“We found our seats on the 10am train and all seemed quiet. I had an idea to read my book. I’ve barely read since I’ve been here. Every time I take out a book, it sits unopened on my knee, the life around always seems so much more interesting to me than the fiction on my laps.
5 minutes before departure, a big and noisy family arrived and identified our compartment as theirs as well. Ideas of reading disappeared as I watched multiple family members entering and leaving the train in order to say goodby to those traveling. Food and money was given. A child was pushed in and out of the window and I thought they must be going very far away for a long time. Garlands were put around necks and there was a long and continuous wave of goodbyes until the train started to move. Before the family had arrived, we’d had a couple of beggars in the train. One was a boy, crawling on his knees and showing us his open sore leg. I gave him a banana and his pleading eyes reached into mine and I gave him some money, too. He scoffed the banana and moved on. As the train departed, I saw him outside, limping. He caught my eye, waved and smiled shyly. It was a touching moment.
As the train moved on, the family started to eat. After an hour, they already had 3 courses. Generously, they offered us something of everything they took out. Later on, a large, tumbling family of 4 generations entered the train. I was really captured by this family and I think if they had asked me to join them, I might just have said yes. All four generations interacted with each other. They were singing, dancing, playing games and visibly just enjoyed each other’s company. They too, shared their food with us. Proudly acknowledging my compliments on how good it tasted. I had a lot of eye and gesture contact with the main male of the party. A man in his thirties with a strong, intelligent and gentle face. He knew why I was smiling. He knew I was watching his family with joy and he seemed to take pleasure in my pleasure. Our exchanges were respectful, considerate and on a human level which made my heart beat. While watching this family sharing and interacting, I was wondering about richness? How can material wealth and advantage ever compete with such an obvious and heartfelt humanity and closeness? How much could we learn from each other if we gave it a chance? The love of a family, cooperation and kindness in return of prosperity and a clean living environment! Together, we could create heaven on earth!
I was sad to leave this train after 6 hours. I would have wished to stay longer with these wonderful people. I wanted to partake of their closeness, their kindness and their togetherness. I wanted to become more like them, to learn with them and from them.
I know already that I’ll come back to India. I can move things here. A little European money can go a long way in India. Your daily caffe latte can feed a family for several days. This fact won’t leave my mind so easily. When I am home I will find a charity organisation to support, preferably with women and children. Maybe I can find a way to fundraise and visit once a year. Maybe I can spend longer periods here as my child becomes older and I can join me. Its all the seed of an idea, but its deeply planted. I am unable to leave India behind without remembering, without acting.”- , The Pilgrim train to Bikaner, From Tara’s diary January 2011
During her first travel to India, Tara experienced the astonishing poverty and suffering which are part of the lives of million of Indians. At the same time she was captured by the music, the colours and the ancient tradition of this country. She immediately felt a sense of belonging. She took the important decision to step back from her successful corporate career, to redirect her knowledge and skills to help the people and the country of India.
The “seed of an idea” she mentioned in her diary sprouted into her no-profit United for Hope in 2013. United for hope’s mission is to co-create model villages-communities which are able to generate income and access the resources they need to improve their standards of life-through an holistic approach. The NGO’s work is based on 5 pillars: providing access to clean water, sanitation, energy, altrenative livelihood and education services.
It might sound very ambitious at first sigh, but is it really transformational change if a girl child attends school, but goes home to drink dirty water, inhale toxic cooking fumes, defecate in a field and be married of at 15?
Almost 3 years after its foundation, UfH with serious commitment has achieved it’s first significant milestones. Just to name a few, it has granted a toilet to more than 100 families, provided clean water to school children and 150 households, completed the first phase of its community centre, piloted its first education program and will soon launch a clean energy project which will grant access to reliable solar energy to the villagers of Tirmasahun.
Over 30 volunteers around the world contribute with their skills a good will to Tara’s vision. I’m proud to be one of them. I’m impressed on how fast this young NGO works and fascinated by everyones dedication and passion.
We are all working together to support communities to become drivers of the change we wish to see.
