The Check’s In the Mail

Today we completed the circle of generosity initiated by our church, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta (UUCA), and presented the proceeds from our church’s social justice donation to Sukrupa Community Development in Bangalore. Helen had informed Krupa, the center’s Executive Director, that a donation from UUCA for Sukrupa would be made on April 15. To manage expectations, Helen indicated the donation would be in the range of $2,500 (Rs 100,000). Krupa later shared with us that, given that expectation, she had started some mental math on how the donation would be used.

The monthly rent of Rs 25,000 had not yet been paid… and there was no money in sight that would cover that expense. Meals for the over 200 children cost Rs.100,000 a month. Good progress on that expense. Need to figure out how to cover the shortfall by the end of the month. The other expenses….what to do?

With the ‘comfort’ that the rent would be paid and a good portion of next month’s meal expenses covered, Krupa stood pleased and grateful as Helen handed her an oversize check we had made for the occasion.

After holding the check for a few moments, we motioned to Krupa to actually read the amount on the check. Rather than the anticipated of Rs. 100,000, the check was for Rs. 214,067 (2,14,067…2 lakh, 14 thousand and 67 rupees in Indian-speak). Krupa’s breath was taken away. Complete strangers from the other side of the world had reached out and their anonymous generosity had made a big, big difference to children they will never meet here in Bangalore.

We were given the gift of actually seeing those children. As part of our visit, the Sukrupa children put on skits they had developed regarding pollution in India. “Do not wash your cow in the river where you draw your drinking water.” “Wash your hands before eating.” “Don’t pass urine on the street.” Tacit and simple lessons one may understand from the vantage point of the mature urban environs of Canberra, Hong Kong, New York and London. We, however, were watching the birth of a new generation of Indian citizens. The future will not be a repeat of the past.

We spent several hours chatting with the Sukrupa staff. Our first stop was the Fashion Center. We took photos of the tailors working at their sewing machines. The embroidery staff was equally keen to have a photo taken, as was the kitchen staff. We will make prints of the photos and gift them to each hard working individual.

We leave India with a hope that we have had some positive impact, however minuscule, on the lives of a tiny number of children. We were present at the creation, so to speak, of a generation that will demand more of themselves and others around them. If such a hope comes true, our adventure in India would be a greater treasure than we could have imagined.