ensemble, agissons and Vimukti friends

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Meditative maxims

The paths of the heart

From Ugire to Pothnal, Inde -Karnataka

A wedding celebration which we are very lucky to attend. The married couples are submitted to the rituals with dignity. A coconut wrapped up in a mango leaf and rice symbolizes fertility. The groom, venerated as a god, decorates the forehead of his wife with the red powder which certifies that she is married because, in this place, 85% of the marriages are arranged with the families of the same caste. The father of the bride spends the equivalent of one year's income to pay the dowry. Divorce, even it is legal, is not really tolerated; an unmarried woman has no future in the rural society.

Encountering India and its inhabitants means opening doors, beeing transformed by the country and living in the present.

Vishalakshi

When I decided to sponsor a child in India, in June 2004, I couldn't imagine that I would enter into such a nourishing and fruitful world and that my life would be changed.

After brushing aside all the clichés, the preconceived notions and the fantasies in my mind, I decided to visit this child, to meet her family, to discover her environnment.

She lives in Ugire, a small village in the Southwest of Karnataka, between the Ghats along the coast of Mangalore and the plain of Mangalore. For 3 years, we exchanged letters translated in kannada, the local dialect, by the Indian association which is our link in this country.

April 2007. As soon as I landed, I had the feeling of being at home, that this country is inviting me to discover it step by step. When Vishalakshi came to meet us after a few days, we were greatly moved.

We met the staff who have been working in the 16 villages for the past 7 years. For 3 days, we visited families, schools and dispensaries. We were deeply touched by the enthusiasm and the generosity of all these women and men who worked together for the benefit of the disadvantaged, whether they were Hindus, Muslims, Jaïns or Christians.

"You have seen and you are able to report what you have seen", my friend Alwyn said, a few months later.

Vimukti Pothnal

February 2010. We arrive at dawn by bus in Raichur station. Noise, pollution, bustle in the streets, dust, cacophony and visible confusion prevail. Arun tells us that in this poor area, the women have to wait for nightfall (sometimes at the risk of their lives) to go to the loo along the roads because the houses equiped with toilets are very rare.

Deeksha, Divya, Jasintha, Malama, are the four young women of the Vimukti staff, the Indian association that we are sponsoring. Elizabeth helps them for computer technology. Arogyapa, Jajasheela, Amaresh and Charlie, are older. They all live in these villages and they all have a Bachelor of Arts degree, so they have the keys to understanding the people and finding suitable solutions. Everyone is responsible for two or three villages. We are in the heart of the Pothnal programme.

Arun Lobo, the project manager, looks like St François d'Assise in modern times. He is very simple, jovial and enthusiastic. The computer and the portable phone are as familiar as the motorbike that he rides many times a day. When he is not in a meeting, he goes through the countryside to meet families, to discuss with children or to check the progress of an educational programme.

An extreme poverty

The north of Karnataka is a territory where the disparities between rich and poor are very flagrant. The Dalits, a part of Intouchables, earn less than 50 rupees a day. The women and the children are the first victims of this poverty. Even if Raichur district is the second largest producer of cotton in Asia, 30% of the workforce in the fields is provided by the children who sometimes work up to 45 hours a week. The illetaracy rate is more than 35%. Sometimes the small girls work in the fields when they are 7 and are married when they are 13. The public facilities are insufficient and the teachers are not very competent. In the country, the barriers are still very strong. Because of alcoholism, poverty, lack of food and communication, a lot of children become tramps, outlaws or have mental illnesses. You must understand that in this part of the world and in these villages in particular, the families cannot get drinking water, have no electricity and the children are often considered as a burden when they are not able to earn money. To use one's influence with the legal representatives to bring about the necessary changes implies a large social action for the children rights.

From village to village

The children are playing in the schoolyard. The eldest are playing a cricket match. Nearby, in a room fitted out for sewing, young girls are getting used to the sewing machine while the lenient teacher looks on.

Deeksha, Arun's assistant, is our ambassador. We join the wedding. We improvise songs and dances with the children. A teacher tells us the difficulties of his job. He would like to make contact with a French school to develop intercultural exchanges. We would be the messengers with the French teachers who share this particular adventure.

We accompany the children home. We come into the houses where we are heartily welcomed, without embarassment. The men are very happy to have their close-up photographs which they can see in the viewfinder.

