Mumbai – The Land of Bollywood & Slumdog Millionaire

There was a real mix of emotions coming to Mumbai – excitement to finally see the work of Vision Rescue first-hand, a concern that I wouldn’t have enough days and some apprehension knowing that it was only weeks since a terrorist let off a bomb right where I was to depart from the train.

Departing Mumbai I was so touched, inspired and yes, my concern was validated - I certainly did not allow enough time in this city. I did not lay eyes on any one of the tourist sights – no Gateway to India, no Taj Mahal Hotel and no Bollywood films BUT I felt like I was a local and my oh my, it was so refreshing.

To rewind, I checked with the men I shared my carriage with where Dadar station was and when they prompted me, I departed the train. There were no signs confirming the destination, so thinking the train was early, I joined the scores of people pushing and shoving their way up the stairs, after nightfall, in the rain. I was waiting for my pick up and looked around with a feeling I was not where I should be. I picked out a young girl and asked where I was, to which she replied Thane and told me it would be a 45 minute train trip to my intended destination. So I called and called until someone picked up their phone and was told to wait until someone came to where I was and got me. An hour later I was kindly fetched, then two hours and a gigantic dosa later, I was at the hostel. Needless to say, I fell straight into bed.

The next day I was picked up by the lovely Rajesh, along with the two volunteers from the UK whom I soon befriended and we later arrived at Vision Rescue HQ. Vision Rescue targets slum areas where children are not attending school. They drive around mobile school buses and the children jump on and have a class, are fed and then the bus moves onto its' next destination. My day started with a devotion, then it was time to board the buses. Over the next couple of days I saw some beautiful children, learnt some Hindi and was incredibly touched by the work of Vision Rescue. There were mothers asking the staff where they can find a church and to see the way they blessed a worried mum with a child that has malaria was amazing. To add the the list I also got a very expensive dessert at Häagen-Dazs with the UK kids and left I left the city absolutely exhausted. I could go on but at the end of the day I had a wonderful time and was privileged to be a part of it, even for the briefest time.