Deepa's story-
She comes from a small village north of Bangalore. Her father committed suicide when she was nine. If the disgrace was not enough, the village wouldn't give the body to her family for a proper burial. They asked for 2500 rupees, for which her mother sold her bangles and valuables. Deepa, her sister and two brothers all had to work and go to the woods to collect firewood for boiling water and cooking. The woods are not safe for a young girl. Not being able to support all four children, her mother sent Deepa to to live with her aunt and four other children in a tiny apartment in Bangalore. Her aunt immediately put Deepa to work, Supriya hired her as a part time house keeper. Deepa was thin and bathed once a week. After some time, Supriya decided to have Deepa sleep at her house, and arranged that as her full time residency with the aunt. Deepa still visits her aunt once a week or more, baths and eats three meals every day, picks up English and Hindi (she only knew how to speak Kanada) and is almost a sister to 2 1/2 year old Anu. She sleeps on the floor, but so does Supriya and her husband while Belinda and I are here. Does this sound like a story supporting the caste divided poverty in India? I think it can be interpreted either way. Traditions and customs will be different from our own. As long as a person is treated humanely, honestly, and is offered an opportunity for choice and education, I think it has to be accepted.
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Bangalore is a city of color and dust. Incense and sewage. Valentine's Day and Pujah*.
*prayer to the gods
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email to my fellow IHPers:
I dug up an anthill once & my friend told me the ant gods would come
to get me in my dreams & I said I didn't believe him, but later that
night I went down & tried to put the anthill back together & I even
added some lettuce & mashed potatoes & pork chop from dinner in case
they'd been too busy to eat & I never heard from the ant gods, so I
figure it worked out. -B.A.

We've been learning about how much shit moderization has done to the
world. I hope that we do not take any guilt upon ourselves, and
instead be happy with what we can and are doing, which is learning and
being the sharing our beauty with a world far from home. It's ok if
it's only lettuce and mashed potatoes and pork, or rather a
conversation and a smile. Keep it up beautiful people.
love, Sasha
ps-I don't think India is an anthill, let me know if you find a better metaphor.