I have a free ticket to go anywhere I want international, thank you to air miles. Since I would be going alone, I wanted to do something meaningful and worthwhile of my time.
So, 2 weeks ago I called a volunteer company that I did a little research on browsing thru the Internet. I fell in love with a Women's Empowerment Project in India. A tiny excerpt from their posting said "The women's support project in India aims to help destitute women's groups (comprised of both young girls and adult women) – helping them rebuild their self esteem in hopes of leading a productive life with their heads held high."
This I can do, I thought to myself and inside my heart I knew they'd help me learn a little more about myself as well. I also would be writing proposals for funding and teaching English.
I spoke to their company office in the US (Dallas) about doing a beauty photoshoot similar in concept to the battered womens' shelter project i did recently and I was told to proceed with flying colors. This would be great for their self esteem and not to mention how amazing their beauty would be captured in the images. So for the last few days, I've been on a high. If you know me, you know I love to photograph the Indian culture and then add the fact that I would get to go to their country? Wow.
I got my ticket for one month departing on the 28th of this month, visa stamp and even the required shots and medicine. Mike has been supportive with the idea and is excited for me.
Now: Are you ready for this? I found out a few hours ago that the Womens Project will no longer be available in Delhi where I'm flying in!!! WHAT?! The rep in India emailed me and said if I really wanted to do a Womens Project I'd have to fly into Bangalore, which by the way is on the opposite end of the country and my ticket is set for Delhi. No can do.
I'm irritated beyond belief. I already have a ticket and I leave in less than 2 weeks. Why wasn't this communicated to their Dallas office I've been dealing with? Talk about bad communication!
This is the kicker: they need me in a young girls orphanage home. Orphanage?? Me, Ruby that has no children. I don't know how I feel about this. I know I said I wanted to do something meaningful, but I wasn't referring to this type of work.
I certainly don't want to sound like a jerk. It's actually quite the opposite and I'm going to let you into my personal life: I've been feeling quite maternal lately and my dear sweet husband isn't on the same page with the issue at this time.
So with that being said, me working inside an orphanage is NOT a good idea. Get my drift? And going for one month is enough time to create some type of attachment to a little rugrat. Do you really think it's going to be easy for me to leave young orphans at the end? I can tell you right now, I'm going to struggle. I spoke to a couple of close people and I think I've calmed down now.
So wish me luck because I know I'll come back with some great pictures of little people and share some sweet stories too.
I will try to do a weekly travel journal on this blog from Delhi if I can get to an internet cafe which I was told abound in India.
And to end this long post; one thing that made me even more nervous than the word Orphanage on the reps email: 'bring mosquito net during this monsoon season in India.'
This is going to be a wild adventure for an american girl.
23 comments:
your stories are so funny. good luck! I can't wait to see the photos!
Ruby,
Wow. I am speechless. I know that no matter what happens in India...it will be amazing. This orphanage is the right place for you at this time. If you treat these children half as good as you do mine, they will all fall in love with you and you will be spot of sunshine in their lives!
I have always wanted to go to India, ever since I read the City of Joy by Dominique La Pierre and spoken oft times with many indians whom I have come to know. I love the food, but not their politics! I am so proud for you Ruby, if I wasn't so busy I might have even considered going and meeting up for a shoot somewhere.
Buy tissues when you arrive. I have lived in a third world country for two years and know intimately of the smells, the mass of humanity and the heat. Yet through all of that sensory overload, is the people. Ahh the people. They will pull at your heartstrings and if you do venture to the orphanage, it may even change your life. I believe that the western world often shields us from the life that most of the world lives and their conditions. I am SO envious.
Thank you for sharing your self in this post. As you know I do it often on my blog, because I want to do as Sir Tim Rice wrote for Elton in the Lion King's Circle of Life,
From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There's more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round
It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life
Enjoy the journey.
Awesome, I am so proud of you Ruby!
Ruby,
First, I want to thank you for your wonderful comment on my blog, and the words of incouragement are so appreciated. (More than you know).
Your amazing and your trip to India is going to find you at a new level of success in your life, a new lesson God wants to share with you to share with us. I can't wait to see all your pictures and read all your STORIES!!! A Month is a long time!!! Hope you find a cafe!
Wow, Ruby!!!! First of all - again, I am soooo proud to know you. You are such a wonderful soul and I'm so glad our paths crossed via this crazy internet.
Second, I could totally feel your emotions in your writing. I feel for you but I also believe that EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON. I know this happened for a reason for you - not sure what the outcome is going to be, but I know it will be amazing in some way.
I had a friend who was trying to get pregnant for a long time and couldn't. She was very upset and frustrated. I told her that sometimes I think that God saves those who can't conceive for those who TRULY need a WONDERFUL mother. Those that haven't been blessed with those mothers will need those like my friend who LONG to be a mother. She has since been blessed with a beautiful baby girl through adoption - that looks almost EXACTLY like her. I'm telling you, God works in mysterious ways and I believe you are being sent there because some little one is going to need the love that you are ready to give - even if you're giving them that love just for a month, it will affect their life in a positive way. I think it's going to be wonderful.
