response to Casey Sperry e-mail

It seems like another lifetime when we were sharing weekends at your cozy apt on front street. This is like a maiden voyage for me. First off in working hand on for a NGO and secondly to be in India trying to accomplish something great and pave the future for Lead Forward. I'm trying to learn how the system functions here in India, from everything to getting a check to a student to pay for their hostel to how the teachers are training students at all levels and how a day in the life of a Dalit student really is. Fun is something Indian culture lacks, in terms of spending money in your free time to have a day at the mall, go to a water park, or whatever else. When I ask our students what they do for fun or what their hobbies, they usually go hand in hand with their studies or they avoid the question by responding about something else. Sometimes frustrating, but it shows how different lifestyle is. I'm planning some visit to a few schools where are students are attendees and that will be interspersed with meetings and lectures on Dalit issues and organization for Lead Forward. Tomorrow we have a preparatory board meeting to discuss a list of details about helping to keep this organization functioning and helping create sustainability for its future if the US were no longer able to support financially. There are no concrete responsibilities though, but when I am well I am like an India investigator probing about life, culture, religion, politics etc, until i wear myself out. My diary is becoming pretty full as well, with some wild excursions that are mostly generalized on the blog. Keep on keepin' on! I'm on the lookout for Jews and Art besides political graffiti.... should keep me busy. A rich culture that you could take a lifetime to learn about, I'm enjoying!