The villages are divided in three areas according to the casts. The deprived people, the middle class and the richer class. The houses are very rudimentary: one or two rooms only. A few shelves for putting away the metal plates and stones for cooking. The mother sleeps with the youngest on a bed and the father with the eldest on the ground.

The villages are more often built near a river. No water, no life. But sometimes the torrential rains at monsoon cause serious damage as in this village destroyed last October by the floods. Piles of earth and mud ended up in the middle of the exploded houses. Jasintha lives in this village. We drink tea with her family by torchnight. The electricity only works a few hours a day.

Along the river, clouds of dust and the noise of the trucks which always move on the road works, show an intense activity to repair the bridge. To go to the sandbank, we go across a nauseating path with excrements. Up the river, women draw the water from the sand and they carry it with elegance in big jars on their head.

In this village women create terracotta handicraft and they sell them on the local markets. We choose a lot of pieces that we bring back and sell in France for the benefit of the poorest. Isabelle and Bernadette give money directly to the women while the head of the family looks at them with embarassment. This gesture, with a lot of emotion, takes on a symbolic value.

An old man shows us the house that he is building. They have to stop the work for lack of money. We are very touched by his insistence. How many people are they hoping to lodge in their own house? His daughter, well-dressed as a nurse, introduces us into the nursery. A child is born during the night.

To see, to hear, to feel, to watch, to meet, to host, to share... so many women and children who allow us to approach them. Friendship is spontaneous, presence within one's self, to meet him, to meet her... faces lit from within... We are in contact in a glance.

The purpose of education

With 525 million young people who under 25 years old, 12 million children wo work, the two priorities of the Indian government are education and health.

Since the 1st of April, a new law, adopted by the Indian Parliament, advocates free and obligatory schooling for all the children between 6 and 14. In a country where 70 or 80 million people have never been to school, it's a real revolution.

Some people consider this law as an historical event and they think that it will change the future of India. Skeptics already predict that it will never be put into operation. How to send the children to school, if a lot of families do not agree to it, because even if the salary is meager, they can live better. How to lay down compulsory teaching if nothing is stipulated against the parents who did not send the children to school?

The reality is more complex. In public schools, on average 25% of the teachers are absent during the year. In private schools, for underprivileged children, young teachers, who are themselves very poor, teach and study at the same time.

In the only class which welcomes the children who were victims of the floods, the teacher helps children repeat English words. Because of our presence, children are smiling and enthusiastic during the short moments of sharing with a song or sweets.

Vimukti association offers a commitment to the families. In return for permanent support and financial assistance, the families are obliged to send the children to school, to be present at the meetings about education and health, to accept training to get a good job, to participate in activities proposed during the year: library, toys library, sewing and computer workshops, and educational trips. With no training, there is no liberty.

An educational and health programme

There is the Child Friendly programmes on Sunday. More than 400 people are gathered under a big top. The children present paintings, scenes and soliloquies on stage, songs and traditional dances that they have been rehearsed for a long time. The children heartily eat rice prepared in big pots in the shade of a tree.

I have the honor to inaugurate "The Child Friendly programmes". Arun translates my English speech in kannada. The local and regional representatives speak about the priorities. We are here to celebrate our mutual assistance.

We give rewards to the winners, greeting them with a cheer. Children come back on stage to present local dances. At nightfall, parents and children climb into trailers to go back to their villages. A few hours later, this event is related in the newspaper "Le Progrès de Lyon".

We have a meeting with Arun and the staff for the last time. He summarizes all the projects. He speaks about committees which work in the field. The government assistance is also essential to help the poorest, the eldest, the widows, the handicapped. We give the priority to sponsoring the poorest children. A Charter for security and welfare of the children is written by the two teams to give the children a better future.

Going back to Ugire

Vishalakshi is 14 now and the adolescent welcomes us warmly when we come to Ugire. According to the Indian tradition, she could be already married and have no hope for the future. With the help of the local Project, which her family adhered, she can continue her studies. She would like to specialize in a health professsion. According to her school results, she could become a nurse or a doctor.

Three years later, the house has been repainted, the roof repaired, openings fitted out for more comfort and light. Recent improvements: the installation of the phone and the investment in a food processor to prepare frugal and various meals.

Genuine meetings, heartfelt emotion, and the feeling that we are getting to know a new world where we can share with people who welcome us, with sparkles in their eyes, immedialtly creating an atmosphere of trust.

