Volunteering a way to give back

Volunteering a way to Give Back!

Recently Dr Robyn spent almost 6 weeks volunteering at a facility that schools and cares for the intellectually disabled in India. This article talks of her experience and joy in helping and giving!

I have recently returned from India - this time my visit was as a volunteer through Ryder Cheshire Foundation.

I realise that not everyone has the opportunity to do what I chose to do for many reasons, (a big thank you to my amazing team) and not everyone would WANT to volunteer in India!!

I lived and worked at ‘Raphael’, a medium NGO charity, for 6 weeks. When this opportunity presented itself to me it really resonated with my heart. Although this was to be my 3rd trip to India, obviously living and working in India was very different to visiting as a tourist...

What is Raphael about?

Raphael, one of ‘Ryder Cheshire's’ projects, is situated in Dehradun, northern India. It was set up in 1959 for the destitute and as a leper’s colony and has grown to include about 140 physically and intellectually disabled children and young adults and the Shiv Shadan village for the recovered lepers and their families.

Raphael-at-edge-Sal-trees-forest Raphael-group-picture

Over the years Raphael has expanded with many services. Besides the day school for the children, there is also a 30 bed TB hospital and a teaching centre offering a 2 years training to become special needs teachers. There are separate hostels for the girls and boys, also Barbara and Martin Cottages, a Physio department, candle making workshop and paper craft area, in which, with assistance, residents make many beautiful items which are sold to raise funds. Then there are the old fashioned spinning wheels and wooden looms used mainly by cured lepers (from Raphael's Shiv Sadan village) to create wonderful hand woven beautiful shawls and scarves sold to raise funds.

The mission of Raphael is to provide relief to the suffering and where possible, reintegrate these shunned or ostracised suffering people back into society in some way.

See: https://www.dropbox.com/s/nd8pxw3hjk009za/Raphael-8min-Overview.mp4?dl=0

http://www.raphael-ryder-cheshire.org/ or http://ryder-cheshire.org/video/ (scroll down to watch video about Raphael).

So Raphael is a charity providing a sanctuary for the outcast and intellectually disabled at no charge to the people whom it extends help to.

As a volunteer there are so many ways to contribute irrespective of your skills and interests.

On the surface Raphael is a green oasis set on the edge of the busy Dehradun city in the north of India - but when you walk 5 mins to the end of road you are emerged in typical aspects of India - the stinking squalor, pigs, feral dogs, rickety roads trying to cope with the monsoon rain, electricity blackouts, and of course the staring eyes of so many at a white woman in a very non tourist area!

My Rewards

Apart from the obvious joy that the children bring, with their simple outlook on life, including their cheeky banter, I felt warmed at the sense of family and community. It was like a godsend, given some children have no outside family and others rarely see their families. There are some very special staff, particularly those who have who have grown up in Shiv Sadan, (the village of now recovered lepers) who bring their sense of community spirit to Raphael. Raphael is their family!

I was asked to mentor 2 brand new Physio graduates - this was a minefield as I had to earn their respect and then work around cultural differences tactfully. I did my best to try and teach the young physios some basic skills especially when it came to connection! They had no idea of how to work with delicate fragile brains. We saw so many kids with various degrees and forms of CP, cerebellar ataxia, athetoid movements, and so much more including the 10 y.o. I could hold like a toddler who could only sit and make a few guttural animal sounds. It was an absolute privilege to do my little bit to help the children directly. We also assessed and treated outpatients. The word spread quickly and I was inundated by so many staff (directors, teachers, office staff etc) and their families seeking chiropractic care also. (Chiropractic is very rare in India!)

I also enjoyed interacting with the disabled adults who are in care. Sometimes they are forgotten, as so much focus was on the children. Despite language barriers we always found a way to connect.

I was very privileged to travel to rural areas and see how families lived and coped with a disabled child. These people are often of lower education and live in very basic 'homes'. During my community based rehab visit I was able to teach some of these families some basic tools to take care of their disabled children. This was one of the great highlights which is deeply buried in my heart.

Another highlight was ' sponsoring' a meal for the residents of Raphael. Every day, the children ate eat rice, dhal and chapattis for their main meal. They only get to eat chicken curry twice/ year unless someone donates specifically for it. For just over $AU1/person, I provided their main meal which included chicken curry, vegetables, dessert as well as their usual rice, chapatti and dhal. After forming a great connection with these kids in the previous weeks, and despite our language barrier, the look on some of their faces was priceless when I served them dinner. Inwardly this was very emotional.... For something so small to give, I received so so much! Ahh- The universal joy of giving and receiving!

