Follow my travels here - this is my psuedo-blog for the time being! 

Last year, I had the amazing opportunity to volunteer with the Dalits of Kothasatram and Indiranagar, two small villages in southeast India.  My experiences in India had such an impact on me that I've tried to remain involved with the mission to help Uncaste India any way that I can.  Right now Longitude, the organization I volunteered through, is doing incredible work to help a small grassroots Indian organization (ARV- The Association of Relief Volunteers) realize that mission. Check out this video for some more insight into how volunteers help!

In a democracy of over 1 billion people, the Dalits are still the lowest of the low. Systematically denied the same basic rights that most Indians enjoy, India's former Untouchable Caste still face discrimation everyday despite the official abolition of the caste system.  I believe we can help change that.

Currently I'm embarking on a round-the-world trip back home to the US from Japan entirely by land and sea. Thinking about  ways to make my travels more significant and stay involved with Longitude, I've come up with this - CouchSurfing to UnCaste India. Combining my two passions - responsible travel and involvement in grassroots movements like this - I'm hoping to spread awareness about the plight of India's Dalits as I make my way West through Asia and Europe.

Here's the basic idea:

So far in my travels I've encountered so many incredibly generous and kind people that I've been inspired to 'pay it forward' if you will. Everytime I receive some act of generosity from a stranger - a free place to stay for the night (CouchSurfing), a free ride (hitch hiking) - I'll make a small donation in their name.  If they feel the desire to make a small donation as well, all the merrier! But of course, my donation is in fact theirs, so by showing kindness towards others they are in effect supporting this cause.

I hope that by not only spreading awareness about this issue, but also spreading  the spirit of generosity, together we can create an ever-increasing network of giving and harmony. Afterall, serving the interests of others ultimately becomes the best way of serving our own interests!

Perhaps the words of Longitude's President, Shawn Rubin, sum up why we need to support this cause best:

Survival: Before a people can take care of themselves they need the strength to stand, a safe place to think and the confidence to smile. With the support of Longitude, ARV has established meal centers, started health clinics, and built 121 houses in Andhra Pradesh. 

Empowerment: Longitude's UnCaste India Campaign provides ARV and its local volunteers with the resources they need to help train and educate Dalit villagers. Helping Dalits learn trades and skills enables them to believe in their own value as people, parents, and members of Indian society. 

Equality: Dalit villagers do not enjoy equal protection under the law. This means that it is less likely that people who commit crimes against Dalits will face justice. It also means that the right to food, which for the rest of India is a right guaranteed by the constitution, is not always guaranteed for Dalits. ARV combats these injustices by hiring lawyers for victims of crimes and by encouraging Dalits to advocate for their constitutional rights.

 http://www.golongitude.org/www/Uncaste_India.html