Since departing California in late June, Nithya and I have traveled to three states, four major cities, and over twenty rural villages for field visits in India. We’ve been on all kinds of trains, planes, and automobiles at all hours of the day to reach certain villages. Even though the transit routes are long (and Nithya took dozens of sleeping selfies of me), it has been worthwhile to meet new people in various places and to talk to them about their experiences using Awaaz.De’s voice messaging technology.
Taking notes after interviewing a farmer named Imran Bhai from Chotila, Gujarat
Depending on the village, we either try to meet in a central location or sit down at a beneficiary’s house. After starting the interview, a crowd containing of adults, elders, and even young children will form around us curious to see what is going on. They either greet us with warm smiles, a small bow, a classic Indian head bob, or a combination of the three, and people will always always always offer us chai. Men and women will quickly race to pour the hot chai in a small cup or round plate, but it will undoubtedly be extra sweet because of the numerous spoonfuls of sugar they add. This kind and thoughtful gesture from the beneficiaries and their families not only warms my stomach but also my heart.
Farmers in Kodinar, Gujarat giving us a tour of their groundnut fields
My favorite part of this experience has been getting to know the beneficiaries and their families better. Most of the interviews last around 15-20 minutes. However, there are some beneficiaries who are particularly invested in using Awaaz.De’s technology, so they talk longer and invite us to their homes. For example, on the first day in Kodinar, Gujarat during our Ambuja field visit, while conducting an enriching group interview with six male farmers, they gave us coconuts that they handpicked from their farms. Even though there are language barriers, we all sat around laughing and sipping on refreshing coconut juice. Then, the farmers showed us their farmland and newly built homes. We ended up walking around three different properties to see their bedrooms, kitchens, mangers, wells, and crops. Many of their wives and children, hiding from the heat by sitting in their homes with fans, would interact with us. They would point out new additions to their farms like tractors, irrigation systems, or livestock that they were able to buy after saving money. Proud of their own accomplishments, these farmers loved explaining each location.
Showing a grandmother, mother, and son a photo I took of them
I have some wonderful memories of interviewing people in the field. There are many people I’ve met with contagious smiles or a fun sense of humor that I’ll never forget. Generally all of the villages we have visited have been incredibly friendly. After understanding the purpose of our visit, beneficiaries are willing to answer our 25-question survey by sharing statistics, stories, their experiences, and providing suggestions for improvement. Some beneficiaries at the end of interviews tell us, “We feel so lucky you came to our village.” But really, Nithya and I are the lucky ones. These people have welcomed us into their homes without hesitation so that we can learn more about their lives.
One of my favorite experiences working in the field with Awaaz.De was during the CRISIL field visit. We were going to different villages near Guwahati and asking women questions about a financial inclusion program that used Awaaz.De’s technology as a supplemental piece to the program. Throughout our field visits Awaaz.De’s team members have been the ones translating for us, because many of them can speak multiple languages. For this visit, Drishty from the Engagement Team, and Elliot and Chirag from the Business Development Team came with us. On the second day, we talked to a particularly chatty women’s self-help group. As we were asking questions about the voice messages, the women became more enthusiastic to share what they had learned. Then we asked if they had saved the number. I’ll never forget the happy looks of surprise on the member’s faces when the women said they had the phone number saved under Awaaz.De. They both looked at one another and completely lit up. Then a few women pulled out their phones and showed us the contact name. As Dristhy and Elliot were reading Awajde or Ahwazde from the phone, they could not stop smiling with excitement. They were so happy with the responses from the women. Some women had saved the phone number and a few had even memorized it. It was a moment of surprise and gratitude in which they realized their hard work at the office was making a difference in people’s lives. Awaaz.De’s team members truly care for the use of their technology and its impact on others.
Kungalata showing her mobile phone with Awaaz.De’s number saved
An interesting part of this journey is coming back to India after having left for 8 years. Even though I was able to travel across the country while growing up in New Delhi, there were still many areas I had never been to. India is filled with hundreds of dialects, cultural norms, landscapes and ways of life. I’ve loved the opportunity to explore new cities, states, and villages. Spending time in Guwahati, Assam felt more like Southeast Asia rather than India because of the lush greenery and people’s distinct facial features. The towns of Chotila and Kodinar in Gujarat were heavily influenced by communities’ livelihoods of agriculture and livestock. Finally in Araria, Bihar, although known for crime and corruption, it seemed like the communities were strong and supportive of men and women wanting to work. These are only a few of the things I noticed during our travels. These experiences have furthered my understanding of how diverse India is as a country and the billions of people that live here.
With only a few days left, I’m trying to soak in all of the sounds, smells, and sights around me. It seems like 6 weeks have flown by in a heartbeat, and I’m suddenly reminiscing about all of sweaty interviews, 3-hour road trips, and long office days. Although I’m not quite ready to go back yet, I’ve had an unforgettable journey here in India. This experience has introduced me to hundreds of new people and challenged me in new ways. I can only hope that it won’t take me another 8 years to come back to this wonderful country.
Exploring Andalaj step well near Ahmedabad, Gujarat