Today was quite the cultural encounter! We went to visit the rural village schools that plum village has started and sponsored, some of which were indiginous tribal comunities/ethnic minorities. [In thay's absence the "youth for socal justice" organization, many members of which are now quite old, has been working hard.] The first school we visited consisted of two small rooms; one with desks and one with plastic woven matts on the floor. The children were small, dark, and beautiful!
The parents work all day in the coffee and tea plantations for rich men who live far away. Thus, the children are left home with no supervision, food, or $. Many have died from accidents or malnutrition. So being in school is not only a matter of education, but it is a matter of life and death!
The two busses full of Buddhist, do-gooder tourists crouded in the doorways and windows. The children, crouched in the back of the room like scared animals, were made to sing for our intertainment. However joyful they were ment t appear, many of them were frightened and some cried. The tall, pale creatures with strange machines for faces and flashing eyes hovered above them. I all of a sudden felt like I was at the zoo. [My friend Ryan often goes to the San Diego Zoo and photographs humans gauking and photographing primates...its a thought-prevoking perspective.]
When we reboarded the bussesI shared my observations with the entire group, using loving speach, and thanked them for their awairness and compassion in the future.
The next few schools we visited were much better. Many of us sat down on the floor, so we were at their level, and sang songs with the children. We were all smiling and laughing together...an improvment I think. I've had many people aproach me through out the day and thank me for my words.
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