Maitri fighting against corruption

Vande Mataram!!!

As Maitri interns, we had the incredible opportunity of attending the demonstrations at India Gate on Wednesday evening. On Monday, August 16, Anna Hazarre, an Indian politician, began an indefinite hunger strike after the anti-corruption Lokpal bill was not passed in the Indian government by his August 15 deadline. Anna Hazarre is considered a Ghandian and he has proclaimed intentions for a second war for independence (since the war for independence in 1947). He is currently in jail, arrested for not agreeing to a permit that was issued to him by the police, but the people are still taking a stand against corruption (check out an article here at India Live).

Jolley Sir, one of Maitri's bosses, took us to the Delhi gate at about 4:30 on Wednesday evening. What a site to see! There were thousands of people there. We came to find out that thousands more would arrive around 7:00 pm for the evening candle ceremony by the gate. We walked around Rajpath, just near the India gate, with the crowds of people chanting "Vande Mataram!" and "Long live Anna Hazarre!" Signs of anti-corruption and freedom were everywhere. We quickly soaked in the excitement of the people and shared our passion for the cause as we then began to chant "Vande Matarum!" Mr. Jolly arranged a few interviews for all of the interns. He stopped India Live and Channel 9, as well as a few other stations, to have a little chat with the interns about the role of these demonstrations in democratic change, our thoughts on Anna Hazarre, etc. We all spoke of the courage of this strong leader to stir so much excitement about an important cause. We spoke of the beauty of this event, in particular, because it came about by the will of the people, their desire for change - they did not attend the protests because they were being paid or bribed. It was their choice. 

And a special thanks to Jolley Sir for cramming us all into his car, feeding us snacks at the Bikaner House, and buying us water and lassi and then seeing us home safely! And to our beautiful friend, Anita for always looking out for us! What a splendid evening as we fight, as members of Maitri, against corruption here in India.

Intern, Elisabeth Jessop, interviewing with Channel 9

Intern, Marta Matynia interviewing with Live India!

Veronique, Sarah, Mr. Jolley, Marta, and Elisabeth

Random Indian girl; Sarah Patton (Intern, USA); Veronique Jorna (Intern, Netherlands); Anita Gupta (Maitri Office); Elisabeth Jessop (Intern, USA); Mr. Jolley Sir (Maitri Office); Mr. Jolley's wife

Mr. Jolley (left) and Elisabeth Jessop (middle) in another interview with a local Indian newspaper

Candlelight ceremonies

Health Camp

This morning we had a chance to visit another project of Maitri's, Project Awaaz (voice). Awaaz brings health services and awareness, on issues such as HIV, TB, STIs, etc, to bike rickshaw pullers. The slum, which is home to approximately 2,000 rickshaw pullers and some of their family members, is located between two very none-telling streets, that host modern looking hotels, private doctors offices, posh shops. But turn down one discrete little road and suddenly you are in a huge open area, filled with people, rickshaws, tents. It was a whole working little community with a barber shop, tailor, one source of running water for over 2,000 people, little snack shops, fruit and veggie wallas (sellers).

The reason Maitri runs a health camp here is because most of these men are migrant works. While some families do live in this slum, most men come from villages where their families--wives and children, parents, etc--still live. As a migrant population they have a greater propensity toward behaviors like drug use and visiting sex workers, thus they run a higher risk for contracting HIV and STIs. The goal is awareness and testing. Condoms are given out, HIV testing is done, medications for simple ailments such as colds and the flu are provided and if more serious medical attention is needed Maitri will attempt to facilitate it.

The rickshaw slum.

The people.

At first I felt terrible about taking pictures. Wondering what right I had as a comfortable, privileged foreigner to tromp into their neighborhood to collect photos. But most of them were so into it! A group of young men followed our little group from the office around, telling us to take a picture of them, of her, of these kids, of this women. We always asked the people we were photographing, most agreed, but so often a shy women would blush and shake her head, so we didn't push it. Most of the kids were hesitant at first, but you could see behind their polite reservation that they were eager for the excitement and attention.

The smoking man above demanded we take his photo.

At the health clinic, the staff kept giving us various refreshments. First water, then soda, the a bag of peanuts. My goodness, we were just fine! Sometimes guest/foreigner privilege bothers me. Since I don't drink soda a prompted the little boy in blue and black to take it. The peanuts I have the stunning girl in orange. I love her hair and her smile, she exuded confidence and seemed to be there to reassure the little ones.

The heath clinic.

