KAMLA

KAMLA

Kamla has been with us for a month and a half now.  I have had a chance to get to know her a little better.  She is a mountain girl born and raised in Ghorakhal near Bhowali.  Her marriage is what she calls a “love marriage", rather than an arranged marriage.  Her husband asked her to marry him.  She knew him by reputation and knew him to be a good man.  She asked her family to arrange the marriage. 

Kamla says her husband has had a rough life.  His parents died when he was five.  He was then raised by his grandparents who also died.  He was then sent to live with his Aunt who was mean to him.  He completed the fifth grade and has been working odd jobs to survive ever since.

Kamla loves her husband dearly.  When she was sick he carried her miles several times to the Doctor on his back.  She says not many husbands would do that.  We have had the opportunity to meet him.  He seems like a kind and decent man.  One can tell he cares very much for her also.

Kamla has three children, boys eight and ten and a daughter three and a half.  She is working to provide them an education and a better life.  In order to save money Kamla chooses to cook over a wood fire rather than spend money on gas.

In the short time Kamla has been with us, I have grown to care for her.  She is smart, resourceful and shows initiative.  She is always laughing.  It was Kamla that found the cottage we are going to rent.  While we were talking about how to manage the move she had already arranged for a pickup truck and help! I was astonished.

My husband and I both feel that Kamla will be a part of our lives for a long time.  While we cannot help all of India we can help one family.  We will help educate Kamla's children and help with other family expenses as well.  In short Kamla and her family are becoming a part of our family.