International

Namaste! To all friends, family and strangers reading this blog, welcome. My name is James Ikeguchi (that’s me in the picture) and I am so excited to share with you a special part of my incredibly unique experience in India up to now.

I mentally prepared for service aspect of our immersion very much looking forward to serving in Nirmal Hriday (Home for the Dying) in Kalighat. I was aware of some of the hard things I would experience, but I welcomed the challenge and left nothing to regret as I gave this past week my all. Reading about Mother Teresa’s vision as well as volunteer recounts for this home and the work required could not do the first-hand experience justice. Without the work of the wonderful sisters and assistance of volunteers, there is absolutely no doubt that these men and women would suffer and perish in the streets.

I made sure to lend a hand to all jobs in the home, and they all varied in intensity and how hard they were on the soul. The day would start out with laundry, hanging, and drying, but then we would move on to caring for the men and women in ways they needed personally. For example, there were dying elderly men, as well as destitute younger men with severe mental and physical disabilities, who required aid as they walked around the bed area to keep muscles and joints loose. My work in this regard was very distinct: there was a young adult who could not speak fluently, look straight, or walk without a limp. I would hold his hand for balance as we circled the bed area, but after one round, he wanted to rest. This could not be allowed as one round was not enough according to sister Evangelista, so I had to force him to keep walking. It got to the point where I was restraining him from returning to his seat, and he began screaming at me, spitting, and hitting me, and some of the other men began hitting him back out of their own frustrations. The sister eventually restored order, but this was one of the toughest jobs I performed in the moment. Volunteers also had to sometimes hand feed those who could not hold a spoon or focus their gaze on a plate, so I took the initiative in feeding one of the oldest men in the home. This man was frail beyond belief. He looked to weigh around 90 lbs, and I had to pick him up just so I could feed him. Staring directly at me, he could barely chew or swallow and was choking on single grains of rice. I was constantly nervous that he would choke to the point of requiring a Heimlich maneuver or even dying because I did not feed him correctly. I eventually found my niche assisting the doctor in his minor surgeries on patients with wounds I have never seen for myself. One man had broken his left hip and remained in the same spot for over 30 days before a sister found him and brought him to Kalighat. Another was missing the front half of his foot, and I had to lay my body completely over him perpendicular to the operating table just to keep him steady enough for the doctor to cut away rotting flesh in between the stubs of his metatarsals and to apply a disinfectant and gauze because they did not use anesthetics.

Today was a 12 hour travel day from the craziness of Kolkata to Agra to see the magnificent Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. As I endure the 104 degree heat on this long and smelly train ride, I am reflecting deeply on my the meaning of my time at Kalighat on my life moving forward. The work was mentally and physically exhausting, but endlessly rewarding. I am so proud knowing that I contributed positive work to such an important cause with people who devote their lives to the lives of others. Naturally, I wish I could do more for the people at Nirmal Hriday; I wish I could restore their youth and functionality even on a worldwide scale, not only in Kalighat. Considering this frustration, it has been important for me to ground myself in Mother Teresa’s words, which were to: “be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” I might not miss seeing the pain that these beautiful men and women endure everyday, but I already miss the relationships I formed with the dying, destitute and other volunteers. Moving on is a bittersweet feeling, and I aspire to return to Kolkata someday to pick back up where I started. Goodbye for now, Kolkata.

P.S. Special thanks to Mom, Dad, David, and my Grandparents for the support in making it to India. Also, I would like to extend a huge thanks to the University of Portland and the Moreau Center for the opportunity. I owe this experience to you all in full, and I look forward to the day when I can reciprocate. Thank you so so much!

Signing out,

James Ikeguchi

Nick Krautzcheid:

Namaste and hello to friends, family, and fellow Pilots!

Today we leave Kolkata in search of our next adventure. For the most part, “The City of Joy” has treated us well. Each day greets us with new challenges and experiences accompanied with countless laughs, sweat-drenched clothing, and newfound wisdom. We have served with Mother Teresa’s missionaries, eaten exquisite food, and immersed ourselves in the local Indian culture. I am beyond grateful to all of those who made this trip possible – THANK YOU!

In my service with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, I served at a house named Nabo Jibon – meaning “A New Life.” Nabo Jibon houses boys and men ranging from ages 13 to 94. All of these gentlemen live with a mental or physical difference that makes it impossible for them to thrive in society at large. Many of the men cannot walk, others cannot speak, but do not fear, all of these men have found their home. Nabo Jibon is Peter Pan’s “Neverland” for the lost boys of Kolkata – without crocodiles and Captain Hook. In my service, I spent quality time with the residents – feeding them, walking with them hand-in-hand, and taking them for rides in their wheelchairs. It was a blessing to join the brotherhood of these joyous, kind, and hilarious gentlemen while at Nabo Jibon.