So proud and excited for you, Ruby!! I can't wait to hear all about your adventure!
you're such an awesome writer ruby! hope you have a blessed and safe trip! can't wait for all your incredible images!!!
Welcome to India. My wife was born there and I have gotten to know the culture (and their communication skills) well for the last 15 years. It can be a frustrating experience.
But with that said, it is an amazing place. I think you will find that you go with one idea in mind and are able to see 20 different ones in the first 5 minutes you are in country.
Simialr to Criag, I have lived abroud in a desilote place for years. It can be hard and invigorating at the same time. Just keep an open mind and let it all soak in.
If you are able to do that, it will change you forever
What an inspiration you are! I hopt you have an amazing time. Can't wait to read your updates on your trip. Be safe!
Hi Ruby, have an amazing trip to India, I look forward to seeing your photos!
xx
Wow, girl! This will be an amazing experience for you! I loved reading your post! I'm so proud of you!
WOW what a story to tell. I'm so excited for you and the adventure that waits for you in India. I can't wait to read more about this and see all the beautiful pictures that you will bring back. Be Safe. //enoch
I'm sure it will be amazing! My sister is very ..lets say... city girl hoyty toity and she went to Africa to a house for kids. She had to have the mosquito nets too. YOu'll do great and I'm sure it will be an amazing experience, I'm jealous, excited for you, I hope to do it one day.
ANd you're great with my rugrats, I know you'll be with theirs too :)
WHAT?!?!!? how is it possible that you have a new crazy adventure every time i come on your blog!
i know you are freaking out, but come on, how many people EVER get an opportunity like this...orphanage or not...this is a chance of a lifetime and i'm not going to lie...i'm way jealous.
SOOOO excited to hear how this goes...
Your passport is in better condition than mine :) Mine's all battered and dog-eared to the extent that you can't even tell which country it belongs to..
Safe travels! and don't forget the toothbrush.
congrats on your over the bigggggg pond trip. it speaks well of your caractor in the choice that you made as to where to go. i know that you took your camera, waiting to c your fotogs. "A MOMENT IN TIME":)
hello Ruby, i feel where you are coming from. i met a wonderful couple from Inda. they are Christian missionaries and come to the US to raise money to take back to thier imparvished nation. Beatiful people! When Cathy and I move back home from Florida, I lost all contact with them. I understand that once our (Free Will Baptist) missionary Mr. Hannah, after over 50 years of service is over, the doors will be closed via the Indian Government.
As for the "no children situation", I understand your greff. Cathy and I have been blissfully wed for 30 year with "little dean jr:) however, GOD has blessed us with the Christian leadership in the lives of many teenagers.
My nephew, MARK, had a tuff time in his pre-teen years. God aloowed him to work with me during the summer months. He almost lived with us. He is now a grown man married to a wonderful youhg lady. See is soooo much life my bride, Cathy. We now work at the same place and people that are in the know, comment on his awesome character. So enjoy your trip,on my bday, take some commfort in knowing that GOD never makes a mistake. Hold on to what ever or who ever HE puts into your path. Understand that you can infulence someones life in such a positive way. It is hard to see when you are young, but as you grow older things are put into a more perspective light. I'm starting to sound like DR. Phil:) I don't know you personally, but in following you in your blog, you are one of two types of people, dead on true or should be in Holly Wood.
I am atisipating an awesome story to build in the weeks to come. Take a deep breath, know things happen for a reason and do your best to find out what that something is. "please let me know:)" "A MOMENT IN TIME"
hey lady, me again, I posted and then proof read. sorry for the typeos. I left out the fact that God never blesssed us with a Dean Jr. As you can see typing and spelling are not my strong points:)
Thank you each and every one. Your words and support all mean so much. YOu'll never know.
Ruby, Ruby, Ruby...
I am so proud of you. Having adopted a child I can tell you that I would give my left ear to go there and work with you. Though I would be afraid I would want to bring each one home with me. Let me know if there's a little bitty one that is waiting on me to pick her up. Okay?
And don't be mad I haven't commented lately. I am in summer school OVERLOAD and I amd doing good to remember to feed my child. Seriously.
I always love hearing from you though...Ruby Ro-jo. That's what I think of you. "Red Hot Ruby".
Love to you.
Ruby!! what an amazing opportunity! wow! being an adoptive mommy, i can tell you that i would love, love, love, to go with you! Girl, you never know... God has you going there for a reason, I don't believe in coincidences I believe that God has ordained you to go for such a time as this! I am praying for you and wow!!! what an awesome opportunity, check out the adoption process for me we would love to adopt again!!
Ruby you are an amazing person. This sounds like it's going to be a life changing event. I can't wait to hear all about it. Be safe and find comfort in knowing that by the end of this journey you can say that you have truly LIVED.
I'm so excited!!! I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back. Have an amazing time and I'm guessing you may see adoption in a whole new light after this experience. :)
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