A Tale of Two Villages

We've had two more recent visits to villages here that GouF is trying to help. They were almost black and white by contrast. Village #1 was an urban pig rearing community we call Kawra village. And village #2 was a farming community receiving micro credit loans. Here's a look at the Kawra village.

It seems that in Kawra they are the most in need but have the least potential. One woman told us point blank that her expectation for us was to build her a building up to the sky for them to sleep in. They also told us that none of our solutions for them work or have worked. It seems as if they are looking for a handout more than anything. Tradition has kept this community of lower caste Hindus in the slums for generations. How does one inspire change when there is so little optimism, and so much self-doubt?

The beastly men of Kawra. I'm not sure if they enjoy raising pigs for a living, but they sure like eating them. At one point we were being offered some but thankfully our Muslim translator (far right corner) got us out of it.


When asked what they feed the pigs, their response was "everything".


A look at where some pig pens are.


I just had to have a picture by the pigs! I know McFarlands will appreciate this :)


Stinky garbage! This community is not called the stinky place for no reason.


This is an interesting shot Jason got. I like it because it captures the expressions of these women who couldn't stop starring at me. They were wondering why I was wearing boy clothes and where my jewelry was. I have been told numerous times that because I am married I must wear bracelets and have piercings. These people, bless their hearts, cram together in small living quarters, in some cases fifteen people live in a one room shack. Total, there are 300 people in the community and some of the worst living conditions.