[Tessa] Week 1

 My name is Tessa Adzemovic and I am a junior studying Biochemistry and French. I arrived in Delhi late Tuesday night. I will be working for the Hope Project, an NGO in the Nizamuddin area of Delhi. It is divided into three parts: a health clinic, a school, and a microfinance program. Everyone has been extremely caring thus far and I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to be here!

A professor at the school of music at the University of Michigan sent me an e-mail with this advice regarding India about two weeks before my departure:

“You should be prepared to be utterly shocked.  I don't care what you've seen on this side of the world, if you grew up in E. Detroit or Harlem or Watts or Compton.  This shit is DEEP.  The abuse, neglect, poverty, corruption-that-causes-it.  It's just heart-wrenching.  Bless you for doing what you're doing.”

So far I have found this to be accurate. What I have seen in the last few days has been unbelievable. From a man covered with tennis-sized boils on the street to child slave labor, I am already shocked.

That being said, I am enjoying acclimating very much. I have already taken to wearing kurtis and eating with my hands. Everyone has been so generous with their time, energy, and laughter when it comes to supporting me.

Namasde from 110 degrees,

Tessa