Village Trip

The day after the visit to the HIV orphanage, we were taken on our rural exposure trip to the Yellachickammanahalli village.   Again my expectations were far worse than reality.

We first stopped at the village school to meet the children. We brought them art supplies and jump ropes as well and they were just as excited as the kids the day before. The classroom was very small and the tables and stools were all on the floor. The children did not speak much English at all, but we were still able to communicate through smiles and play.

We then took a tour of the village where the homes were. The homes were actually all concrete built and well kept. In fact the entire village was very clean, even with the dirt floors, and water buffalo and cows hanging out everywhere. Inside the homes there was one big room, where mats would be laid out for everyone to sleep on during the night. We sat in there and had a chance to talk with some of the local women. Throughout our conversation we asked the women if they had ever been to the city, in which case the majority had not, but honestly, they didn’t care to. The one woman who had been to the city was not impressed. She thought it was too busy and crowded.  

That’s when it hit me- the people in the village actually like living in the village. Here I am having pity on these “poor people who barely have electricity or a bed to sleep on”, when really I am just being ignorant. They are truly happy with their lifestyles and simplicity. They have close relationships and as one lady said- whenever they are bored they just walk next door and visit with each other. Who am I to feel sorry for them? They have a way of life that is working for them; a way I think we could all afford to learn from. 

They were pretending the bricks were cars