I enjoyed so many laughs from 'Ajay', the high functioning Down syndrome young man, in the Physio room. There were so many hilarious ' only in India ' moments that still bring a smile on my dial when I think, about them. Hanging out with the kids and their smiles and gestures was incredible. From helping them in the classroom, to dancing with them, pushing them on the swing or throwing them a ball. Like most kids, they loved the attention. So much so, that some become very very possessive and push their classmates awayJ. I had to be careful that some children did not become too attached.

It's natural to want to help everyone, but you need to be emotionally quite strong given the children's struggles. I thought it was important to think ‘big picture’, as I tried to make my visit long lasting and very gently tried to encourage others to make change. It was wonderful to help out a little in planning stages at management level. We attempted to come up with creative, economically sustainable ideas which will contribute towards making Raphael even more of a success in the coming years.

My Challenges

Accommodation was of course very basic by western standards, I missed my bed terribly, sleeping on the hardest mattress ever, and woken up every morning at 4.30 by the local imam on a mega phone with morning prayer week after week, after week took its toll. Combined that with a hugely inflammatory diet and a toxic load of E.coli coming home through Delhi – by the time I started my journey home, I was missing more than my bed! Nevertheless, as I tried to maintain a light hearted attitude, I found myself adapting fairly quickly.

Working and living in a very hierarchical society was a challenge, especially as I am always keen to get in and help (and explore!). I also wanted to contribute in some way not just for the time I was there, but long term. The reality is, as westerners we are ‘highly valued’ in certain countries, but there are many barriers to ‘rules’ and ways of doing things. It made me even more grateful for having so much choice in my own life.

Working with severely intellectually disabled people on a daily basis, although rewarding, was also a challenge. I have the utmost respect for anyone who works with and cares for the disabled. It takes a very special person to be able to do that.

On the weekends I was able to venture out and visit some interesting places, like Rishikesh, which is situated on the mighty Ganges. It is a pilgrim area and the birthplace of yoga. As a very spiritual centre there are many ashrams, mediation centres and AMAZING bookshops. I also visited an orphanage in Rishikesh with incredible sustainability practices.

I wasn’t leaving Rishikesh without doing a couple of Yoga classes- one of which I stumbled on, was in a serious ashram running Ashtanga classes for serious Yoga teachers! What was I thinking? ...I could hardly walk for the next 4 days. I still smile at this experience- it was hilarious!

Then there was Moussorie- a beautiful hilly town at the foot of the Himalayas.

Another highlight was my private tour of the Himalayan Institute or university set up by Swami Rama, where ‘East meets West’ with regards to teachings - all students including those of Medicine, physio and nursing must undertake training in yoga and meditation as part of their curriculum. The institute also has been able to educate and bring positive changes to rural areas in regards to sanitisation and other essential health topics.

‘Modern man is full of fears and he does not examine those fears.’ Swami Rama

So, all in all, apart from the all round benefits of giving back to society; I found this was a great opportunity for us ALL to be reminded of some simple universal life lessons:

Giving and Receiving - definitely goes both ways!

A simple smile has enormous benefits from giver to the receiver. I have so many special little smiles and memories of some very 'special' kids and adults buried in my heart.

I think we shouldn’t forget to give back and help those less fortunate than ourselves. There are many opportunities around where we can contribute. The positive benefit to yourself may also surprise you.

Gratitude – I’m sure most of us know we are very very blessed to live in Australia.

After 6 weeks of hand washing my clothes, bent over a bucket- I am still in awe of my washing machine! After working on rickety hard tables and floors - I really appreciate my adjusting tables in the office. Then there is my bed, my access to a variety of good food, our choices....It always helps to stop, stand up high and view the broader perspective and think about the silly unnecessary stresses we tend to create for ourselves.

Are you giving thanks each day as part of your daily ritual? Do you sweat the small stuff?

Always remember the joy of the simple things and being in the ‘here and now’.

Realise your gifts - don't underestimate or waste them!

Most people over estimate what they can do in 12 months and underestimate what they can do in 10 years.

I think most people are unaware of their capacity.

Have a go, be patient with yourself and others, and have a laugh J

I certainly feel even clearer, and more focused since returning home; and of course I have gained a greater sense of inner peaceJ

If you would like to directly donate to Raphael, I can guarantee every dollar donated goes directly to Raphael.

Namaste, Dr Robyn.

Below are some photos from the Raphael facility - Dehradun, India