Concrete Jungles

Raymond Zhou

My time in Kolkata has been quite an unorthodox learning experience. There are some experiences that have left a profound impression on me.

Kolkata has added a very human component to everything. It's easy at home to skip a World Vision TV ad or neglect the bucket collector for the Salvation Army on the corner of the road. However here, it is impossible to ignore the beggars and homeless lying on litter lined lanes. Admittedly, it did take me a while to feel any sentiments towards these people. But then you realise that someone's rickshaw is their livelihood and house or the fact that some child has to shower in the streets (from, quite frankly, disgusting water) it put things into perspective. Back in NZ it is easy to just sympathise, to say "I pity them" or "that's just unfortunate" but then simply move on, not act on it and continue with our privileged lives. Yet, being able to experience the atmosphere these people live in, adds another dimension to my understanding. It's much harder to forget the needy eyes, the missing limbs or the skinny fingers holding onto you. It's difficult not to remember the pungent smell of rubbish or urine these people sleep amongst. 

Nonetheless, despite these negatives, Kolkata has also shown me the kindness of humanity. My afternoon with the young girls (aged 5-12) at Future Hope has been the highlight of my week. These kids, most of them off the street, with such a tough upbringing, were still able to touch and energise a group of teenage boys. Simply incredible. Their attitude of servitude and gratitude, made me know how privileged I am and appreciative of the life I had been blessed with. We often complain about not having wifi, not having your phone (which for the duration of this trip, has been a blessing in disguise), no electricity or even just not having hot water. These "first world problems" have become more of a joke nowadays, but when you realise that none of these kids know what clean water is or the fact that not being full after a meal is perfectly normal, you realise that these are "the real world problems" that actually matter (excuse the cliche). Sitting in the room, being amongst the smiles and laughter ushered the feeling of guilt upon me as I realised my complaining and negativity have resulted in nothing meaningful. I have been left wondering. What makes me so entitled to my privileged life? Why do I have so many opportunities, and why do I waste them? How come I am so blessed to live such a comfortable and ignorant lifestyle? What makes people who have the least, give the most? What makes people with so little live a more fulfilling and purposeful life? 

I know most of this will probably sound cliche but these are the genuine feelings that  Kolkata has left me with. This place has certainly left me with more questions than answers and one of which is why the hell I am writing this late in the night before a 5am start.