You may recognize this photo of a little girl named Maya from my "report" from my first trip to India. I met Maya at the beginning of my 1996 trip, and we became fast friends. Knowing that a person can't simply pick a child up off the street and "save" him or her, I hoped that I would still find some way in which I could help her.
I haven't finished my "report" of my first visit to India, nor have I written much at all about my second trip to India. The rest of the story goes essentially like this...
During my first trip, I talked to my friends at CCF in New Delhi, and asked if they had any suggestions about ways to assist Maya. They told me that they do not have any organized assistance programs for street children in Delhi, but they would help me to contact an organization that does. Unfortunately, I was unable to contact Maya and my friends at CCF at the same time, and was unable to make a connection. I later sent photographs of Maya and her family to the office. They told me that they looked for her, but in the large city, were unable to find her.
When I again travelled to India, I hoped, but didn't believe, that I would find Maya. Homeless people rarely stay in the same place, as the police will "urge" them to move on. However, one of the employees at my hotel remembered me from my first trip. When I showed him the photos of Maya's family, he told me that he recognized her father. Within a day or two, I was speaking to Maya's father. She was in a nearby village visiting her grandmother, but would be returning soon. At this point, I still would not allow myself to truly believe that I would see Maya.
After spending time in Southern India, I returned to Delhi for one day before going home. My friend at the hotel, promised me that he would help me to find Maya before I had to leave for the airport. But, as I was returning to the hotel after one last visit to Sangeeta, my mother's sponsored child, I saw a child begging in the streets that looked an awful lot like Maya. I took my things to my hotel room, and asked the workers there how to ask, "What is your name?" in Hindi.
It took a few minutes to find the child, and I was still unsure. I didn't even finish asking her name before she answered, "Maya". She then paused, her eyes got big, she broke into a grin, and she grabbed me in a hug. It was then that I allowed myself to be overjoyed. We were hugging and kissing, but unable to speak to each other. Not surprisingly, people standing around were wondering what the heck was going on, and it was easy to find someone to translate.
I told her that I'd like to help her go to school if she was willing. She was very interested, and so we took off in an auto-rickshaw, travelling around visiting my various contacts in the city. Everyone was as stunned as I that I had actually *found* the child. Much to my heartbreak, no one really knew what to do with her. I had thrown them for a loop. As a result, I had to again return home, failing to help Maya in any lasting way.
Although discouraged and afraid of facing failure once again, I decided that I would continue to try to find a solution from home. I believed that I would again be able to contact Maya with the help of my friend from my hotel, and felt sure that there *must* be some organization in a city such as Delhi that could help her. I just had to find it, and then ask my friends at the CCF office in Delhi verify the legitimacy of the organization. However, I found myself putting off letter-writing and research. It was a difficult thing for me to think about.
Finally, I remembered that the former CCF National Director for India in New Delhi is currently working for CCF in the U.S.A. After a bit more procrastination, I wrote a long email to him, explaining the situation and asking for help.
It took less than a day to receive a response. In essence, I was told that I no longer have to worry. He would help me to find a place for Maya, either in a CCF Project, or with another reputable organization. I can hardly express my relief and joy. I now only have to wait for confirmation, and then provide them with the information necessary to find Maya. Before long, I expect I'll be sponsoring a fourth child.
This "journey" isn't over. A suitable place for Maya has to be found. Maya herself has to again be found. Her family has to allow her to attend school. Maya will have to learn to adjust to a structured environment when she's used to the chaos of the streets. I'll have to adjust my budget to include sponsorship of another child. But, I believe that it will all work out. I've learned a valuable lesson in perseverance and faith. I can't wait to see what the future brings.
Would I recommend hoping that you can "save" a lovely child that you meet when traveling in a poor country? No way! There are too many factors involved in a situation such as this. I am fortunate to have very helpful contacts in the field of social service in the city where Maya lives. In addition, it's become clear to me that helping Maya is part of God's plan. I have worked very hard to have patience, to not give up, and to not have a set idea in mind what *I* think should happen. This is just not a normal situation. It's a miracle.
