The Khasi Hills Unitarian Child Orphanage

Unitarian boy peering through the window.

After four days straight of traveling and sleeping on the floors of various train and bus terminals I finally arrived in the Khasi Hills of India's NE state, Meghalaya. Known as the Scottish highlands of Asia the Khasi Hills are just that; rolling hills of dried grass and barren rock, whipping wind and a thick fog.

Two years ago during my time as a camp counselor for Unitarian Universalist youth, a friend of mine mentioned a small Unitarian congregation somewhere in India. Unitarian Universalism is a liberal, all inclusive, non-denominational faith that teaches the morals of all faiths (without the dogma) while pushing for social change such as immigration and LGBTQ rights, and Unitarianism is it’s grandfather religion not commonly seen today. During one of my most recent projects in Varanasi I remembered this conversation and began looking around for contacts with hopes of finding the location of this community. One week later, through a series of emails from multiple contacts, I was introduced to a delightful man named Nangroi, who invited me to stay in his village and with the local Unitarian congregation of over 10,000 individuals.

Three 'brothers' eating lunch together.

Visiting each beautifully modest church house of the village allowed for discussion of hardships with the local, predominantly farmer population. With Nangroi and his wonderful family helping as translators I was informed about the rural difficulties of crop prices, medical aid and literacy.

Potatoes, the regional cash crop grown, yield a meager value when brought to market. The flooding of this mono-crop in the market place makes it very hard for families to raise their income and better their standard of living. Due to the rural location of the Unitarians in the Khasi Hills, medical aid rarely makes its way to the villages, forcing people to travel several hours to a hospital in the nearest city. With most families numbering from 5-10 people per household, it becomes a struggle to support everyone with their usual salary, which is equivalent to $400-$500(USD) per month.

Boy trying to find space away from the other children.

At the edge of Kharang village I was shown the Unitarian Child Orphanage for the Khasi Hills. Approaching the door I was introduced to each child with a bashful handshake and a lively, English, “How do you do?” The Unitarian Child Orphanage, currently housing 20 children (10 boys and 10 girls) ranging from ages 6-15 rests on a several acre plot with forested hills, jungle paths, small creeks and little pools. With a simple terrace garden, worm compost bin and their own personal water pump, Nangroi and other members of the UUNEI (Unitarian Union of North East India) hope to eventually raise enough money to build a health care center, school, community fishery and edible jungle garden to help with fresh fruit and medicinal herbs.

Dinner time in the kitchen.

Usually each child travels to the nearest school house each weekday but as I was lucky enough to visit during a winter break we were able to spend our time climbing through the forest, playing tag or getting in some quality fun on the swing and slide in the playground. Around meal time the older of the children who have been delegated more responsibility would join the two 'mothers’ of the house, helping prepare the main meal of rice and potatoes. After clean up play-time continued into the night and when the electricity would cut out the darkness would be filled with giggles and flickering candle light as play-time would scurry through the dark. After reading English books by candle, group songs and rhymes were sung before the nightly Earth, Wind & Fire dance party.

Learning to read English by candle light.

After such a long time on the road documenting poverty and child desperation it was such a wonderful time getting to know these brilliant youth. Even though each of them has lost at least one parent and still deal with emotional swings from pain it is a beautiful thing to see each of them come together to support one another and create an even larger family.

To the children at the Khasi Hills Unitarian Child Orphanage, thanks for making me a friend and teaching me to play Cricket; I promise I’ll do better next time.

Woman watching a storm fall outside the kitchen window.