Tonight I would like to honor our teachers, and the hard work they put in day in and day out in the classrooms for the sake of our children. This young woman has always inspired me deeply, as she was the youngest of the teachers in Humana India's development program in her region.
Looking back now, she must have been barely sixteen when she began... and turned into one of the most dedicated in my experience. Her family is my family in Rajasthan, and they treat me like a son every time we visit. We have lunch when we are in their home, which doubles as the classroom for one of Nirvanavan Foundation's schools in the region. I normally lose count of the cups of tea served during our stay, but the number is usually no less than 3!
For those who are supporting the two schools in Rajasthan, she had been the leader in her village for the past ten years... having been married last year and handing off the baton to her younger sister. She always has a smile on her face, and when it is grand it lights the entire village.
When people disagree with the work, she stands up for her students without exception. Her parents are incredibly supportive, and her father is as peaceful of a man as I have ever seen. He receives respect without demanding it. Her mother stands behind her daughter and her work, as she does in this portrait with the fabric in her hands.
In her honor we continue with her school, and hope that one day all the girls in her village will follow her path.
Note: This image was made with a Canon G10.
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