The families and the children opened their heart and we can't put a price on that. I always remembered these words written on a piece of wood when I came to Ugire: "For it is giving that we receive". Everyone learns from each other and acknowledges each other's differences.

A drop in the ocean?

A small child is walking on an immense beach. One by one, he picks up the starfish washed up by million on the sand and put them back into the water. An old man, watching him, approaches and talks him: "What are you doing son? Can't you see that your gesture is useless? You could never save all of them". He lifts his eyes, reaching up with a starfish towards the incredulous man and replies: "For this one, it changes everything".

Sponsorship criteria

Member: the sponsor should be the member of "ensemble, agissons" abiding by all its norms and policies. (fee adherence)

Selection: the Project will select the child and send the child and family profile for enrollment along with a burst size photo to "ensemble, agissons".

Correspondence: sponsor will not have direct contact with the child through any mode of communication. (letter, phone or mail). He/she will not give or transfer money or things directly to the child or family. All the correspondence and transactions will go through the Project at the partner agency has a right to open the parcel, post, letters before delivering to the child.

Gifts and money: the sponsor will not give money to individual child but he/she is free to give the amount in the name of the child which will be utilized for the child indirectly. E.g. the amount will be used to provide school materials, library books or sports materials to the school or community where the child studies or lives. The purpose is that we don’t discriminate other children in the name of sponsorship but provide equal opportunity to all children, of course giving special attention to the sponsored child.

The sponsor can offer gifts to the child and the family. Preferably the gifts should help the child and the family. It is advisable to give those gifts which help the child for education and increase their talent.

Correspondence: the sponsor can contact the child through letters addressed to Vimukti. However the child will answer to the letter thrice a year. For Christmas (November), Easter (March) and thirdly to inform about its academic performance (July).

Sponsor Visit: the sponsor can visit the Project and the child. However to make the visit more fruitful for both we request you to give prior information about your arrival.

Child protection policy: the sponsor should sign the child protection policy which helps the sponsor to safe guard the child wellbeing.

The sponsor has a right to get all the information regarding the child, family and Project. He/she can request for any detail or information under the purview of sponsorship.

Sponsorship fee: member of "ensemble, agissons" (the sponsor) should pay a specific amount (20 Euro) every month as the sponsorship maintenance fee and program cost to the organisation.

The sponsor should maintain a long term relationship with the child. Frequent changes or short sponsorship period will not help the children.

The philosophy of child sponsorship

The philosophy of child sponsorship programme lies mostly in building love and affection between sponsors and children who are at different corners of the world. Right from the world war times children particularly orphaned destitute and neglected have been the focus of sponsorship programme. In due course what started as a humanitarian gesture towards the children who are lacking love and succor, turned out to be major movements in building human relations across the globe, in general and in the development of underprivileged children in particular. Today the reason is not world war but the scenario is same with the children fighting in fatigue against the war of illiteracy, unemployment, poverty, malnutrition, child trafficking, girl child infanticide, child marriages and similar social evils. The children in the villages are considered as burden or liability until they earn for the family. So the children though they cross the age of childhood they never enjoy childhood.

The "ensemble agissons" sponsorship program through the partnership of Vimukti Pothnal gives the right type of linkages, access and continuous contacts required for fostering relationship between children and sponsors on a long term basis. The initial focus on children through education and personality development input and family support promises the child a bright future. The main goal of sponsorship is child education through which rest all the weaknesses turn into strength. – Knowledge is Power.

There are those unfortunate children who are born in this earth but are burden to the family. The future of these children is at stake. Given any chance to themselves these children are not able to find a better prosperous future for themselves. But yes! We can together bring meaning to this child’s existence; we can help the child for its future in a better way. " Ensemble, agissons" along with its Indian/Raichur Partner has a plan to bring smiles on the faces of these children.

Arun Lobo, Director of Vimukti Pothnal

Account given by Bernadette

How to bear witness of this journey?

How to find the right words to transmit, reveal, help others to perceive the emotion of this transformation?

Try to describe and observe in a different way, stripped of useless carapaces and embellishments.

"Indian imprints ...

A journey towards the esssential,

It is by openeing to the other that we go towards our own truth ..."

14th February 2010

Earth ... Mother, open to the diversity of colours of the skin, generous with warmth and light, dry, arid and at the same time luxuriant ... a land of many facets ...

