Today we headed back to Sulabh to hear more about the Sanitation Club. We sat down with the coordinators as well as some volunteer students to talk more about the program. They noted that with increased presence of toilets in public places, schools, and even homes came the need for upkeep of those toilets. They stated that many people grew up with the notion that toilets are gross and not to be touched or never had toilets to begin with so upkeep of them was not importatnt to them. The sanitation club works on education of toilet upkeep and the young girls in the club help promote sanitation of the restrooms to their local schools and in their homes. One of the girls said her favorite part of the program was learning how to “keep all the toilets clean.” Otherwise, the club also hopes to promote sanitary practices during times of menstruation. As noted in a previous post the school makes sanitary napkins for dispense. The girls come as volunteers to create the napkins and also volunteer to do outreach at many different locations in India as well as across the globe. They are headed to Nepal in May to do some outreach there. When they talk about sanitary napkins or other means to keep sanitary during menstruation. They install their machines and make sure that the local electrician or janitor at the school is able to maintain it if it breaks down or there are problems. One of the important components to this program is peer to peer interaction. The coordinator noted that when he advises or teaches he feels as if there is not much engagement. He reported that this all changes when he has the young girls leading the way and teaching their peers. In all they have great success in India and abroad. He has found that he has had to turn down some locations wanting Sulabh Sanitation Club to come due to being stretched too thin. He envisions that in the future India will have great sanitary measures and hopes that there are more open discussions on menstruation. He wants to normalize the process for both men and women in the community. In all he hopes the future is bright and that creative minds continue to come to India and stay to work with their communities. He noted, “How crazy is it that we can put a shuttle in space, but not every home or school has a clean and functioning toilet in India.” I think we all had a great time talking with them and definitely realized our privilege as Americans. We discussed a good deal on finding your social calling and being willing to sacrifice some of the luxuries of life to be happy in your work.
Back to the school!
Sulabh toilets.
Next we headed to a slum in an area near all the Embassy’s in Delhi. Driving up to slum there were beautiful trees and buildings, then one turn down the road and we were at the entrance. There were toilets outside but the first thing our guide, Sanjay, told us to note was all the open defecation. He reported that even with the bathrooms so close, people in the slum still choose to openly defecate. It shows that even with good intentions does not come a change in behavior. We started our walk through the colorful and vibrant slum with people everywhere. Many kids came up to walk with us and the people on the side of the street smiled at us. The roads were thin with sewage and trash lining the sides. We stopped at the Sulabh toilet for men and women in the middle of the slum. Sanjay told us that they are cleaned and maintained by Sulabh employees. He noted however, that during the night it is sometimes unsafe for women to go to the bathroom. We then ended at a railroad station where everyone throws their waste. It was astronomical to see how much trash was everywhere. Leaving the slum I think we all had confusion processing what we just saw. There was poverty and pollution but also happiness and community. Everyone seemed to know each other and most had a smile on their face as we passed. The children were giggling everywhere and playing games and enjoying each other’s company. It is a memory I think all of us will bring back to the states.
We ended the day with a final recap of our first week here (crazy to think it has been a week already!). We talked with our coordinators on our feelings, experiences, and excitement for the week ahead. Things we have learned:
1. The air pollution and noise pollution are still present but become more normal after a week.
2. Walking through crazy traffic isn’t so bad if you just stick up your hand and have faith.
3. Bucket showers can be quite enjoyable as long as you have enough water.
4. Hand washing your clothes isn’t hard but getting them to air dry takes time.
5. Hearing people’s stories is our favorite thing, and talking with local people inspires us each day.
6. Be creative and follow your social calling, it will pay you more than any salary will.
We are so excited to see what next week holds for us!
Quote from Sulabh: “Instead of complaining about the darkness light your own candle.”
Sorry not many pictures today! Hopefully a video of the first week coming soon.
-Stephanie