100 rupees
AHEMDABAD, GUJARAT - I'm going back a few weeks...
We spent the last few days in Ahmedabad helping out (aka hanging out) at Seva Cafe, the new phenomenon to hit Ahemdabad. For a descriptionof the place, visit another blog (sameersampat.blogspot.com, nipun.charityfocus.org, or archanapatel.blogspot.com).
There was an informal meeting there, with Nipun and some of the guys and gals from Yuva Ahmedabad. Nipun, being his usual self, was sharingis stories and views on service, and really inspiring these folks. Afterwards, they all stayed at the cafe and had dinner. As they were leaving, one of the young women from Yuva placed 400 rupees in to Nipun's pocket. After explaining to her that donations to Seva Cafe gointo the blank envelope... she said that the 400 rupees was for him, for him to do something nice and to serve others on her behalf. After being taken aback for a moment, Nipun saw the sincerity in her offer and connectivity of it all, said "Thank you" and accepted it.
A few Minutes later, Sameer, Arch, and I were sitting with Nipun at a table at the cafe. He told us what just happenned... and said he's going to spread the "spirit of service" and give each of us 100 rupees (Rupal Soni getting the other 100 rupees). We decided that we'd use the 100 rupees during the following day, and then come back and share our stories. Nipun would then share these stories wit the young woman that first extended her hand, and sparked this.
So, I woke up that Sunday morning, and had my day mentally planned out. First, we would go to Swadhyay. Next, I would get some lunch. Then, I would do some work that I wanted to get done on the internet (putting up photos, planning out our next step, etc.). And, finaly, Iwould roam around and figure out how to use the 100 rps.
After getting off the computer, I started to roam the streets of Ahmedabad. First, I realized the pressure I was feeling. This wasn't just any 100 rps... but this was 100 rps that had a spirit of service behind it, and the faith that it would be used for a good cause. Second, I realized that it's a completely uncomfortable feeling to try to "look for" an act of kindness. Carrying around the 100 rps, I felt that I was looking for someone that was less fortunate that I could help. That was definitely not the feeling I was looking for. Things just didn't feel right, and I was getting tired. I was trying to think of a creative way to spend the money, but the only thing I could think of was finding some street kids, getting them some food, and eating with them. I was thinking too much... if the right moment were to arise, then it would come about naturally. I headed back to the flat (we lived with Dharmesh and Anup... thanks guys), and went to take a nap. To my surprise, Dharmesh, who usually does Indicorps work 24 hours/day was also preparing to take a nap. We talked for a good 30-45 minutes, and I shared the 100 rps story, and went to sleep.
After waking up, it was now around 5 PM.... I sat in silence for awhile, and just tried to clear my head. At this moment, I thought of how my sister told me to go meet Upen. Upen lives in the "tekra" (slum area) near Manav Sadna, and has been a "Manav Sadna kid" for some years now. When my sister was out here working with MS and Indicorps, she grew really close to Upen and their family... and up to this point, I hadn't met them.
So, I got out of the apartment, and walked to the "tekra"... I had never been there alone, although it's not really that big of a deal. When I got there, I met Kiran, another Manav Sadna youth. He said he was heading to MS where he was going to meet some of the other kids, and then they were going for some cultural show rehearsal that they were performing at on the following day. First, he had to go back to his house and wait for his brother... so, I joined him. I asked him if he knew Upen and where he would be. He's like, "You mean Upendra? You know him, too... we've been doing garba together, and he's been helping ut at the cafe, as well." Aa-hah... I did know Upendra, but just never quite made the Upen - Upendra connection. So, I headed over to MS.
All the youths were a little scattered and on edge as they were late to the rehearsal... I decided to go with them. I love dance, and was definitely interested in waching their rehearsal. For a moment, a thought crept in, "but what about finding how to use the 100 rps?" but I was able to dismiss it. I ended up walking part of the way with Upen and Kamlesh, and then taking a rikshaw with them. I told Upen that Ami Kanani was my sister, and he got all excited! He invited me over to his house, and said his parents would love to meet me, etc. It felt good to see the incredible impression that my sister left.
After watching the rehearsal for a while (around 8:30 pm), I decided that I would go back to Seva Cafe and give back my 100 rps to Nipun. I didn't want to force anything. As I was walking in the direction of the cafe, I saw a 8-9 year old girl carrying a baby, begging for money. She appoached me, and I asked, if what she wanted... she could have anything... toys, candy, ice cream, food, etc...... and she said that she wanted food. Soon, streetkids from all over started coming over as they saw me talking to this girl. I asked them all if they wanted to join me for dinner? And, they said "yes".... I asked them where the nearest place was that we could get food from.... and they said "down the street"... so I told them to join me. They asked me to bring the food to the street corner instead, since the restaurant owners don't react to well when the "beggar kids" come into the restaurant. So, I said "okay.. I'll come back, you all wait here..."
