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In Hindi, the word, "sahara" means "a refuge". This 4 story house, located in the center of New Delhi, India, is just that - a real refuge from the noise, heat, dirt, suffering and crime of this city of12 million residents. Sahara House is home to over 70 people who have a drug problem. They are overcoming their habit with the help of caring and informed staff who live on site and walk residents through intensive rehab. Those who complete the program often stay on as staff at Sahara and also work at their sister facility, Michael's Care Home.
In 1998, when actor, Richard Gere visited India he asked his host if there were any organizations in Delhi working with HIV victims. Sahara House was the sole organization who actually housed and helped individuals stricken with HIV. In fact, they had just opened "Michael's Care Home", a hospice for people with full blown AIDS, staffed by Sahara House graduates. After contracting HIV through intravenous drug use, one Sahara resident, Michael, had died of AIDS. During the final days of his illness; which were the most difficult for him medically and emotionally; he was treated without dignity by the medical community of Delhi. Sahara staff helped him and watched his lack of treatment with dismay. Shortly after Michael's death, Sahara staff planned and worked to open a home where HIV victims could be treated with care. After visiting Michael's Care Home, the actor, Gere, donated money to help purchase a small ambulance for the patients.
Today, Michael's Care Home staff help patients beyond their own walls. They daily visit hospitals, meeting patients and talking and praying with them. Sometimes they are the only visitors these victims receive. Many have been disowned by family and friends and have little to do but wait while their immune system deteriorates and one of India's many diseases attacks their bodies.
After completing his Sophmore year at a university in Vancouver, BC Canada, Jon Haseltine decided to take a break and see the world. Teaming up with a non-profit volunteer organization, he travelled to Peru, Mexico, Nepal and India. He trekked the Himalayas, taught English in Peru, and worked on building sites in Mexico. By far, though, Jon insists that the most impacting experience of his travels occurred in New Delhi, India - in the 4 story house called Sahara.
PH: What was it like to travel to India?
Jon: Indian culture is vastly different from ours, or even from what I saw in South and Central America. The Indians were more humorous than I expected, and my lack of Hindi language proved not to be a barrier at all. We made contact through sign language and mime. One day, a man we met at a barber shop took us halfway around the city and spent hours with us. I think we spoke 3 words of English the entire time, but we connected in spite of a lack of words. Indians are incredibly hospitable.
PH: What was it about Sahara House that impressed you so much?
Jon: The Sahara staff and residents were real. They never hid their past, but seemed to want to relate without pretense. There were no caste issues in the house like in other places throughout India. Everyone seemed accepted, known, and included. They wanted us to know their stories, even the negative stuff. I hadn't seen such transparency in all my travels.
PH: Would you go again to India?
Jon: Yes! But I think I'd want to volunteer at Sahara the whole time - or at least with people like them.
PH: Has this changed your perspective on the rest of your life?
Jon: Undoubtedly, I have been affected by what I've seen in other nations. My experience at Sahara, though, taught me something about myself as well as other people. The residents there hid nothing - they wanted to be accepted for who they were, even if they had made mistakes that they regretted. They were looking for someone to know all about them and love them anyway. They were willing to share their life with me and others - even if they might appear to be awful people. I think this will affect most of my relationships in my life. I know it has changed my own way of relating to people. I want to be honest as a person - I also want to make people comfortable - accepting them so that they can be free to be honest with me.
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"You and I have been created for greater things. We have not been created to just pass through this life without aim. And that greater aim is to live and be loved and we cannot love unless we know. Knowledge always leads to love and love to service..." Mother Theresa
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