Kolkata, India

Two weeks. 

Mother Teresa. 

Missionaries of Charity.

115 degree weather. 

Palak Paneer.

Mango Juice.

Kalighat. 

Kolkata, India. 

After 24+ hours of traveling, my group and I made it to Kolkata and immediately went to our hotel.

 

We started volunteering early that next morning. Each morning we would go to the Mother House and have breakfast with other volunteers from around the world. Our breakfast consisted of chai, bananas, and bread. 

We would then travel in a group to the homes that we were volunteering at. My first day, I was assigned to Shanti Dan. After that, I spent the rest of my time at Kalighat. Kalighat is also known as the House of the Dying and is the original house that Mother Teresa started. 

A bus similar to one we would take to get to Kalighat

Once at Kalighat, the volunteers would start by doing laundry (rinsing and hanging up to dry on the roof). When the laundry was finished, the men and women would split up and start working with the men and women residing at Kalighat. As a volunteer, I would interact with the women as well as help distribute medicine, give massages, and help distribute (and clean up) lunch. 

After the morning was over, our time volunteering for the day was done and we would often go to lunch with other volunteers. Our afternoons consisted of whatever we wanted to do (including rest!). Our group would then typically meet up for dinner.

South Park Street Cemetery

We went to a Jain temple one afternoon.

Litchi!

I loved the two weeks that I spent in India. 

Thank you to everyone who has supported me!

Missionaries of Charity

In anticipation of my trip to India, I thought I would share a bit of history about the Missionaries of Charity, who we will be working with while in Kolkata:

A woman named Agnes who was devoted to a life of serving God came to Kolkata to help the destitute. She opened a home for those dying in 1952. She also opened a place for children to live and receive care in 1955.

Not only did she care for the dying and the young, but she also saw a need to care for the forgotten. Lepers were ignored by society as a whole and so she sought to change the social stigma. She helped to educate the communities in Kolkata about leprosy and also founded a safe community for lepers to live and work.

In order to successfully keep these programs running, she brought in other women who were similar to her in nature.  Together, they were called the "Missionaries of Charity." There were twelve women in total.

Mother Teresa followed God's call and made a lasting impact on Kolkata, India, and the world. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to go and serve where Mother Teresa once served God.

(References: http://www.has.vcu.edu/wrs/profiles/MissionariesOfCharity.htm)

Intense love does not measure, it just gives. - Mother Teresa

T-Shirt Campagin

Hello all!

I have just relaunched my t-shirt campaign.

Each t-shirt purchased helps raise the money that I need to go to India this May.

Incase you missed the last campaign or just recently found out about it, now is the time to buy a shirt.

The campaign is only open until January 25th, so be sure to buy your shirts now while they are available.

If you do not wish to purchase a shirt but still want to help, there is a direct donation option through this website.

Here is the link to my campaign: www.booster.com/adrianstrip2

I am so thankful for everyone who has supported me through this journey.