I walk down the street, and finally (after about a 15 minute walk) find a "vadaa-pau waalaa". First I ask him how his sandwiches are, etc. He's wondering if I'm going to buy one or not, probably. Then, I ask him for 20! He was a little surprised... and asked me why I wanted 20, so I told him the whole story about the 100 rupees. He gave me a "ketchup" squeeze-bottle, and asked me to bring it back to him.
I get all this food, and a few bottles of water, and head back over to the street corner. I look around, and none of the kids are in sight! For a minute... I'm stnading there with these two bags of food and water, and I'm wondering to myself, "Oh man.. what am I going to do now..." Just then, I see the the first girl and the baby walking towards me, and then ssoon all the other kids are walking toward the street corner as well.
It ended up being 9 kids, and a mother. Perfect, 10 people, two sandwiches for each of them. As I pass out the sandwiches, I make sure they tell me their names first... The mother thanks me and tells me that God will bless me for serving the poor. At this point, I tell her that I'm doing nothing at all! I told them that the money I used to buy the food wasn't even mine, and I told them the story of where the 400 rupees came from. They were a little confused, but appreciative. I told them that I was glad that I just had the opportunity to sit and talk with them. And I told them that I wanted to have some fun... soon, we were singing garbos. We talked about all kinds of things... what they like to do for fun, why they can't go to school, how the "begging business" works (the kids usually have a target for the day that they have to bring back to their parents, auntie, uncle.. whoever is caring for them). We weren't that far from Manav Sadna, so I told them about it and that they should go check it out. One of the older boys (around 12-13) said that he's been there before, and that he makes more money on the street than they give to the "card-makers". Whatever we talked about, he seemed to have a pretty pessimistic attitude. But, I felt a bit of a connection there.
There was this one little girl, Pinky, who completely scarfed down her first sandwich... I was trying to tell her to enjoy it and eat it slower. When everyone finished their first sandwich, I started passing around the second sandwiches. The first one, I gave to Pinky. As I saw her tear open the wrapper.. I stopped her, and said that I was going to give each sandwich to her... and she would pass them out to each of the kids there. After she was done passing out the sandwiches, she wrapped hers back up. I asked her why she was wrapping it up. She said that she was going to take it to her sister. Maybe... the feeling of service was passed on?
As we sat there, I explained to them that I was just a middle person, and that each one should promise me that they'll do an act of service the next day. The 12-13 year old boy replied, "But we are poor, what can we do?" I asked him if he had intellect, he said yes. Then I said, well, then I think you'll be able to figure something out. After a minute or so, he talked about a way that he could help his mom the next day, and asked if that counts..... of course!
Finally, it was time for me to leave... I wanted to get to Seva Cafe before it was too late, and everyone left... but I still had that ketchup squeeze-bottle that I had to deliver back. I looked at the kids, and told them that the ketchup bottle had to go back to the vendor, and asked if anyone would deliver it for me. They all looked at each other, and then at me. They didn't want to do it. They talked about how they still had to beg for money as they hadn't met the quota for the day, and that it was getting late, etc. Making all kinds of excuses. I told them that one person's good deed would be done if they could take it back. Still, no takers. Then, I said I was just going to leave it there, and that I trusted them that they would return it.
As I left, I saw the 12-13 year old boy pick it up... but I'm not sure what he did with it. The next day, I went back to the vendor, and immediately, he asked me, "Where's my bottle?" No one had brought it back... so, I paid him for his lost bottle.
Maybe, the kids didn't have time on that night... and would bring it back the next night?
As forced and generic as the "act of kindness" was... when I was actually in the moment, it felt right. Once the connection with the other human beings begins... all thoughts and hesitations seem to fall away. Ideally, these "acts of kindness" just come natural and are a part of me.... but, for now, they don't seem like they are.... soo... what's the right path? To "force" them until they become more natural and habitual? Or to just wait until the moment is ripe and when it just feels "right"?
Being in Ahmedabad, surounded by Indicorps folks; Manav Sadna folks; friends like Nipun, Arch, etc.; Yuva Ahmedabad folks..... it's a good feeling to be surrounded by such positive vibes... where the spirit of service is contagious.
