I can’t stay long. This café only has four computers and I only have so many rupees with which to pay. I just wanted to let you know what happened to me, after that mysterious e-mail that I had packed up and run to India.

You see, actually I won a grant through my university and a kind donor to work and study for a few weeks in this country, all expenses paid of course. I and ten other students have come with our professor to work at the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai, India. MSSRF works in the over 600,000 villages of this country to create self-help groups, village knowledge and resource centers, sets up scholarships, aids in rebuilding tsunami-damaged villages, and so on. It’s a leader in development,
and they’re constantly innovating. We’re here to learn the ropes of development work, particularly those of us who will be going into that field (myself included).

MSSRF has put us up, fed us, and taught us a lot already. We have spent a lot of time just talking to villagers, about the groups they have formed and the side jobs they have taken up to help pay for their children’s education. I have had so many amazing experiences just talking with and doing traditional work and crafts with the natives of India. For me it’s just been a reaffirmation of my goals and dreams, which college life and world events have jaded. I’m certain now that my life’s work lies here in
the field, making smiles and rebuilding dreams. I can see it in the smiles of the children around me. I am no longer afraid.

Take care. I have kept a diary of my time here on my laptop, and I promise to share it with you.