Highlight of Our Work Day

Pictures of the kids again!
They never get tired of pictures and they have truly captured my heart.
Thinking about leaving and never seeing them again is way too painful.

So for now we relish in the good times.

Oh and we have your much awaited Hokie Pokie video.
(Which I cannot believe I am actually putting on the internet for the world to see...its for the kids. I need to share their happiness. It'll make the world a little better of a place even if it has to suffer through me leading the Hokie Pokie).

My BFFs: (L-R) Gita, her older sister Laxmi, and Varsha

The guy in the middle is another volunteer teacher, I will get his name down tomorrow!

And yes, the Hokie Pokie.

Eva's Journey to Speaking Hindi PART II

Good morning/good evening class! lol

I am happy to announce that I have moved from single words to small phrases... On the flip side, I am embarrassed to share that my Hindi is still BROKEN and in dire need of a linguistic mechanic. Here is what I have learned since my last post:

• dadaji- paternal grandfather
• dadiji- paternal grandmother
• naniji- maternal grandmother
• nanaji- maternal grandfather
• chalo!- You go!
• ou!- Come!
• kripya- please
• ghitdi (jeetdee)- demanding... this is often how Laxmi refers to her daughter Geeta lol
• me apse pyiar bohot car du- I love you very much
• tom paghal ho- you are mad/crazy!
• apkaise pasan karte ho _____?- do you like _____?
• paghal- crazy
• gussa- angry
• agla- next
• mera favorite - my favorite
• apka favorite _____ kya he?- What is your favorite _______?
• tora, tora- little little (I say "tora tora Hindi. English me")
• mera nehi- not me
• chaldhi, chaldhi- hurry, hurry!

For the next phrases and words I need to give you some context. Today during class, Poonam and Varsha insisted that I take pictures. My first response was:

• last me- at the end (of class)

Then, they began to pout, slid their thumb forward from their chin, and said:

• katti- I am 'breaking friendship with you'

I immediately cracked up remembering the Mexican cortala ritual. For those of you unfamiliar with the tradition, it's a 'breaking friendship' ritual wherein your index fingers face each other and the person who is being 'cut', proceeds to sever the connecting fingers with her index finger, and thereby agrees to end the friendship. This is very common among children, although I have known some adults to engage in such behavior. haha

Lastly, they said:

• baat nehi carengue- I am not speaking to you!

After some tickling and cheek pinching, this is how the argument ended...

by giving in and taking pictures. lol


That concludes today's lesson... Sorry that my progress has been as slow as atole.

TSF Workshop on Gender Equality and Human Rights in the HIV Reponse

This week Maitri hosted a four day workshop on Advancing Gender Equality and Human Rights in the HIV Response, held by TSF (Technical Support Facility) South Asia, a group who is mandated to help counties implement national HIV plans by connecting expert consultants to programs who need them. This workshop was held to make consultants aware of the gender equality and human rights aspects of HIV prevention, treatment, care and de-stigmatization and discrimination.In addition to the intellectual stimulation, we finally had the chance to navigate a day in a flowing silk sari (which is difficult).

Our job was to aid the Rapiture, the sweet and soft-spoken Suraka, take notes on all of the presentations. It was four days of intense note taking. Keeping my in shape for school.

I'll start off by posting a ton of pictures for those who are only interested in the visual and social excitement of the workshop, then I will publish another post where nerd out by explaining and reflecting on some of the ideas that were discussed.
Lighting of candles to begin the workshop.













(R-L) Dr. Joe Thomas, the TSF Director and Maitri board member; Dr. Hashim Mohammad, one of two representatives from Afghanistan; and representatives from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.










(R-L) Meena, the brilliant and witty facilitator; Agniva, one of the outgoing experts on the transgendered (TG) experience; and the elegant Swastika, TG activist from Nepal.





Tripti Tandon, Lawyer for India's Lawyer's Collective, HIV Unit.












The bright, friendly and thoughtful Prabodh Devkota.















Socializing!

(R-L, clockwise) Anita in the pale pink, Priyanka, Yvette and Me sitting among the neat little zen-like gardens at the place where the workshop was held.










(R-L) Priyanka and Anita. Our most amazing, fantastic, hard-working, fun-loving, gracious, sweet co-workers.
Love love love them.










Esther, quiet Esther, another sweet Maitri Intern
and Yvette enjoying our twice daily tea/coffee time. Best part of the day.











Yvette and I with Rachel Odede, Regional HIV/AIDS adviser for UNICEF ROSA.
Wow! This women not only has high standing, but she has high standards and a passionate, caring persona. She fights for the children of the world.








Mostly Everyone.