17th February 2010

Faces that light up from the inside ... at the exchange of a glance, a complicity is born ... The heart and the body receive the warmth of the interaction between the people, with the women and the children, in the simplicity and authenticity ...

20th February 2010

Vital energy is circulating, linked to the heart ... it furthers the access to another level of conciousness of the present moment ... in its entirety and in all its dimension ...

The centring becomes more refined, the alignment becomes precise, the relaxation comes to the surface.

23th February 2010

Shared nourishment, mutual apprenticeship, engagement for a common cause ...

Admiration of the relentless action with the youngest ...

Approaching the poorest ...

Greeting all without dsicrimination of religion, conviction or origins ...

Taking care of the most destitute,

Helping with the education of the children,

Accompanying the women and the families ...

26th February 2010

Accompanying the children towards autonomy, responsability and awareness ...

Because the children carry the future,

Because Asia is the continent where the day breaks,

Because a lot can be done with so little,

Because joy trancends the optimism and pessimism and allows one to look at the other with more attention ...

The first General Assembly

Conviviality and sharing reigned at the first General Assembly of the association "ensemble, agissons", which was held on the 1st and the 2nd May in the Beaujolais region of France. During the first day, Daniel, Bernadette, Isabelle et Guy recounted their experience in the heart of the Project, last February, in this very poor and isolated region in the north of Karnataka. Backed up by photos, their underlined the difficulties met by the local populations that they witnessed: the lack of water and electricity, the extreme poverty, the insalubrities, the pollution, the discrimination between sexes, the arranged marriages, the separation of the castes, the weight of traditions, the damage caused by the floods.

"We have implemented an education and health programme with the Vimukti association, our partner locally, to carry out fundamental work with populations who have been forgotten by government programmes."

The two partnered associations have also drawn up a Charter specifying the modalities of child sponsorship. "We will be very attentive to a personalised follow-up between the sponsors and the children. The sponsorship must allow the children to develop within their families without creating supplementary discriminations and benefit indirectly to the entire community.

Account given by Isabelle

Wandering journey of the soul

The emotion is strong ... Each day this little corner of India makes me constantly in awe. The impregnation of a region of the world which still conserves its entire soul and identity, here the essentials subsists! As the days go by, advancing towards these remote villages, renouncement of the daily routine, rediscovering myself, the immersion comes about. I experience "one" with this "other" at the same different and so close. Seeing, hearing, feeling, observing the welcome, sharing, meeting ... so many women and children who accept when we approach them. Ties are created in the magic of the moment, presence within yourself, to go towards him, towards her, close to them in the opening of your heart. It's full of colour everywhere, it's good; it's life beneath my bear fee ... my eyes wide open ... a handful of life, a human journey ... an offering of tea as you follow the path.

The meeting with the children, who I greet warmly, is an invitation to rediscover my own childhood, revealing to me perhaps, the true sense of Innoncence. I live the alliance of thought and heart to make contact again with what is the most profound, like a spiral of light drawing in the senses one after the other. Is it not said: "unless you become a child, you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven. "I remember all these ephemeral and unforgettable moments with a smile on my lips and my eyes full of happiness. Fantastic encounters, assisted by our "guardian angel", our guide, who seems to have been chosen to open the doors to other realities and light the path with all his humanity.

A fascinating journey to the land of spices, coloured saris, arranged marriages. I approached smiling women deploying a deep and wise strength, carrying ideals, creative capacities, commitment, beyond submission and poverty, these beautiful faces full of light reveal perhaps "free women", moving forwards as if they were sliding across the floor. Women, children, revealing a wisdom which we must rediscover, which has never really left us.

Entering into the "Indian land" is like an entrance into priesthood, in a universe which suddenly changes scale, where needs must be reduced to a minimum and where excess has no place. Yet, the society in which I have been evolving for the last two weeks seems to me like a world filled with beauty and sacredness. Preserved in its setting, far from the perpetual distractions and excesses to which the technicity of mondialisation have cornered the "Western World", I am brought back to the purity of life.

While the country sleeps, I am awoken by the racket that agitates the towns, vibrant with a particular frantic atmosphere, with movement in all directions. Yet, the way of life which reveals itself in all its harshness seems to swim in a halo of peace, of gentleness and of nonchalance. between delicacy and discretion, I discover that no cliché comes to limit my imagination and the strength of the memory of Sri Devy, Madan, Sheila, is only more present.