We spent the last few days in Ahmedabad helping out (aka hanging out) at Seva Cafe, the new phenomenon to hit Ahemdabad. For a descriptionof the place, visit another blog (sameersampat.blogspot.com, nipun.charityfocus.org, or archanapatel.blogspot.com).
There was an informal meeting there, with Nipun and some of the guys and gals from Yuva Ahmedabad. Nipun, being his usual self, was sharingis stories and views on service, and really inspiring these folks. Afterwards, they all stayed at the cafe and had dinner. As they were leaving, one of the young women from Yuva placed 400 rupees in to Nipun's pocket. After explaining to her that donations to Seva Cafe gointo the blank envelope... she said that the 400 rupees was for him, for him to do something nice and to serve others on her behalf. After being taken aback for a moment, Nipun saw the sincerity in her offer and connectivity of it all, said "Thank you" and accepted it.
A few Minutes later, Sameer, Arch, and I were sitting with Nipun at a table at the cafe. He told us what just happenned... and said he's going to spread the "spirit of service" and give each of us 100 rupees (Rupal Soni getting the other 100 rupees). We decided that we'd use the 100 rupees during the following day, and then come back and share our stories. Nipun would then share these stories wit the young woman that first extended her hand, and sparked this.
So, I woke up that Sunday morning, and had my day mentally planned out. First, we would go to Swadhyay. Next, I would get some lunch. Then, I would do some work that I wanted to get done on the internet (putting up photos, planning out our next step, etc.). And, finaly, Iwould roam around and figure out how to use the 100 rps.
After getting off the computer, I started to roam the streets of Ahmedabad. First, I realized the pressure I was feeling. This wasn't just any 100 rps... but this was 100 rps that had a spirit of service behind it, and the faith that it would be used for a good cause. Second, I realized that it's a completely uncomfortable feeling to try to "look for" an act of kindness. Carrying around the 100 rps, I felt that I was looking for someone that was less fortunate that I could help. That was definitely not the feeling I was looking for. Things just didn't feel right, and I was getting tired. I was trying to think of a creative way to spend the money, but the only thing I could think of was finding some street kids, getting them some food, and eating with them. I was thinking too much... if the right moment were to arise, then it would come about naturally. I headed back to the flat (we lived with Dharmesh and Anup... thanks guys), and went to take a nap. To my surprise, Dharmesh, who usually does Indicorps work 24 hours/day was also preparing to take a nap. We talked for a good 30-45 minutes, and I shared the 100 rps story, and went to sleep.
After waking up, it was now around 5 PM.... I sat in silence for awhile, and just tried to clear my head. At this moment, I thought of how my sister told me to go meet Upen. Upen lives in the "tekra" (slum area) near Manav Sadna, and has been a "Manav Sadna kid" for some years now. When my sister was out here working with MS and Indicorps, she grew really close to Upen and their family... and up to this point, I hadn't met them.
So, I got out of the apartment, and walked to the "tekra"... I had never been there alone, although it's not really that big of a deal. When I got there, I met Kiran, another Manav Sadna youth. He said he was heading to MS where he was going to meet some of the other kids, and then they were going for some cultural show rehearsal that they were performing at on the following day. First, he had to go back to his house and wait for his brother... so, I joined him. I asked him if he knew Upen and where he would be. He's like, "You mean Upendra? You know him, too... we've been doing garba together, and he's been helping ut at the cafe, as well." Aa-hah... I did know Upendra, but just never quite made the Upen - Upendra connection. So, I headed over to MS.
All the youths were a little scattered and on edge as they were late to the rehearsal... I decided to go with them. I love dance, and was definitely interested in waching their rehearsal. For a moment, a thought crept in, "but what about finding how to use the 100 rps?" but I was able to dismiss it. I ended up walking part of the way with Upen and Kamlesh, and then taking a rikshaw with them. I told Upen that Ami Kanani was my sister, and he got all excited! He invited me over to his house, and said his parents would love to meet me, etc. It felt good to see the incredible impression that my sister left.
After watching the rehearsal for a while (around 8:30 pm), I decided that I would go back to Seva Cafe and give back my 100 rps to Nipun. I didn't want to force anything. As I was walking in the direction of the cafe, I saw a 8-9 year old girl carrying a baby, begging for money. She appoached me, and I asked, if what she wanted... she could have anything... toys, candy, ice cream, food, etc...... and she said that she wanted food. Soon, streetkids from all over started coming over as they saw me talking to this girl. I asked them all if they wanted to join me for dinner? And, they said "yes".... I asked them where the nearest place was that we could get food from.... and they said "down the street"... so I told them to join me. They asked me to bring the food to the street corner instead, since the restaurant owners don't react to well when the "beggar kids" come into the restaurant. So, I said "okay.. I'll come back, you all wait here..."
