Rakesh (name changed) phoned me the other day. We have not met in years, but I remember him clearly. His idealism inspires me.
I first met him in a little village in Jharkhand where I had the joy and privilege of working among the poor. He was twelve when we first met. He worked at a construction site. He carried bricks on his head. I asked him one day, “Would you like to study?” “Yes, Sister, but we are poor. I cannot afford to go to school.”
His mother was no more. His father could not think of children’s education. Feeding them was his daily struggle.
Some good people helped me to help him. With their contributions, we were able to pay his fees and meet his other expenses as a student.
He joined school. He studied well.
All that happened over six years ago. He phoned to thank me for what I had done for him. He wants me to go back to his village. I would love to, and do what I can for the poor. Right now, I am mostly tied up with office work.
I asked him what his plans are. He wants to go to college.
“What are you planning to study?”
“Philosophy.”
“Philosophy? Why?”
“I want to enter public service. I have seen how you (Sisters) work for the people. You all do so much good. I want to do the same.”
I have received much love from the poor people among whom I worked. Their material poverty has not made them humanly or spiritually poor. There is so much goodness in so many of them. I have seen it first hand.
Here are four lessons I have learnt from working among the poor.
One: I have been happiest when I worked among the poor. Experience has shown me that happiness does not come from a comfortable life, or holding so-called “important” posts. I would love to go back to that poor village any day.
Two: We have much to learn from the poor. They are not simply recipients of our charity. They show a rich humanity which can make us better people. They are illiterate or deprived of many things, not because they are lazy or stupid, but because they did not get the opportunities that we have received. How well a number of poor children do when they get access to education! How generously they share the little they have! How courageously they put up with hardships day in and day out!
Three: The poor—as Rakesh shows me—are capable of idealism and a life of service, just like us, religious and priests. They are not simply looking for a better life for themselves. They are not looking for just material handouts, but for inspiring example and our loving presence.
Four: People can make out whether we love them or not. All human beings long for love and are capable of loving. As Mother Teresa often said, the greatest hunger is not for food, but for love. When we live among the poor as loving sisters and brothers, we not only respect and dignify the poor. They show us much love. Isn’t that a richer “reward” than material gifts or big posts?
I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to live and work among the poor. I am grateful to my materially poor sisters and brothers from whom I have learnt much. They do not have the opportunities, nor the human and spiritual helps we receive in abundance—education, hours of daily prayer, retreats, years of formation, medical treatment, financial security, … And yet, a number of them show a level of goodness, love and thoughtfulness which we, the so-called “chosen ones” would do well to imitate.
Thank you, God, for the goodness the poor have shown me.
Sr XYZ (name withheld on request)
To subscribe to the magazine Contact Us
