Week 7

I cannot believe I only have three weeks left of this insanity!
This week was Diwali which is like all the holidays mixed into one, but mostly Christmas. Diwali (Pronounced - Divali) is a festival of light over dark, righteousness over evil. Everyone gets a new fancy outfit, every house and store is decorated with millions of lights, music is blared, presents are given to co-workers or friends, fireworks and Japanese lanterns are set off, and there are huge parties. As fun and memorable as these experiences were, nothing could or maybe ever will compare to the time I got to spend with the "untouchables."
The Indian caste system has been abolished for a few years now but it is still respected and followed religiously, thus the untouchables are still left. Often these children are not able to go to school, the families make them work so they can survive. But their work is not regular work, it is picking up the garbage in the city, collecting it, and sifting though it to see if any is worth salvaging to sell or use or eat. When all the valuable trash is gone from one area they are forced to move, they cannot stay in one place very long. 
I spent my Tuesday evening with these kids, walking through their "village" I was awed by the homes made of trash and tarps. I could not even begin to comprehend how they lived, I hurt for them. But after meeting and spending time with them, I learned that's not what matters. They were the happiest people I have ever met, they are not happy because of where they live or how their lives are, they are happy because they are alive and get to experience the world around them. We took them shopping for warm sweaters and  dresses to keep them warm when it starts getting cold soon. I have never met anyone so grateful and so willing to give up their one opportunity to get something new to make sure someone else can receive as well. I have no idea if I am making or have made any bit of difference here, but I do know they have made a difference in me.