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Learn more about Teach for Life, the educational branch of Trees for Life.
Orissa, India
The unfamiliar man appeared at breakfast time. I hardly noticed him as we rushed to get our equipment set up.
I was with a team of volunteers from the U.S. who had come to the Trees for Life Learning Center in Sambalpur, Orissa, India to videotape what was taking place there.
We were rushing to get an early start to beat the merciless heat. Very soon the temperature would rise to 110° F, so every minute of our day had to be carefully planned.
Orissa, India
The unfamiliar man appeared at breakfast time. I hardly noticed him as we rushed to get our equipment set up.
I was with a team of volunteers from the U.S. who had come to the Trees for Life Learning Center in Sambalpur, Orissa, India to videotape what was taking place there.
We were rushing to get an early start to beat the merciless heat. Very soon the temperature would rise to 110? F, so every minute of our day had to be carefully planned.
One of our Indian friends said that this man was a farmer who had come from his village to see Balbir Mathur, the president of Trees for Life. He wanted to speak with us also, but unfortunately we had a busy schedule to keep.
As we worked frantically through the morning, I noticed the farmer stood patiently to one side with a large black notebook under his arm. When we finally got a breather, I greeted him, and through a translator apologized for keeping him waiting.
He smiled and told me his name was Chakradhar Pradhan. He had come from the village of Jhanapada, some 40 miles away.
"How did you come here this morning?" I asked.
Chakradhar stated that he rode his bicycle.
"What?" I said in surprise. He must have started long before sunrise to arrive that morning on his bike.
"What brought you here?" I wondered aloud.
"Trees for Life helped me start my lemon trees," he said. "Now I am able to provide for my family. I brought pictures of my trees to show Mr. Mathur. He said I should talk with you also."
By this time David and Scott, two other Trees for Life workers, had joined us. Chakradhar pulled some dog-eared snapshots from his shirt pocket. "These are my trees," he beamed. The treasured photos had obviously passed through many hands. Now he asked us to keep them.
Then he opened his big notebook for us to see. Page after page was filled with careful records of his income and expenses. Although the writing was in Orriya script, we could see how meticulously the records had been kept.
"In the last three years my income has increased eight-fold," he said. "But you will understand these records much better when you see the lemon trees yourselves. You have to come see my trees."
We were in a quandary. We had such a tight schedule, and yet there was something compelling about this humble man. He was right. We had to go see his lemon trees. David, Scott and I consulted with each other.
"We'd love to see your lemon trees, but unfortunately we can't leave until four this afternoon," David, our team leader, explained to him. "We were not expecting you."
Chakradhar agreed. He patiently waited all day long, while we scurried around at a hectic pace. It was almost four when we could finally start for his village.
Chakradhar squeezed into the car with us and all of the video equipment. It took us almost an hour to get to his farm. As we drove along the hot, dry, dirt road, Chakradhar's story unfolded.
"Before starting the lemon orchard my financial condition was not good. I have 4 acres, but it is not good land. And there were no jobs to be had. It was hard.
"Eight years ago I learned about Trees for Life from other farmers in my village. With their advice I planted one tenth of my land with lemon trees. Trees for Life helped me get some of the best quality lemon trees available in the country. They were a special breed from Bangalore ? I could not have obtained them by myself.
"In between the trees I started cultivating vegetables, which helped me earn a small living. I reproduced my lemon trees, and gradually they covered the entire four acres. Then in the last three years it all started to pay off. Now I am earning more than eight times what I was earning before." He opened his notebook to show us the actual figures.
"How did you learn bookkeeping?" Scott inquired.
"I had to quit school after seventh grade. My father needed me to help on the farm. So I promised myself that as my classmates advanced I would also continue to learn. One of the things I taught myself is bookkeeping."
By this time we had reached Chakradhar's farm. As we set up our video equipment a small crowd gathered. Chakradhar started to bring people forward by the arm and say, "I trained him . . . I trained him . . ." They met us with shy grins, but there was also pride in their eyes. They looked like students receiving their diplomas.
"What do you mean you trained them?" I asked.
"When I got started with Trees for Life, I was asked to help two other people in the same way I was helped," Chakradhar said. "I give them seedlings and show them how to plant and care for the trees. I also teach them accounting ? it is so important."
"How many people have you helped?" I inquired. It was obvious he had already taught more than two people.
Chakradhar thought for a moment. "I figure more than a hundred by now." he said matter-of-factly.
"What?" Perhaps I had misunderstood the translation. "A hundred?"
Chakradhar simply nodded his head in agreement. I looked at him and felt a deep respect. Here was a man who had given of himself to hundreds of people. I felt as if I had just videotaped Johnny Appleseed himself.
It was late by this time, and the brilliant orange sunset gave an almost magical glow to Chadradhar's lemon trees. Nearby, his wife was holding their infant boy in her arms. I thought how, with only a small hand up from Trees for Life, this child will not have to give up his education because of poverty. Then I thought of all the unseen children of the people Chakradhar had helped, and what it means for their future as well.
As we left, the family gave us lemons, cucumbers, gourds and coconuts. I was very touched. As the car started to roll away we were discussing this ending to our day.
"It must be in the soul of these people to give," Scott said. David agreed.
I was silent. For me, the day's events answered a nagging question I had brought to India. I had heard many times about the Trees for Life commitment of each person to help two others. But I wondered, does it work out that way in reality? Do people really teach two others?
During my time in India, I was shown the answer many times. Now the living proof of Chakradhar's life was overwhelmed me.
I realized that giving is not only in the soul of these villagers. Giving is the very soul of all people. And that's what makes Trees for Life work.