I stay under the spell of India in its incredible diversity and vitality. It whispers that ardent truth to have never broken the connection with its origins, that extraordinary continuity. This was more than a journey in space and time, more than a simple trip, an authentic journey.

Abandoning my culture, and my certitudes, my questions in a land of poets and legends. It is the India of colours and the "silent noise" of life, there where beliefs are fullfilled with a communicative happiness when through all the doors, the crowd invades the temple in a continuous flow. A lesson of tolerance, humility and fraternity.

I feel a discoverer who prefers to approach the Indian culture without offending it, to live together differently and feel the inner strength as an immersion in life which regenerates, acting for the greater good of all.

Isabelle

Simply exceptional

We are slowly landing with a great joy in our heart. We lived an exceptional experience and it is the beginning of a close cooperation with our indian friends of Vimukti. Thanks to Arun Lobo, the project's director in Pothnal and our guide during this very intense trip. We came close to a colorful and surprising India. "Incredible India", the Indians say with a disarming smile.

Genuine meetings, skin-deep emotions and the feeling of going explore a different and nearby world because we have to share a lot with these men and women who welcome us with sparks in their eyes, creating a climate of confidence.

Step by step, with the help of both teams (Vimukti Pothnal and ensemble, agissons), we will discover a region and two teams who have created strong and lasting friendship to develop an educational programme for the disadvantaged, the marginalized people in this very isolated area in the North of Karnataka.

We watched, we heard, we gave all we could give, we shared too short moments of the daily life of the men, women and children who were welcoming us. During our stay, it was a great honour for me to inaugurate the "Child friendly programmes" in front of more than 400 people (children and adults) and about ten local and regional representatives.

We brought back a special collection of silk scarves and shawls and a lot of very nice terracota jewels handmade by women in Pothnal. The handcrafsts will be sold for the benefit of the association in the different events organized by our partners. We prepared a sponsoring charter for members who wish to build individual links with a child and his family in the Project. Schools exchanges are planned. We will be writing to you about them soon.

We have our hearts set on sharing all this with you when we meet and particularly at the annual general meeting in May.

A happy sponsor

When I decided to sponsor a child in India, In June 2004, Vishalakshi, my sponsoring child, was only 8. She is now a 14 year old teenage girl who warmly welcomed us, a rosebud in her hand, when we visited her in Ugire, her native village, in February 2010. According to the Indian tradition, she could be married with a hopeless future. With the help of our indefectible support and the local development Project in which her family adheres, she can now continue her studies. She would like to specialize in health work. According to her school results, she could become an nursing auxiliary, a nurse or a doctor.

When we met her for the first time, in 2007, we were deeply touched by the extreme poverty we found in her home. her father, Krishnapad, a coolie, her mother, Monamma, and her brothers, Diwakar and Prasad, welcomed us with simplicity and generosity in their very modest and dark house furnished with a bench, two chairs and a light bulb hanging by interwoven wires. Three years later, the house is repainted, the roof is repaired, there are openings in the walls for more comfort and light. The electricity works, the phone is hooked up and the food processor is useful to prepare frugal and various meals.

The two days in which we stayed in Ugire, we were taken in charge by the Capucin Krishik Seva Kendra who we met during our first trip. How marvellous it was to meet these men and women again who support the educational and health programs, built in 1999, with now 2 540 members coming from 30 villages (with 591 sponsoring children). Hilda, Martin and Babitah accompanied us on our visit to different schools. "Namaste, we are very happy to met you", the children stroke up in kannada. The teachers had rehearsed songs and local dances for this special occasion. In turn, we sang "A la claire fontaine" and "Frère Jacques". We met dexterous craftmen making pottery. we smelt the fragrance of jasmine in a wild garden. We met a very active group of women, familiar with microcredit. We shared gifts with Vishalakshi's family who consider our help as a blessing from the Hindu Gods.

We went back to Bangalore with a lot of emotion and deep joy in our hearts, sure to come back next year, to meet all the people who are now members of our large family.

