Two years ago, I found myself in my father’s childhood
hometown. Unlike the carefree cows, I was always on edge as I explored the
chaos of this unfamiliar environment. One day on one of my treks, the constant
commotion and noise were suddenly parted by towering, yellow arches that sprang
up suddenly amongst the chaos. Meant to evoke the rising sun, the optimistic
gate seemed to serve as a barrier from the outside world. Within the gates of
the Civil Hospital, lay the virgin hopes of a new day. Outside the hospital
grounds poverty and suffering were routine, but in the clinic, there was only
happiness, hope and strength.
From new sights and sounds, to unique smells and tastes,
everything in India is an exploration. A child came up to me gaping. From just
one look, I could tell we were the same yet completely different. Our clothes
and even our teeth were worlds apart. This child along with many others
suffered from cleft palate: a congenital split in the roof of the mouth. This
severe birth defect affects physical, vocal and nasal development, but even
though these children were struggling, they never showed it once. Coming from impoverished families with
nothing but their deformities, these beautiful children still had shining smiles
that lit up the room. I spent my next three weeks volunteering to care for
children with cleft palate.
Amongst these children there was a little girl; despite our
different cultures she was playing with the same tea cup I once had and I was immediately
drawn to her. I grew very fond of Anuska, this goofy six-year old girl with the
biggest dimples and whose kind personality I absolutely adored. Her birthday
was around the corner so I asked her what she wanted. She simply stated, “I
want trucks of food. I want to make sure that every child in India can go to
bed with a full belly.” Her response completely shocked me. This little girl
wasn’t asking me for Barbies, video games, or clothes. She was asking for a
cure! I wondered if I could find any child back home with such a big heart and
dream.
I promised myself from this moment on, that I would do everything
I could to help children suffering from dental conditions. If a little girl
with so little could have such passion and dedication, I know that nothing can
stand in my way of becoming a dentist. I hope that one day I can go back to
India and help children like Anuska, but in the meantime I’ve come to realize
that we who have absolutely everything will still continue to crave for more.
These children with nothing but love in their hearts, strength in their souls,
and big dreams will be triumphant role models for a brighter tomorrow. These
little ones left me with a big smile on my face and everlasting memories
forever etched in my being. They left me with a newfound strength and positive
view on life that will be with me a long time. This journey taught me that a
nation will eventually be known for all the things that make it beautiful like
inner happiness, eternal hope and ideas of simple living and high thinking.
I thought I would share this story, because you never know how
an experience can shape you. This one trip opened my eyes and helped me to
decide on my future career path as a dentist. It’s important to try and
experience new things since today is just where your book begins, and the rest
is still unwritten.
-Serena Ghodasra
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