Oh friends, this post is long overdue. I should have taken the time to introduce you to my team here in India months ago. I am a part of the aftercare team (in case you weren't sure) and obviously I am bias, but I believe they are the best team a girl could have asked for in this experience! So please let me introduce you to them, and give you an idea of the superhero's I get to work with daily! Here are some pictures.
Pranitha was the fearless director of this team for the last ten years, and just recently left to continue her work for justice at another organization. She is tiny in stature but is larger than life, and has a powerful voice for those without one. She lead our team with fierce strength, and we miss her much, but are continuing to work hard and make great strides for our clients.
Tasha, is possibly one of the sweetest girls you will ever meet, she has a huge smile and heart, and one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard She is our teams admin, and without her we would be lost. She is always willing to lend a hand, explain excel (I struggle sometimes) and encourage us along the way.
Loretta began working with IJM just this past December but is full of knowledge and passion which makes her fit right in. She is currently our acting director, and has handled the transition and stress with much grace. She is also doing the work of a case manager, overseeing clients rehabilitation, and doing so with a smile on her face.
Helen, I consider her to be regal, she is always so beautiful and so full of grace in all that she does. She takes me silly banter and gives it right back to me. A lot of her cases have health issues, and that means doctor appointments and follow ups and often frustrations, though there is a lot of joy as well. She is eager to always learn, and just embraces her clients with such an open heart that is full of so much love.
Solomon has one of the largest case loads in numbers, and although he often finds himself overwhelmed he is one of the most dedicated people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. If he is able he will do anything in his power to see his clients succeed and if he can't do it he will work hard to find someone who can. He is also one of the Ukelele boys, and if your lucky enough to hear them play it's lots of fun!
Barnabas is one of the funniest guys I know. Becky calls him Barnacle and in turn he calls us things like 'trouble' and 'tornado'. He is dedicated and strong in his work. He is passionate about justice and the call that has been placed on his life. He oversees our freedom trainings and leads with confidence that is to be admired. With cases of his own he sees a need and is ready to face it head on to ensure that our clients receive what they are due and more. He is also a ukelele boy! I will have to upload a video of them!
Stephen is our newest case manager though he has been part of the team for a while. He started out overseeing events, but because he is so awesome and finally realized how amazing social work is he has been promoted. He oversees one of our largest and furthest away project area. He is someone who quiet at first (i think that is an act haha) is full of a ton of wisdom, and great observation skills. He is a problem solver, and we are so lucky to have him on our team.
Gladys is our government benefits liaison, she spends days in government offices, submitting petitions and advocating on behalf of our clients. She works tirelessly to ensure that our clients have the essentials they need when starting fresh in a life of freedom. Her tenacity is something to be admired.
Not pictured is Limma, because he just began working with us a couple months back, but he works with Stepehen. He is quite quiet in the office, but is super smart and full of knowledge. He speaks a bunch of languages, and is always observing which are some pretty important skills in these parts. He has been a great addition to our team.
Sonali is a volunteer with our department, she just finished her bachelors in psychology and is going to get her masters this fall in the UK. She is hard working, willing to do whatever the team needs, and is an insanely quick learner.
Becky, Leah and I, each have our own roles though we are mostly there as support. For Leah, this is her second year with the team and she is super passionate about the cause and our clients. She has a masters in social work and is smart and has tons of experience that she is so generous to share = ].She works with both Stephen and Loretta, as well as overseeing our database and such! Becky has a bachelors in psychology, and has pretty much decided that a masters in social work is the next step (I mean come on who would't? haha). She is energetic, willing to help anywhere and great with kids. She currently helps Gladys and Solomon, and I know they both appreciate her dedication a ton. As for me, I work with Helen and Barna, doing whatever they ask and I love it. I love to see their dedication and to learn from their experience
There is so much more I could say about each one and it would take a book to have it written down. This team is hard working, full of love and compassion and the calling to bring justice to this world. They work long hours, sometimes every day of the week. They take calls at all hours of the day and night, buttttt they are also some of the most fun people full of joy and laughter and jokes. I feel so lucky to be a part of this team, to learn from them, to get to know them, to be able to call them friends. God knew what he was doing when He placed me here, and for that I am thankful daily. I wish that all of you at home (or wherever you are) could meet each of them personally, to see their smiles, to experience the pain, to revel in the joy that comes with being a part of this team, but since that's not really possible I hope sharing them with you this way, gives you an idea of superhero's I am surrounded by. This team is in this for the long haul, for the days that seem never ending, and for the joys that make it worth it. When slavery is history in India these amazing people will be in the books as being a huge part of it.
Although there are days when I miss my family, I feel so blessed to call my team my family. My heart will always be a part of this place, and for that I am forever thankful to 'my team'!Thanks for joining the journey friends <3
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