Every single drop of water makes a mighty ocean

Introductory talk with Arun Lobo, The Vimukti Pothnal Director (extracts):

Respected Dignitaries on the dais, dear friends and my dear children:

In Pothnal, Vimukti has background of a decade. In different phases the project has worked in different areas of the rural conditions, specially focusing on women development programs and micro enterprise etc. Vimukti, planning to be an agent of change surveyed and conducted a situation analysis of the area and people. The major component reflected in the result is that the root cause of much of the problems in this region is illiteracy. The academic awareness and interest is questionable. We realized that any expected changes we want to bring in the society should start from educating the children. Education alone can bring the desired change and positive results in the practices of the people. Hence after a short break now the Vimukti is proud once again to inaugurate its new Project on child wellbeing. We are looking in to the future of the children we hope for a long term intervention in the field of education, personality development and overall growth of the children. In the past few months we have already begun remedial teaching in the schools, children clubs, tailoring units for the adolescent girls and computer coaching classes for the youth...

Today we see a team of volunteers from France, I am grateful to Mr. Daniel Helbert the President of "ensemble, agissons" an association in France formed solely to support the children in and around Pothnal. Today this Program would not be possible without their interest and the generous attitude. We also see his friends around here who are part of the same association. They have come to study the project and have a closer intervention with the children and the villages...

God bless all our Children.

Talk with Daniel Helbert, the President of "ensemble, agissons" (extracts)

Dear friends, let’s start by a little story:

A small child is walking on an immense beach. One by one he picks up the starfish washed up by million on the sand and delicately puts them back into the water. An old man, watching him, approaches and asks him: “What are you doing son? Can’t you see that your gesture is useless? You could never save all of them.” He lifts his eyes reaching up with a starfish towards the incredulous man and replies: “for this one it changes everything”.

I’m going to talk to you about the aims of the association but, at first, I would like thank Fr Arun Lobo and all the members of Vimukti’s community for hosting us with a large availability and heartily. We are very happy and very proud to be here among you today to inaugurate the "Child friendly programmes".

In creating the association "Let’s get going together ", we would like to pool our respective resources to launch and to support this new project in a very poor area in the Northern region of the State. Our ambition, our commitment, is to contribute as much as we can and with our skills, to carry out microprojects initiated by the local partners for the welfare of the disavantaged, underprivileged and marginalized people.

We know that we share the same values: humanity, generosity and solidarity. I always remembered these words, read on the green panel at Dayalbagh Ahsram: “For it is giving that we receive”. And we are here, today, to celebrate our mutual assistance.

Fraternally, I love you.

Support a local project

« ensemble, agissons » bring a financial, material and human contribution to the realisation of programmes initiated by Vimukti association. Managed by the Capuchin Franciscan friars since 1999, we have witnessed what a remarkable job Vimukti has done.

Together with a project director, a team of educators and youth leaders put in place an educational and health programme. The first phase started in Autumn 2009. A budget de 15 000 euros annually for a period of three years will help create a sustainable foundation for our support system. Regular assessments, organized by the village committee and the community, will be carried out and submitted to the people responsible for both associations.

Through a very diverse programme of activities, we will mutualise our human and financial resources. Cultural and sportive partnerships and events will be set up: cross-country biking, cycling and hiking, art and photographic exhibitions, shows, conferences, etc. All the initiatives are studied with great interest and the totality of the funds are given to the Pothnal project.

With personal funds, we will travel to India each year to meet the local partners. Assessments will be communicated to all the supporters and we will give an account of the project’s development on our blog.

For this one it changes everything

A small child is walking on an immense beach. One by one he picks up the starfish washed up by million on the sand and delicately puts them back into the water. An old man, watching him, approaches and asks him : “What are you doing son ? Can’t you see that your gesture is useless ? You could never save all of them.” He lifts his eyes reaching up with a starfish towards the incredulous man and replies : “for this one it changes everything”.

This is India

June, 2004: meeting of the humanitarian associations, place Bellecour in Lyon. For some months I was wondering about a commitment in service of the most underprivileged. The association "Un enfant par la main " awakens my curiosity. Sponsoring a child somewhere in the world, is to give him the material and human means to become an autonomous and responsible adult. Some weeks later I decide to help Vishalakshi, an 8-year-old little girl who lives in a distant village in India. With the passing days, the idea germinates to go and see her. Where and how does she live ? What is her family environment? How is the money of the donors used ? A visit to India, disconcerting and sometimes feared, became for me an absolute necessity.