Update: April 6, 1999
Yesterday I received a message from my friends at CCF in New Delhi. So far, the news isn't good. The first several organizations that they contacted were willing, but unable to accommodate Maya. However, I believe that they are as determined as I to be successful.
I was told, "We have not given up our hope even now. We shall try to get in touch with some more organizations/institutions and find out if something can be done for Maya. There will be some organizations who can provide a suitable place to Maya, so that she is able to attend school." I am so thankful for this level of support. I can't help but believe that before long I'll have wonderful news to share.
Update: July 16, 1999
Wonderful news! This morning I received a message from Delhi to let me know that they have found someone who may be able to help. I will be emailing a woman who is a member of the Delhi government's Juvenile Welfare Board. She may be able to help me to place Maya into a government run residential care institution. I am simply thrilled.
One more step on the way to success!
Update: September 28, 1999
Today's news is not so great... My new contact in Delhi sent her social workers out to find Maya. They had intended to meet with her and her family several times to determine what the best situation is for her, and to ensure that she was indeed interested in joining school. Utilizing the information that I gave them, they were able to easily find Maya's father. But, the news he gave them was not good.
They found, as I had suspected, that Maya's father is involved with drugs. Even worse, little Maya was married off and sent to her husband's village in April. I simply cannot express my feelings about this news. My friend is attempting to contact Maya's father-in-law, and also is continuing to work to place her little brother Sunni in school. I don't know what the future holds for these beautiful children.
Unfortunately, this situation is not too surprising. Although Maya is quite a bit younger than most children in her place, it is a reality in many parts of the world. Intellectually, I know this. However, being that we're talking about a child that I love, it is particularly hard for me to accept. This simply makes me more determined to support CCF, because I know that they work within families and communities to end such practices.
I'm determined to keep faith, and continue to love the children as best I can. There is much about this story that I don't yet know, and I'm blessed with wonderful support. If it is possible for me to do anything to assist Maya and Sunni, I have faith that it will happen.
Update: January 10, 2000
No news isn't always good news... But, it is better than bad news.
My contact in Delhi has attempted to make further contact with Maya's father to try to see what can be done for Sunni, but has met with limited success. It's a complicated situation, though, and she's promised to keep trying. I'm sending a few gifts to Sunni through her... tokens of affection, and shameless bribery. :)
I have tried to contact Maya by writing to her father-in-law at an address given to my friends by her family. I haven't yet heard from her, but may still... Also, one of my valuable contacts at CCF is looking into finding someone nearby to search for Maya and check up on her.
Update: January 20, 2000
I received surprising news by email early this morning:
Maya is NOT married!! My contact in Delhi found her when she was out searching for Sunni. After questioning Maya and the family, she determined that Maya had been engaged to a boy from their family's village, and she'd been sent to live with his family. But, she didn't like it, broke the engagement, and returned to Delhi. :) That's my girl! When asked why he told them that Maya had been married off, her father responded that he didn't really see that there was a difference.
Maya told my friend that she didn't like living in the village. She has a lot more freedom on the streets of Delhi. She said that she's now selling sticks from the Neem tree, which village people and poor people often use to clean their teeth. The father was clearly under the influence of drugs, and is apparently involved in the sale of drugs. I do not know, but it is possible, that Maya and Sunni are also involved in this.
The good news is that Maya is not trapped as a child bride (yet). However, my contact is very concerned about the lack of cooperation of the family. (Maya's main concern seemed to be if I had sent any money for her.) I am thrilled to know that it is still possible to remove Maya and Sunni from the streets, but am very aware that it may be a difficult task. The father is clearly a horrible influence on the children and completely untrustworthy, and the children are reasonably affected by their lifestyle. I have seen a clearly (and understandably) manipulative side of Maya, but have also seen an endearing child within her. It is my hope that the child hoping for love and a good life will win the "internal war" with the hardened child of the streets.
There's hope now, but more patience is necessary. Will the children realize the opportunity presented to them? I don't know. I'm contacting several people to see what advice they have regarding this situation. In the meantime, if you're a prayerful person, please send up your prayers for my beloved kids.