like Govind also told me later, I always had the feeling that they could read my face and saw how excited and nervous I was (besides I was very very tired). Having told me their names and ages, the girls decided to show me a dance. At least Pinky (one of the other two volunteers) could stop the girls after their second dance by explaining them that I was very tired. She told me that dancing was one of the things the girls would like to do all day long if they were only allowed to. For this a new guest is always a good reason.

When I woke up after some sleeping hours Govind talked to me about the Sambhali Trust Project in Jodhpur, about the volunteer guidelines and what I was going to do. As the girls have just had some projects (they made various arts and crafts to sell them on the market) the plan is to bring them back to a daily routine. I am going to be the English teacher. Fortunately a girl is to arrive at the beginning of February, so we will teach together. I am very happy about this because I’ve never taught English before.

After dinner Corinne and Pinky (they are the other two volunteers in the project) showed me national Handloom, the very big store that is located just one corner far away. The store is very busy, full of all things you can imagine and confusing. These words are, as far as I have experienced until now, typical Indian adjectives. (Some more adjectives are friendly, hospitable, sociable, interested and interesting, colorful and many more. I can’t count them.) Very confused about how to pay and where and where to go, Corinne and Pinky brought me back to the Guest House, where I tried to realize what I’ve experienced during only one day.

The second day Govind told us that Sambhali Trust had capacities for more girls to join in. Thus we decided to split up into two groups and visit some areas of Jodhpur. There we planned to inform the families (but in fact it was especially the mothers we talked to) about the project and that their daughters could be given the possibility to take part in it. This was the time I got to know some more, sad Indian adjectives: poor and dirty. Not only the streets and the houses (from the outside) but also the people living there weren’t clean at all but dirty and come down. We were always surrounded by lots of children that wanted to speak to us. But indeed their only English word was “hello” so our conversation was restricted to say hello all the time. As nobody could understand English there, three girls of the project spoke to the mothers and daughters, Pinky who can speak some Hindi tried to help them and I stood around, smiled and said hello to all the small boys and girls that seemed to be very attracted by my white skin. It was a very strange, at the first moment shocking experience for me, although I’ve read a lot about the poverty, the smell and the dirt in many parts of India. But this never prepares you for seeing, smelling and feeling it in reality.

But above all, this was the moment I began to realize what the project offers to our girls, how much it helped and is still helping them. If it is only the very simple fact that they keep clean. (As Govind told us later the girls themselves were shocked to see their “brothers and sisters” in these surroundings!) Furthermore I experienced them much happier, less shy and much more aware of themselves and their capabilities than nearly all of the visited women.

In the next month there is a Health Camp taking place for the girls, where they will learn once more a lot about hygiene, nutrition or sex education. I am very looking forward to these days. But even more I am excited about my soon starting English lessons. I hope I am able to help the girls a little bit. And I hope that I will manage it in the way that I am content with myself.