April, 2007: Paris-Bangalore by direct flight. India with the numerous faces resounds as a challenge. Ten hours later, we are plunged in the midst of this Indian megapole where rickshaws, motorbikes, buses, cars, cows and pedestrians mingle in a cheerful cacophony. Bangalore, capital of Karnataka, nicknamed « the Silicon Valley » of India, became in some decades an agglomeration of 7 million inhabitants. The "Garden City" of the colonial epoch left place to a tentacular city. In unfinished buildings populations in search of a better future huddle together. The advertising panels extol the commercial values of a civilization with eyes fixed on the American model, following the example of this prefabricated cinema « made in Bollywood ». First shock with India going to modernity.

Near Mahatma Gandhi Road, the main street of the city, we negotiate the renting of a car with driver for a reasonable price. Driving in India is recklessness as we shall have the opportunity to check on numerous occasions. On board of our Hindicab, we zigzag between trucks and overcrowded buses, confident in our destiny. Ganesh, the son of Shiva and Parvati, the God with the body of a chubby-cheeked infant and the head of an elephant, is our bulwark against dangers and curses. Under the leadership of Nataraja, our Indian driver, we go to explore the eternal India.

Nataraja is a typical Hindu. He is dark-skinned, approaching fifty, he is part of a middle class which learnt to manage with the means at it’s disposal. His car serves as a house. His kindness has only its obstinacy of equal when he decides to please us. « It’ s a nice spot, I'll show you » ceaselessly repeats our guide in a confusing Hindis accent.

From the majestic palace of the Maharaja de Mysore to the relics of Somnathpur, from the small city of Ooty, stuck in the middle of Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu to the plantations of tea of Coonoor, from the seaside station of Calicut in the north of Kérala to Kappad Beach where the intrepid Vasco de Gama accosted in times past, we go to the meeting of the history, culture, style of life and psyche of these people distant by a million years from our habits and our western traditions. We are under the spell of these men and women of any condition, of any caste, of any religion, for whom a smile often serves as language.

In Mangalore, a small far western located port city of Karnataka, we contact Fr. Arun Loro, responsible for the Capuchin Krishik Seva Kendra, governed since 1976 by the Franciscan Fathers of the Province of Karnataka. Paul, one of the animators of the Project, accompanies us towards the small city of Ugire, near Dharmastala. We didn’t plan anything for the next few days. " Everything comes when it comes ".

« A warm welcome to Daniel, Bernadette and Hugo ». Vishalakshi, 11 years old, and the members of the team receive us with garlands of flowers in a language which joyfully mixes English and Kannada. We are overwhelmed with emotion by the festive atmosphere when we arrive at the office. Hugo, our 13-year-old son, is not the least surprised.

Arun Loro presents the Project. The voluntary organization under the authority of CCF India, was created in 2000 to develop activities in a rural environment. School, education, hygiene, health, nutrition, accessing to micro credit, promotion of trade, helping in the creation of business enterprises, studying in agriculture, control of irrigation, protection of the environment, pregnancy assistance, hospital reception and general help to the poorest families mobilizes about twenty social workers. Long-term programs concern 785 members from 17 villages.

With thin stature, the satchel over one shoulder, Arun Loro looks like St François d' Assise in modern times. His computer and mobile phone are as familiar to him as the motorbike he rides every morning to go to work. When he is not in meeting with his Muslim, Hindi and Christian team, he is combing the area to meet families, discussing with a group of children or checking the progress of a plan.

At School, They are waiting for us. « Nasmastee, we are very happy to meet you », children start singing together. The teachers prepared some local dances interpreted by a group of lively and gracious little girls. Bernadette, my wife, makes a short improvisation in contemporary dance in front of astounded children. « Here children are short of notebooks and pencils for their homework », the headmistress tells us later.

A short break at Vishalakshi’s home, where her father, a coolie, and his two brothers are waiting for us. A simple hovel in the middle of luxuriant nature. A gaping hole for the well, source of life. Two plastic chairs and a bench by way of furniture. An old radio, linked up with a hanging wire, shows a precarious electrical installation. These modest material conditions make us very humble. Vishalakshi and her mother come in the car which brings us back to the office.

A meal with rice is set on the table in our honour. Vishalakshi, has some difficulty swallowing the first mouthfuls. A banana is enough to satisfy her appetite. We propose to her to choose a dress in the private market. Her eyes are lighting up and she is smiling again. She also chooses a very nice sari for Monamma, her mother, some clothes for her father, Krishnappa and her two brothers, Diwakar and Prasad. She shows herself at this moment a lively, cheerful, attentive and bright child. In the Wikipedia encyclopaedia, the meaning of Vishalakshi is "the vast-eyed". We return home with gifts.

