November 8, 2011

Putting Things Into Perspective

By dwilliams

Yesterday, our team learned about a little thing the locals call IST, or India Standard Time. Basically, it meant that our 10:30am bus ride to the New Delhi airport to make our 2pm flight to Jodhpur didn't happen until 12:30pm.  After arriving at the plane gate right before it closed (and leaving our team member Ali behind briefly due to a ticketing issue), we made it to Jodhpur.  

 

For those of you that don't know, we are staying at the Water Habitat Retreat in Jodhpur.  The grounds and buildings are absolutely breathtaking and everything seemed completely surreal.  Our travel-weary team settled into the dining hall for orientation, unsure of what to expect.  

Orientation began with a video clip of the history of the area we are holding clinic in and the location where we were residing for our trip.  The Water Habitat Retreat is not just a beautiful building.  It is actually a water harvesting hub for the Marwar Desert Area of India (where Jodhpur is located).  The Marwar is also known as "the land of death".  Residents see little to no rain annually.  Women spend over half of their day collecting water, and children are forced to help which leaves no time for education.  The video clip showed various photos of the residents that we will be helping on our mission and the extreme conditions that they live in.  We saw young children scooping filthy water with their hands into a collection bucket and women drawing water from a well that is nearly empty.  Thankfully, the Water Habitat Retreat and their ingenious method of collecting and filtering water is helping to alleviate the stress of living a life with no water for many.  Check out their website at http://waterhabitatretreat.org.

Until seeing the faces of the residents we will be helping give the gift of sight to, our journey has consisted of hotel mixups, bus delays, and long, tiring flights.  The video of the work that the Water Habitat Retreat is doing to help Jodhpur's residents really put into perspective the mission that we are here to accomplish and helped ready our hearts to meet the people of Jodhpur.  Our first mission day is tomorrow, so tune back in for some stories-there are sure to be many!

11 Comments

  1. Paola Cappellari says:

    It is always so inspiring to know that OneSight is there to help! Keep up the fantastic work and know that I am thinking of you as you are on this mission of love. Everyone has the basic right to see!

    Posted on Tue Nov 8, 2011 1:13 pm EST

  2. Marlo & Hannah Burns says:

    Hi Auntie Val!! Miss Hannah misses you and can’t wait until you get back!! Have a great time helping everyone there-what a difference compared to your typical customers that you have here!!
    Lots of Love,
    Mush & Hannah :)

    Posted on Tue Nov 8, 2011 2:04 pm EST

  3. Daniele says:

    Hi Team India4.I hope you all have a lot of satisfaction from this mission,i am sur you will bring a great help to many people, good job at all.A special greeting to my Patrizia

    Posted on Tue Nov 8, 2011 2:19 pm EST

  4. Shaesta says:

    I hope Ali made it to Jodhpur and met up with everyone at the clinic. Please confirm!!! All the best to the Team and keep up the good work :)

    Posted on Tue Nov 8, 2011 5:17 pm EST

  5. Shamim Hussen says:

    I hope Ali you reached Jodhpur safely and are ready to give your dedicated service to Jodhpur residents.Best of Luck and have a wonderful day.

    Posted on Tue Nov 8, 2011 6:19 pm EST

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    Posted on Wed Nov 9, 2011 4:04 am EST

  7. Spencer says:

    So great to hear what’s going on with this mission!
    And to Angela - we miss you and cant wait to hear all about this when your home!  (go Canada!)
    Our thoughts are with you all
    Have a great time, stay safe.

    Posted on Wed Nov 9, 2011 7:05 am EST

  8. JoAnn Monte says:

    Team India and especially Emily,

    Fill your hearts and souls with the work you will be doing, You will soon see this will be the easiest, hardest work you do in the next days.

    Best Wishes and enjoy.

    Posted on Wed Nov 9, 2011 9:16 am EST

  9. Claire says:

    Good mission at all team India 4 and in particular at Patrick Schiffrine our frenchy!!!
    have a good mission !!!
    good lunck
    see you soon**
    Claire

    Posted on Thu Nov 10, 2011 8:30 am EST

  10. Shamim Hussen says:

    Ali, I was very delighted to hear that you made it to Jodphur safely.For all of you India Team 4,remember that this will be the best time in your career.Please cherish the excitement and all that you accomplish together.It surely is a rewarding and satisfying experience indeed.Sweetheart,I am glad that you have amazing group of people to work with and enjoying Indian cusine.Please stay safe.Folks give your utmost best to Jodphur residents. Love ya all.

    Posted on Thu Nov 10, 2011 5:51 pm EST

  11. Shamim Hussen says:

    Hey everyone,It is 11.11.11.the day we get a chance to reboot our lives.You can create a space for something new, commit to a better cause.Your chance to that today is precious.Give your service to the residents of Jodhpur.Way to go India team 4.Ali have a peachy day!!

    Posted on Fri Nov 11, 2011 7:55 am EST

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