Monday, February 2, 2009

Slum dog Ramblings

It was a blast from the past when I watched those kids playing cricket in the streets not worrying about anything else in life. Their attention solely dedicated towards making that one catch. A catch that mean't everthing to me at that time. A catch that was the only thing that mattered. Life was simple, my aspirations were simple. Everything is so convoluted now. I miss home, I miss having to make that catch.

The slums of Mumbai reminded of the slums of Nairobi where I used to visit. I wish I could take all you guys with me and re live that life. A life that without proper food or running water. A place where you might think there is nothing worth living for. But it was pure, it was simple, it was more real than anything I've felt in last nine years of my life in the West. As odd as it might seem, it was better, I was happier.

I think I'm meant to live amongst those people. A life that you might think is destitute. A life that I should want to run as far away from as I can after all my years of higher education here.

I need to go back and work in those slums …Knowing what I know and seeing what I have seen, continuing to live in this façade of a life would be a shame. It would dishonoring those HIV/AIDS widows whom I looked in the eye and promised that I will do everything to make the lives of their children better.

Please forgive me God for every second of my life that I delay in full filling that promise and give me the strength to full fill it.

8 comments:

mfm157 said...

Truly inspiring...

Kanis Fatima said...

God Bless You Ali Raza.....So proud to know you.

Jenel said...

You are an awesome person Ali. We can't wait to see how you change this world!

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

Hi, I happened to stumble upon your blogs and they are truly inspiring!

As people we sometimes forget there are those unfortunate few who need our special attention and care.

The work you and your collegues do is fabulous and so humane, I would love to be able to help the little kids and women. How can I volunteer for this work?

pls contact me: hinaraza@gmail.com

Amina said...
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Unknown said...

Very inspiring!! it truly made me think about my life. It's wounderfull what you do.
thank you for sharing

Angela B said...

I'm one of the 10 my friend. You are absolutely right on.. Americans are spoiled rotten and 99% of us don't realize how damn LUCKY we are. You are an inspiration to me... I share this information with many - in particular my 3 legacy babes. They will be humble, they will appreciate what they have and I hope that they can make a difference to the world like you do. Love you - Allah Bless!