Following our service each day, the group set out to absorb as much culture as possible. We have visited monuments, restaurants, temples, and museums; above all, I enjoy engaging with the local people. Although my fellow travelers may laugh, I can confidently say that I have made true friends in India. From sipping Chai behind the counter at a friends shop to finding the best place in Kolkata for a haircut, the local people have brought great joy to my life. I know that when I eventually return to Kolkata, I will have friends already on the ground.
Until next time – God Bless,

Nick Krautzcheid

13 May 2016

Hannah Olney:

Hey! Hannah here on the blog today. This week I’ve been working at Shishu Bhavan, the home for the children, and I’m loving every minute of it! The Indian women we work with speak very little English so communication has been a bit of a struggle at times, but as the week has gone on I have become very confident in what to do. I work with a group of kids about 2.5 – 3.5 years old, and we begin each day with a school lesson. Today the teacher was late, so I started class on my own. The kids are learning a little English, so we practice the alphabet and sing English songs and nursery rhymes. I go around to each kid as we’re singing and clap their hands or move their arms along with the motions, and I love how much we’ve connected in such a short time. They all call me “auntie” and fight over who gets to hold my hand when we walk in for lunch- tomorrow is going to be a rough goodbye!

The main room is filled with cribs from end to end, which is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I love how many kids the sisters are helping, but it makes me sad that these kids are even in this position. Some of them are orphans; others their parents bring in because they can’t take care of them with hopes to one day be reunited; still others are rescued from gangs or the streets. The kids are only there short term, until about age 7 maximum, and then they are adopted, returned to their family, or sent to boarding school to continue their education.

One thing that has really hit me is how lucky I am to be born in the United States. These kids were born in India and because of that fact alone they will have less privilege and opportunity than I do, and I should never take that for granted. Tomorrow afternoon I’ll have to hug those cuties goodbye with no way of communicating that I won’t be back again, but as sad as I am I am so thankful for all I have learned in the short week of working with them.

Tomorrow is our last day in Kolkata, but I’m stoked to see what the rest of the country has to offer!

Cheers,

Hannah

P.S. To all who have supported me on this trip- Mom, Dad, Luke, Seth, Gracie, grandparents, family, and friends- thank you so much for all you have done for me and for continuing to support me as I’m processing everything here! Love you all!

Marie Wilson:

Wednesday May 11

After a day of recovering from eating too much curry (I’m sure you can all use your imagination) I was eager to get back to volunteering at Kalighat. A highlight from today was having one of the women in the home finally recognize me. Everyday during volunteering she sits me down, holds my hands, and will talk to me non-stop in Hindi for at least 15 minutes. All I can do is look into her eyes and show her I am listening…even if I have no idea what she is saying. If there is one thing thus far I can take away from these past few days, it is PERSPECTIVE. Being with these women and assisting them in what may be the final days of their lives is both incredibly difficult and utterly humbling. These women have struggled through so much and are at this house because they have no one else to turn to. It reminds me how miniscule my ‘problems’ and ‘worries’ truly are. How much do things like social media, body image, and getting angry really matter in this world? Love and compassion for others and yourself are what makes your days full of life, not how many likes on Instagram you may get. Overall I am forever mesmerized by the diverse and rich culture that surrounds us. On another note, it is taking all of my will power to not pet and cuddle every stray cat, dog, cow, and goat I come across (don’t worry mom and dad, I promise I haven’t pet a single one!).

P.S. Mom, Dad, Victoria, Carter, Kenny, Grandma, Grandpa…and all family and friends who may be reading this: I love you all so much and can’t wait to see you!

Thao Nguyen:

Sunday was our first day volunteering. Most of us attended mass at Mother Teresa’s house at 6 am and shared a little breakfast including white bread, banana and chai with other volunteers. We then separated ourselves into the house that we chose. I chose Khalighat, which is the house for the dying and destitute along with Morgan, Kylie, Marie, Dave and James. The bus ride here was quite an interesting experience. Best spot was next to the window where you get to observe the busy streets and get to feel the breeze. With the crazy Kolkata traffic, it took about 30-45 minutes to get to the Khalighat.

When we got off the bus, we walked through a market and I have to say, it is one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in India so far. I definitely got a different vibe here compared to the streets near our hotel. Some people described it as more Hindu-all the colorful flowers, spices, statues, etc. Goats and dogs were roaming around the street, food vendors walking around with their carts, the prayers coming out of the temple across from the Khalighat house every hours. It was hectic and busy at all time.

When we arrived at the house, the Sisters divided up the tasks for us. Some helped with laundry, some went up the roof to hang the laundry, few others assisted with cleaning, feeding the patients, messaging them, talked to them. The men and women patients were separated so the male volunteers stayed on the male side and women stayed on the women side. It was for sure an interesting experience and a reality check for me and I cannot wait to share more.

Morgan Wissel:

After 40 hours of traveling, the group was more than excited to leave the airport and hit the ground running in Kolkata. James, our Carpe Diem leader who has been here for several months, greeted us at the airport. He knew we were ready to explore, so we explored the streets near our hotel (PS: for all the parents, our hotel is very safe, with 24-hour security, and full of other Mother’s House volunteers.) Our first hours in Kolkata were full of eye opening encounters. The smells, the street vendors, the beggers, the rikshaws. It was exactly how we had imagined (or at least how I had imagined it). We ate some street food, drank some chai in little clay cups, and visited markets.

It feels like we are the only tourists here right now. And we probably are (just kidding). May is not high-tourist season for Kolkata because of the intense heat and humidity. We stick out, and when we walk down the street, people stare. When we stop, locals love to begin conversations with us, asking us where we are from (they normally guess California or New York), why we are here, and if we like the city. A few of us have actually made a few friends that we talk to each day. The people here are so warm, so happy, and so welcoming. Personally, this warmness and hospitality is something I hope to bring home and share with visitors to our country.

This video was created by Taylor Hendricks and covers our departure from Portland to our arrival in Kolkata, India. Enjoy!