Vishalakshi’s father hastens, with a machete, to open some coconuts picked in the closest tree. We savour this precious nectar, synonymous with health and prosperity. We learn from Shakir, our interpreter, that the roof of the home needs to be repaired. We decide to entrust necessary money to plan for the job to be undertaken before the next monsoon. The small fairy in a salmon dress takes us away after her. The dog barks and the nourishing cow feigns indifference. But it’s time to go back to Mangalore. On the way, young teenagers are playing cricket.

It is the last day of school before summer vacation. The team of the Project organize a big meeting. More than 800 pupils, dressed in a blue uniform, march behind flags on the streets of the small city. We are received with honours. Bernadette is invited to speak amongst other local representatives. She participates with generosity and talent. Presents are distributed to the most deserving pupils. The ceremony ends, the young teenagers hurry around us. We are bombarded with questions in a good-natured atmosphere.

Beside Arun Loro who drives the jeep with confidence, we drive along at full speed, windows down on narrow and rough roads. "Very bad road" would say Maharaja. In the back of the jeep, five women accompany us with their bewitching singing. Two hours later, we stop near a river drained by the first hot season. At the end of the road, a hanging bridge leads to a small temple. The thousands of gold-fishes which proliferate in a pond are reminiscent of the biblical episode of the miraculous fishing. Far from our habitual reference marks, in the middle of wild and luxuriant nature, we enjoy the happiness of the present instant. We come back at nightfall rocked by the sound of klaxons and the jolting of the road.

In the peaceful monastery where Arun Loro lives, a simple room, equipped with mosquito nets and fans, is put at our disposal. Nataraja is treated with the same consideration. We share the dinner with the Fathers and the 40 young residents who attend theological studies here. The oldest Father of the community, 96-year-old, is nicknamed the guru. His kindly look radiates serenity and shows the spiritual energy of the place.

At daybreak, we visit the farm. The animals live in the open-air and everything is meticulously recycled. Flowers have the colour of the summer and birds invite us in their retreat. « For it is giving that we receive », we can read on one of the small green panels which marks out the lawn to the chapel. Bernadette is dressed in the traditional sari, a red rosebud in her hair. It is a real symbol for the young women of the team who accompany us.

A big house in the middle of the palm grove. On the pediment, the portraits of Gandhi and mother Teresa. While the head of the place is away, his wife welcomes us to the psychiatric hospital of Seon. We walk up and down in the middle of the rows of beds. We are being watched by men, women and children with wild eyes. We are deeply touched. Sitting a corner, an old woman stretches her emaciated arms to us. Her look, craving for love, abates our hesitations. We hold her hand for a long time. After, a child, the forehead covered with scars, struggles with the thin cord which keeps him as a prisoner. Created by Fr. Paulus in 1999, the ashram brings medical care, food and clothes to more than 300 residents, the elderly, raped women, widows, orphans and other victims of the street. Fr. Paulus has had numerous rewards in return for his exceptional devotion. Back from Bangalore, he clasps me in his arms. I already know that we will come back.

Fr. Alwins, the Superior of the community, calls me on the phone. He’s in Paris at the present time, following a master of 3rd cycle in French language. He suggests to meet us on a visit to Lyon soon. "Incredible India".

Vishalakshi comes running when we arrive at her home. Krishnappa climbs with an amazing agility to the top of the coconut tree. A neighbour comes to join us. We are filled with pictures, feelings, looks and mutual, shared smiles. Vishalakshi prostrates herself before us as her benefactors. Emotion is real. We leave our Indian family with wrung hearts but filled with great joy.

During the morning prayer in the middle of the young people who chant, singing to the glory of God, I feel a deep gratitude for this generous India which came to us. In Shingeri, we mingle with the pilgrims for the meal served free of charge at the ashram. Some of the faithful seem to make fun of our embarrassment to grab the rice with the right hand, according to custom. In the middle of this cheerful crowd, we feel a real communion.

We still visit the temples of Belur and Halebid before going back to Bangalore. Some purchases in emporiums before leaving, a last sign of friendship to Nataraja, and the plane brings us back to the country of our birth. Gorgia Manganelli, in 1995, in a brilliant tale " Indian Route " asked this question: « Do you like India? » While unfolding the story of my memories, I have the feeling that I have lived an incomparable human experience. « This is India and I love it ».