India by Della Burroway

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 16, 1908

India

By Della Burroway

OUR dispensary work in Karmatar calls us out to many villages, and brings us into close contact with the people. For some time we have been trying to close our eyes to their distress and poverty, excusing ourselves that we were doing what we could for the sick, and were not called upon to do more. The beggars who used to come to our door once a week now come about every day. To many of these also we have turned a deaf ear; as rice is expensive, and a rupee does not go very far.

Last week, while on the way to visit a patient, our cart was stopped by a little mud hut, where we found a man ill. He looked as if he were starving. We inquired what he was eating, and found that once a day he ate a little rice. His only relative was a boy who herded cows for a small allowance of food for himself, and this small allowance he divided with this man, who was his uncle.

As we were coming home that night, we inquired of the man who drove our cart about this man and others of his village. He was of another caste and village, so would have no object in misrepresenting their cases. He said, “Families live on one pow (half a pound) of rice a day. This they boil into mar (soup), the only meal of the day.” We asked him if the children did not cry from hunger. He said, “Yes, but what can they do?” They will not be able to get work until the rice season. Think of a family of eight or more living on half a pound of rice a day, not another thing with it, not even salt.

As we were about to come away from a village one night, a storm came up, and I offered a man two annas if he would drive us home, and leave the father of the sick child to remain at home. He fairly shouted, “Yes, memsahib!” As we started, we found both of the men going. They said, “We want to divide the two annas to buy rice.”

We have started a fund here in Karmatar to help these in need, and hope some of our brethren will add to this fund. These people will need help until they can get work putting down the rice. Many will need help until the rice is harvested. We realize that we

will have to be very cautious, or some may take advantage of our efforts to help. We have thought of charging perhaps a third or half the price of the rice to those who can get hold of a little money.

“Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.”

DELLA BURROWAY.