Well yesterday did not go AT ALL as I planned – what day ever does? However, it was quite a roller coaster. I got up in the morning for my last day of volunteering at Kalighat. I took the bus to the Mother House (only the 2 correct buses this time!) and arrived on time. I had some tea and a banana. After morning prayers and songs, the Sister asks those whose last day it is volunteering to come to the front and everyone sings a “Thank You” Song (We thank you thank you thank you, we’ll miss you, we love you, from our hearts). It’s really nice, and a great idea. This wasn’t something we did when I volunteered in the past. I think that it’s a great way to make the volunteers feel appreciated. I noticed on the board in the volunteer room that there are sessions for the volunteers to get together and talk as well. Anyway, most days there are quite a few people whose last day it is, but that day, it was only me and a guy I’d met the day before at Kalighat named Brandon. He’s here with an NGO that will be working with young adults in northeast India. It was good to have someone else at the front of the room with me, (and while singing along I had someone to sing to, rather than just myself).
My Pass to Volunteer at Kalighat
Afterwards, we all headed over to Kalighat. I had been having problems with my lap band since the day before and I got another air bubble right before we left, but seemed okay again as we got to work. The morning progressed as usual, doing laundry, hanging it on the roof, interacting with the women. I asked the Sisters if they needed any help with the dressing changes and the Sister let me help with a big wound. A woman had a diabetic ulcer on her foot that had progressed to a huge wound – you could see the tendons in her feet. There were very few bandages to choose from, and only a couple of ointments. Not the stuff she needed to treat her wounds appropriately. She was very stoic about it, though, clearly depressed about the whole thing and not interested in anything anymore. It sucked.
A little while later, the patient I had listened to the first day at Kalighat came to the women’s gathering area. With the encouragement of one of the ayahs, she started singing and dancing. Some of us clapped along. She was adorable, and had put a pink duppatta (scarf) on over her hospital gown. I was glad to see she was happy. She really improved the mood in the room.
Since it was Sunday, the front foyer of Kalighat had been set up for Mass. One thing I appreciate about the Missionaries of Charity is that they don’t proselytize to the people they help. It isn’t a condition or requirement for their care that they come to the services and participate or listen to sermons or anything. The Sisters are simply there to help them, not convert them to Christianity. However, if the patients want to come to the service, they are more than welcome. In a predominantly Hindu nation, that can be pretty important, and especially when they are ill or dying, people just want care, not lectures or attempts at conversion. (I got the impression that not attending the mass wasn’t really an option for the volunteers, however). So the Sisters and volunteers and a few of the patients had mass. There were a few Brothers of Charity there and the father who did the sermon was from Italy (his accent was very strong).
Afterwards, the volunteers went to take our tea break. I got another air bubble, and unfortunately was unable to keep my banana down. I tried to fold some laundry and help out during lunch, but I had to excuse myself and go hang out where I was able to deal with my issues discreetly. But frustratingly, it took up my time and I wasn’t able to do much else to help out and thus, my time at Kalighat came to an end.
As group of us volunteers headed to the metro together, I was still having trouble with my stomach. The previous day had been ridiculously hot (I believe the heat index was around 110F (44C?). Yesterday was barely better, and with my nausea, and dehydration I felt so horrible I excused myself and took a cab to my sister’s house where I cried and promptly fell asleep. I was still hoping to see the other volunteers one more time at the volunteer appreciation event the Sisters were hosting that afternoon at Bishop’s House.
Unfortunately, when my sister woke me to see how I felt a little while later, I was still not able to go to the volunteer event. I would have enjoyed it. These volunteer appreciation things were not something that was done when I came to work here in the past, and I am happy to see how the volunteer program has developed so much over the years. I also would have enjoyed seeing the people I had gotten to know over the past week again. Not all of them volunteered at the same home as I did each day. Also, I know some of them were putting together some skits and songs to present. I do know, however, that I can’t do everything, and sometimes have to pick and choose.
Sisters and Hot Fudge!
My sister and I spent some very mellow time together that evening. We watched a movie and hung out in the A/C. We also called our mother and got her famous hot fudge recipe and made some to put on ice cream for a little taste of home! I am very lucky that my sister is so supportive and great! I don’t know what I would have done without her. I had felt so terrible – physically, about how the volunteering ended, about missing the volunteer event, etc. It was nice to have someone to talk to who knows and loves me. The patients have the Sisters to care for them, but luckily, I’ve got my sister, and I’m extremely happy with that!