Heartfelt Horizons

A service trip to Lakhania- a beautiful village in the interiors of Gujarat, about 50 kilometers from the Pakistan border. A trip we all looked forward to (with a lot of hesitation and doubt), a trip we expected to hate but came out to love, a trip we expected to be nothing short of "torture" but turned out to be a blessing in disguise. A trip that taught us gratitude, humility, resilience, and above all the true value of things that matter.

We were all hoping to be staying in an at least mediocre hotel, instead, we stayed at a Jain Dharamshala, a simple and serene place that embodies the spirit of spirituality and simplicity. The experience of living in such an environment was one of the first shocks of the trip. The Dharamshala was basic: no fancy luxuries, no comforts we often associate with even at a modest hotel stay. There was no air conditioning, no extravagant meals, and yet, there was something profoundly peaceful about it. It made me realize how much I had taken for granted in my own life – a comfortable bed, access to modern amenities, and even the ability to enjoy small luxuries like Wi-Fi or hot water whenever I needed them. It was a surprise, no doubt, but the greenery that enclosed (enclosed may be misguiding since everywhere we looked there seemed to be limitless lush green land, which was also a surprise since it was a desert region) the Jainalay and the beautiful, marble Jain temple in the Jainalay made our stay extremely worthwhile.

The moment we arrived at the village, I realized how starkly different it was from the life I was so accustomed to. In the city, we often take for granted the comforts that surround us – clean water, modern technology, well-maintained roads, and, perhaps most of all, the warmth of family in the privacy of our own homes. But in this village, the reality was very different. People here lived with only the essentials, with little room for excess. It was humbling and, honestly, overwhelming at first.

Every day was a lesson in humility. I had the privilege of working alongside the villagers, helping in whatever way I could. The people here didn’t have much, but they were generous with their smiles, their time, and their kindness. I was struck by their resilience and the sense of community and belonging they shared. Despite the hardships they faced, they never seemed to lose their spirit, and their sense of hope, which I quickly realized through our medical camp. One of the first "patients" we saw in the medical camp was a young girl, no older than 6 years, who told the doctor that her father had a "knot" in his brain, essentially a clot. Within seconds she burst into tears, saying that there was no cure. After talking to her mother, the doctor realized that her father had an inoperable glioma in his brain due to which he was unconscious and paralyzed, and on his deathbed. At the tender age of 6, this young girl was already experiencing everyone's worst nightmare- the loss of a loved one.

The medical camp was eye-opening and an incredible learning opportunity, not just because of the medical knowledge I gained, but because I saw firsthand how access to healthcare can change lives. Some of the biggest issues faced by the villagers were tobacco and cataracts. The nearest hospital to their village was 30 km away. This coupled with a lack of finance and facilities, made basic procedures difficult and impossible. To be able to help in even the smallest way was incredibly rewarding. Seeing the relief and gratitude in their eyes as they received treatment was a powerful reminder of how fortunate we are to have access to basic healthcare.

In addition to the medical camp, I also had the chance to teach the village children for a day. They dreamed of becoming doctors, teachers, police officers, dancers, army generals, and engineers—dreams that sometimes seemed out of reach given their limited resources. Yet, despite these challenges, their thirst for knowledge was unquenchable. I learned so much from them, not just about teaching but also about perseverance, the power of dreams, and the importance of education in shaping a better future.

While the community service was well-needed and extremely enlightening, spending time on Mandvi Beach, a stunning coastal location that offered a well-needed and well-earned break (though our teachers may disagree) has got to be my favorite part. As we rode camels along the shore and raced across the sand on ATVs, I was reminded that beauty and joy can be found in unexpected places. The sunset that evening was nothing short of magical – a moment of pure tranquility where the colors of the sky blended, reflecting the warmth of the people we had met and the beauty of the journey we had undertaken. The moment was a reminder that life, even in its simplicity, can be breathtakingly beautiful.

When I returned home, I found myself looking at the world around me with different eyes. I appreciated the little things – the quiet comfort of my home, the laughter of my family, the simple privilege of having food on my table. More than that, I realized how much of the world we take for granted. My time in the village was a wake-up call, a reminder of how lucky I am to have the support of my family, the resources I need to pursue my dreams, and the ability to make choices every day that many people don’t have.

But this trip also taught me something invaluable – the power of community, the strength that comes from coming together to help one another, and the beauty of a life lived with intention, even when it’s lived with less. The villagers taught me that joy is not in possessions, but in connection. It’s in the smiles shared over a simple meal, in the sense of belonging, and in the quiet moments of reflection.

This experience will always be a part of me. It was a trip that opened my eyes, touched my heart, and changed my perspective on life forever.