I walk down the street, and finally (after about a 15 minute walk) find a "vadaa-pau waalaa". First I ask him how his sandwiches are, etc. He's wondering if I'm going to buy one or not, probably. Then, I ask him for 20! He was a little surprised... and asked me why I wanted 20, so I told him the whole story about the 100 rupees. He gave me a "ketchup" squeeze-bottle, and asked me to bring it back to him.
I get all this food, and a few bottles of water, and head back over to the street corner. I look around, and none of the kids are in sight! For a minute... I'm stnading there with these two bags of food and water, and I'm wondering to myself, "Oh man.. what am I going to do now..." Just then, I see the the first girl and the baby walking towards me, and then ssoon all the other kids are walking toward the street corner as well.
It ended up being 9 kids, and a mother. Perfect, 10 people, two sandwiches for each of them. As I pass out the sandwiches, I make sure they tell me their names first... The mother thanks me and tells me that God will bless me for serving the poor. At this point, I tell her that I'm doing nothing at all! I told them that the money I used to buy the food wasn't even mine, and I told them the story of where the 400 rupees came from. They were a little confused, but appreciative. I told them that I was glad that I just had the opportunity to sit and talk with them. And I told them that I wanted to have some fun... soon, we were singing garbos. We talked about all kinds of things... what they like to do for fun, why they can't go to school, how the "begging business" works (the kids usually have a target for the day that they have to bring back to their parents, auntie, uncle.. whoever is caring for them). We weren't that far from Manav Sadna, so I told them about it and that they should go check it out. One of the older boys (around 12-13) said that he's been there before, and that he makes more money on the street than they give to the "card-makers". Whatever we talked about, he seemed to have a pretty pessimistic attitude. But, I felt a bit of a connection there.
There was this one little girl, Pinky, who completely scarfed down her first sandwich... I was trying to tell her to enjoy it and eat it slower. When everyone finished their first sandwich, I started passing around the second sandwiches. The first one, I gave to Pinky. As I saw her tear open the wrapper.. I stopped her, and said that I was going to give each sandwich to her... and she would pass them out to each of the kids there. After she was done passing out the sandwiches, she wrapped hers back up. I asked her why she was wrapping it up. She said that she was going to take it to her sister. Maybe... the feeling of service was passed on?
As we sat there, I explained to them that I was just a middle person, and that each one should promise me that they'll do an act of service the next day. The 12-13 year old boy replied, "But we are poor, what can we do?" I asked him if he had intellect, he said yes. Then I said, well, then I think you'll be able to figure something out. After a minute or so, he talked about a way that he could help his mom the next day, and asked if that counts..... of course!
Finally, it was time for me to leave... I wanted to get to Seva Cafe before it was too late, and everyone left... but I still had that ketchup squeeze-bottle that I had to deliver back. I looked at the kids, and told them that the ketchup bottle had to go back to the vendor, and asked if anyone would deliver it for me. They all looked at each other, and then at me. They didn't want to do it. They talked about how they still had to beg for money as they hadn't met the quota for the day, and that it was getting late, etc. Making all kinds of excuses. I told them that one person's good deed would be done if they could take it back. Still, no takers. Then, I said I was just going to leave it there, and that I trusted them that they would return it.
As I left, I saw the 12-13 year old boy pick it up... but I'm not sure what he did with it. The next day, I went back to the vendor, and immediately, he asked me, "Where's my bottle?" No one had brought it back... so, I paid him for his lost bottle.
Maybe, the kids didn't have time on that night... and would bring it back the next night?
As forced and generic as the "act of kindness" was... when I was actually in the moment, it felt right. Once the connection with the other human beings begins... all thoughts and hesitations seem to fall away. Ideally, these "acts of kindness" just come natural and are a part of me.... but, for now, they don't seem like they are.... soo... what's the right path? To "force" them until they become more natural and habitual? Or to just wait until the moment is ripe and when it just feels "right"?
Being in Ahmedabad, surounded by Indicorps folks; Manav Sadna folks; friends like Nipun, Arch, etc.; Yuva Ahmedabad folks..... it's a good feeling to be surrounded by such positive vibes... where the spirit of service is contagious.
posted by Raj Kanani | 4:04 PM
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