I think that many of the foreigners in Mysore would agree that without snow (if you're used to that sort of thing), and lights, and a constant barrage of holiday music emanating from the radio; without family all around and the smell of gingerbread or pine needles, it can be difficult to get into the Christmas (or Channukah or Kwanza) spirit. I know that Bart and I have found this to be true during the past week, hardly even realizing that Christmas eve was approaching before it was already upon us! So now, here we are on the day before Christmas, just returned from Bart's epic 12 dosa breakfast, and sitting in our living room with the front door wide open so we can listen to the breeze rustling the palm trees. It's a rough way to spend a morning, let me say. ;)
We know that being apart from family and friends for the holidays is a challenge. It brings up a lot of emotion for everyone, us included, and we wanted you to know that we have been thinking of all of you during these past few days. Though we are missing each other, I know that we all understand that this is only a temporary separation, and that we are all so lucky to have one another as constants in our lives. I know I speak for Bart as well, when I say that our lives would not be the same without you.
Usually, around this time, we're piling gifts under our tree and mailing off packages; or we're packing the car and the dog and heading out to visit all the people we love – off to see all of you. But since that isn't possible this year, we wanted to tell you what we have been doing to celebrate the season. Instead of gifts under the tree this year, which we would normally be wrapping right now, Bart and I decided that since we all have so much to be grateful for already, we wanted to take the opportunity that spending Christmas in India has offered us and share our resources. We decided to make a donation of the money that we would normally use for presents and paper and all the other Christmas goodies and offer it to a local organization where we felt it could be well used. After speaking to some other yoga students and knowledgeable friends, our organization of choice was Odanadi, an operation founded in Mysore that rescues and houses children who are being, or are at high risk of being, trafficked for either underage slave labour or sexual exploitation. This practice is still in full throttle in countries like India, and though Odanadi generally deals only with human trafficking cases that take place in the state of Karnataka, it currently houses about 70 girls and 12 boys. The goal of Odanadi is to provide refuge for these children so that they can begin to recover from the trauma they've experienced and prepare to be reintegrated into society as productive adults. Odanadi works to not only ensure that these children have adequate food, shelter and clothing, but also helps them to learn life skills as well as receive an education. They've had several college graduates including a lawyer and a state politician who now works to help stop these types of crimes against humanity.
We truly feel that Odanadi is deserving of any help we can provide and so that is why we decided to make our donation to them. In addition, we've been able to go there several times, interact with the staff and children and generally see how the operation works. It's so wonderful to have the chance to see how these kids are directly benefiting from the work of the organization, and to be able to have a hands on role in that work! We've participated in a Mehndi Magic afternoon where we were given henna tattoos and just yesterday we spent the evening making Christmas decorations with the children. They have so much fun with these types of activities – and so do we!!
It's so important to both Bart and I to try to keep in mind how fortunate we are – how much bounty we have, both in terms of our home and belongings and the people who fill our lives – and when we see how far a single dollar can go in India, we know that this money can really make a difference for these kids. In fact, we've been told that our donation will go directly to building a better home for the boys rescued by Odanadi, as they currently have to be housed in small huts due to lack of resources. Based on what one of the founders told us, the money that we've donated could be used to by the concrete for the entire home twice over. AMAZING!!!
Though we physically made this donation, the gratitude and credit here is really due to all of you for your willingness to support us in making it happen. We hope that as you read this blog post and look at the photos of all the kids you're helping that it will be just as exciting as any gift we could have gotten you. We hope that you will see the joy, the sweetness, and the potential that we've been able to see first hand in these kids, and we hope that their bright and beautiful smiles will warm your hearts, no matter the weather outside.
Merry Christmas and much love to all of you. Thank you so much for your part in making this possible.
Usually, around this time, we're piling gifts under our tree and mailing off packages; or we're packing the car and the dog and heading out to visit all the people we love – off to see all of you. But since that isn't possible this year, we wanted to tell you what we have been doing to celebrate the season. Instead of gifts under the tree this year, which we would normally be wrapping right now, Bart and I decided that since we all have so much to be grateful for already, we wanted to take the opportunity that spending Christmas in India has offered us and share our resources. We decided to make a donation of the money that we would normally use for presents and paper and all the other Christmas goodies and offer it to a local organization where we felt it could be well used. After speaking to some other yoga students and knowledgeable friends, our organization of choice was Odanadi, an operation founded in Mysore that rescues and houses children who are being, or are at high risk of being, trafficked for either underage slave labour or sexual exploitation. This practice is still in full throttle in countries like India, and though Odanadi generally deals only with human trafficking cases that take place in the state of Karnataka, it currently houses about 70 girls and 12 boys. The goal of Odanadi is to provide refuge for these children so that they can begin to recover from the trauma they've experienced and prepare to be reintegrated into society as productive adults. Odanadi works to not only ensure that these children have adequate food, shelter and clothing, but also helps them to learn life skills as well as receive an education. They've had several college graduates including a lawyer and a state politician who now works to help stop these types of crimes against humanity.
Though we physically made this donation, the gratitude and credit here is really due to all of you for your willingness to support us in making it happen. We hope that as you read this blog post and look at the photos of all the kids you're helping that it will be just as exciting as any gift we could have gotten you. We hope that you will see the joy, the sweetness, and the potential that we've been able to see first hand in these kids, and we hope that their bright and beautiful smiles will warm your hearts, no matter the weather outside.
Merry Christmas and much love to all of you. Thank you so much for your part in making this possible.
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