Barnes in Common

the magazine of Churches Together in Barnes
May/June 2007

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Wells for India

by Jean Boulton-Reynolds

This bicentenary year of the abolition of slavery has increased our awareness of how slavery continues in its many forms today. I have a particular concern for the Dalit people of India and actively support Wells for India - a charity which seeks to bring freedom to these people in the form of a precious commodity - water. I wrote the following diary entries both during and after my first trip with Wells for India.

'I am hot, dusty, dirty, tired and physically exhausted after two weeks of constant travel by jeep in the Thar Desert - one of the driest and most remote parts of the sub continent of India and the result of mass deforestation. I am here with Wells for India, a charity dedicated to bringing life and hope to the tribal village people (collectively known as Dalits) of this part of Rajasthan through the provision of wells and water harvesting projects and life-giving activities.

'I have never been in a third world country before and so I am also challenged emotionally to see at first hand the struggle for survival in such hostile surroundings for people and animals alike. As we make our bumpy way through this desert land, we see many carcasses and vultures - evidence of the drought which has increased steadily over the last few years. These people have only three priorities: land, water, food and it makes me think about all the many aspects of life which we, in the West, consider to be so vital. We attend many village meetings and we are privileged to witness the dignity and pride of these people - the warmth of their hospitality overwhelms us.

'In my third week I have the opportunity to think through the situations and many personal stories I have seen and listened to. The newly formed Centre for Dalit Studies in Delhi is holding a week's course on the Theology of the Dalit Struggle. Here we reflect on the practical and spiritual ways in which these people can know the freedom and life that is promised by God to all people. We are further challenged through an exposure day in the slums of Delhi. We visit one colony where there is no water, toilet facilities or medical provision and that word "priority" challenges me yet again.

'Now I am back in England and it would be so easy to push the experiences and memories of my time in India down my priority list but the whole point of building relationship and living in relationship (which I believe is at the heart of the Christian faith) means that this is not possible. There is so much that I have learnt and I hope that it will be possible for me to visit these people again and to do what I can to raise wider support for them and for the Wells for India charity which is doing such incredible work.'

If you would like to know more about their work then please contact: Wells for India, The Winchester Centre, 68 St George's Street, Winchester 5023 8AH Tel: 01962 848043; email: office@wellsforindia.org website: www.wellsforindia.org

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