Sunita and Munni

I rang Sunita today! My Hindi's pretty good, but it does tend to go down the pan when I'm on the phone and I was nervous about phoning her, but of course, I needn't have been. I was letting her know that the money I sent her is on its way. This photo of her and Munni with Carol was actually taken last February in India. Sunita is a hero of mine, she's an unmarried woman, of the sweeper caste, (probably the most insecure position you can be in India) who is raising her niece, Munni. And she's putting all of her effort and love into educating her. Sunita wasn't educated, she was cleaning floors since she was a tiny wee girl, she's now a cook, and she's quietly and determinedly making sure that Munni gets all the education she can.

Munni is the loveliest girl, she's studying hard, she's just finished her last year at school, and she hopes to go on to college and then to be a teacher. (Her exam results come out on the 3rd of June, Sunita said today). When Sunita told us that Munni wanted to be a teacher, it's a moment I'll never forget. As she looked at Munni, it was as if she could hardly contain all the pride and wonder that she felt.