India... The Never ending story.

For all bad things must come some good, right? I know my last blog was the harsh reality of this place. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. There is hope. And some people have already put in hard work and donated to this charity to provide for these girls. One man, the main founder of this non profit, is Mark Finelli. He has put this foundation together to start the production of a new building. A fresh start. It has come to my knowledge that a struggle for the Mercy Home is the security. A girl a few years back, one girl who was mute and shy left at some point during the day. With only seven Sisters and some gone from time to time they had no idea how or when or where she went. They involved the police and a search took place, but she was no where to be found. The concern was that she had no way to communicate. Not for food or water or for her return. And sadly she was found a month later dead, only to be recognized by her night gown. The new building is in the shape of an octagon with a court yard in the center and only two ways in or out. Here the girls with have a cleaner, safer, set up to call home.



The past few days we have been having some trouble with a few of the girls fighting. Battles. Hitting and scratching then bleeding and crying. You can imagine with 70 girls in one area that this will happen. However, there is one staff nurse and she took four girls to the hospital tonight as a result. Not only because of the injuries but because of the new angry behavior. Jency is one of the issues. She is about 15 years old and has become one stuck to my hip. She loves to pull on our dresses or try to pull off my necklace. Her behavior is not too much different from a three or four year old. She can speak some and she has learned to word "no" as I am constantly battling with what trouble she is causing next. Sadly she has no family. They are considered gypsies and the Sisters have no recollection of their names or how to contact them. They do not even have a date of birth for her. Essentially she is alone. I would take her if I could.



There is one girl if I could put in my pocket or luggage I would in a second. Meet Maya or how they spell it here Maiye. I absolutely adore her. She is a dancing queen and is usually the leader of the dance group they have for different shows. The girls have visiting groups of students or religious festivals where they need to perform a routine. And Maya is in the front row. Mostly all she does is hold pom-poms and march to the one song they have on tape "Barbie Girl". Yes I almost dropped to the floor laughing when I saw this the first time. But she lights up the stage. Almost a one man show as the rest of the girls just follow what she does. But her smile is so beautiful. She too has no family. She was found by a police officer sleeping in a Hindu Temple. They have no information for her what so ever. They did try to put Maya into school as she seems so bright, however she was remembering nothing. They think she is around 16 years old and when and if I can get enough money, I will find her the place that can help her. She generally just wants to sit right next to me and be a little girl. It could break my heart to leave her. Sigh.



Father Francis takes Susan and I to mass with him often. Father runs six villages here and attending mass with him is similar to what I imagine it's like to be a movie star. At first we are stared at, mostly because we are white and some have never seen a white person before. But then Father welcome's us for coming to India instead of some remote island for vacation. He explains what we are doing here and that the people should learn from us and try to get more educated and help others in need. Unfortunately most of them are below poverty levels and their living is not much different from the girls. The people have a strong faith. Most of India is Hindu but where we are in the south they have a strong Catholic community. The Indian's are very warm people. At first I was scared at how they would react to us. But they are some of the kindest people I have ever met. After the mass ends Father tells them it's ok to talk to us and to shake our hands as we don't bite. The children are funny and speak in some English. Grabbing our hands and saying "I am black and you are white". Yes I am aware of this I explain:) The adults, mostly the elders kiss our hands and pinch our cheeks. Maybe we bring them joy or hope I'm not sure, but it feels like we make their day by just existing. I wish for them too. I pray for their lives. For their happiness. It feels similar to the Mercy Home. I’m Helpless. And sadly in India it seems like the never ending story.



Please replace one coffee or McDonald's run for a $5 dollar donation. Thanksgiving is coming. Be thankful you can spare 5 dollars for someone in the world to eat tomorrow! Thank you for all of your kind words and support. It helps me so much.