From the slums of Mumbai to Oscars in Hollywood

An Overwhelming success and response to “Slumdog Millionaire” has made many run to the theatre to check the buzz about this ‘rags to riches’ story of a teenager from Mumbai.  The critics have and will find the negatives about the movie, but at its core, the movie is about hope, resilience and human triumph. What truly amazes me about the movie is that Jamal Malik, Rubiana Ali, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail and all other children are not child artists, but real teens from the slums of Mumbai.

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“Wait until you go to Malawi”, my friend Anne told me. “My mom is going to make sure you have a real village experience”. We stood talking outside of my medical school campus, on the eve of my departure for this southeast African country, the homeland of my friend. We had spent many nights talking about her childhood in Africa, as she spoke of her family of 8 living in two rooms at the back of a church. She watched many of her school friends die of cholera, and when times were hard she ate the same porridge for every meal. She spent most of her life in a village, which she said is the heart of Africa, where most of the living and suffering occurs. Continue reading →

When I was a fourth year medical student, I traveled to Bangalore in southern India to rotate at a Baptist hospital there. I had been fascinated by India for awhile, hearing my Indian roommate speak Malayalam, sampling their exciting curry dishes, and especially hearing about the work of God amongst the poor and disregarded people of the slums. I had the opportunity to meet Violet, a cheerful middle aged lady who served as a chaplain for the hospital patients. She inspired me with many stories of people turning to Christ and even receiving healing after prayer. Continue reading →