Mr. Cussen is posting on behalf of Chris Bittel.
Today I witnessed the most the most vivid account of poverty and inequality I have ever seen. We went to chapel before the sun came up and visited an order of nuns called the medical mission sisters, who embrace the curative benefits of alternative medicine. After a brief break, my group walked to a slum about twenty minutes away. The walk alone was terrifying enough because there are few sidewalks and even fewer streetlights in India, and the drivers don't yield to pedestrians, but we got to our destination without an incident. The slums were nothing more than a collection of houses built with discarded scrap metal, pieces of wood, and old banners. The kids were dirty and barefoot, many of them wearing worn clothing. They smiled at us and one held my hand. A priest living with them and some of the adults showed us around. The homes were hot and cramped and did not have many of the basic utilities that we enjoy today. Water came every few days, air conditioning was nonexistent. Most of the kids were not in school, although they did receive some instruction from the priest. I felt sorry for the people living there, they were trapped in a little shack that many had lived in for decades. Right across the street were luxury apartments and distinctive hotels, here we people struggling to stay alive. Despite all this the people were friendly and kind. End though the was a language barrier, the kids played with us and the adults talked to us, four of the girls even did a dance. They were trying their best to retain their dignity despite the circumstances. Looking back on this I will remember how lucky I am to have and education and a comfortable life, and I hope this experience reminds me that we are all called to help fight poverty.
-Chris Bittel
Today I witnessed the most the most vivid account of poverty and inequality I have ever seen. We went to chapel before the sun came up and visited an order of nuns called the medical mission sisters, who embrace the curative benefits of alternative medicine. After a brief break, my group walked to a slum about twenty minutes away. The walk alone was terrifying enough because there are few sidewalks and even fewer streetlights in India, and the drivers don't yield to pedestrians, but we got to our destination without an incident. The slums were nothing more than a collection of houses built with discarded scrap metal, pieces of wood, and old banners. The kids were dirty and barefoot, many of them wearing worn clothing. They smiled at us and one held my hand. A priest living with them and some of the adults showed us around. The homes were hot and cramped and did not have many of the basic utilities that we enjoy today. Water came every few days, air conditioning was nonexistent. Most of the kids were not in school, although they did receive some instruction from the priest. I felt sorry for the people living there, they were trapped in a little shack that many had lived in for decades. Right across the street were luxury apartments and distinctive hotels, here we people struggling to stay alive. Despite all this the people were friendly and kind. End though the was a language barrier, the kids played with us and the adults talked to us, four of the girls even did a dance. They were trying their best to retain their dignity despite the circumstances. Looking back on this I will remember how lucky I am to have and education and a comfortable life, and I hope this experience reminds me that we are all called to help fight poverty.
-Chris Bittel
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