Leave a Comment
November 27, 2017 - 2017 Operation: Dabangg
Last blog! I can’t believe I only have one more day teaching in the schools. This past week has flown by. I am so humbled and grateful for this whole expedition. I love the whole team, my village team, and all the people I have met along the way. Today we had to say goodbye to the YMAD girls. I have grown to love them so much and saying bye was extremely sad and hard. They all are some of the most gracious and loving people I have ever met. They have taught me so many things that I know I will remember forever. One of the main things that they have taught me is to be selfless. Throughout this week we have been trying to read and finish charlottes web with the YMAD girls, so that on Saturday we could watch the movie with them. We projected it onto a screen and watched it on the balcony of the hotel. I sat by one of the girls named Sapna, she has only been at the YMAD house for a year and doesn’t speak a lot. While we watched the movie the leaders brought out popcorn for just the YMAD girls, but Sapna wouldn’t eat it until I had some first. This is just one of the many times that the girls have shown love and selflessness to me.
One of the best days so far on the trip was Saturday. We woke up and ate breakfast (scones and rice pudding, which is sooo yummy) then we got ready for the day. We drove to each school and performed our dance and two songs (one day and the best day of my life). I loved going and meeting all the kids that each team has been talking so much about. Each school was so different but the kids love for us was all the same. My school was the last school that we performed at. My kids are usually super rowdy but when we arrived a bunch of the older girls were dressed in traditional outfits ready to perform for us. They performed many many dances for us but I loved every single one. They were so happy and smiling so big the whole time. I felt like such a mom watching them haha. After the all of the cultural exchanges we went down to Chamba town and shopped at the market. I got some super cool shoes that I am so excited to wear off the airplane!!
Last night after we had dinner we had a meeting called the gratitude meeting. During this meeting we went around in a circle and talked about what we are grateful for. I talked about how grateful I am for my family, friends and the whole experience of India. But I also talked about how I am grateful for the lessons I have learned in this trip. I am so grateful for the children and YMAD girls for loving me instantly and for seeing me as my best self. Tomorrow is going to be so sad and hard leaving my school but I know that by being in India we are all doing the right thing. Each night a leader shares a quote and tonight Ashley shared one about courage that I think is perfect to keep in mind tomorrow. It says “It often requires more courage to dare to do right than to fear to do wrong.” I know that it was the right choice to come to India even though saying goodbye breaks my heart. I love you all and will see you this weekend!
I knew you would love the instantly and they would love you too! Can’t wait to see you Saturday night. I am grateful for your India experience as well! Excited to hear about every day and see all the pictures, Love you Lots, XO MOM
sorry emma writing too fast, but i knew you would love the children instantly…left our children, HAHA!
Hey emma i love reading you blogs. You look so happy to be there and you look like you really like the kids. I am so excited to hear more about your many experiences. Your blogs make me want to go on a humanitarian trip so bad because you talk about how cute the kids are and how your life has changed because of this cool experience. I love you and miss you a lot I cant wait to see you on Saturday!! have the best week -Sarah jane