“We were on tour in India. We visited Prem Kiran–a humanitarian project in one of the red light districts in Mumbai, and it left us in shock. To see women enslaved in such circumstances is an outrage, but to see their own children growing up in such a completely hopeless environment was a tragedy. But there was hope. The team working at the project were taking the kids off the street and housing them, feeding them and giving basic education. They were working alongside the mothers, helping them find order in the chaos–a little peace in the storm. It’s hard for a band to know how to respond to things like this. Mostly we just stood there with our mouths open and hearts wrenched out–unable to be put back the same. We knew we had to do something, no matter how small. And so we have committed to give part of our royalties to Prem Kiran. This money will primarily be able to put food in the children’s stomachs but also help to provide school lessons and eventually re-house them and their mothers. Thanks for buying this CD and becoming part of the solution. – D boys”
As I read this in the booklet accompanying Delirious?’s new album Kingdom of Comfort, I felt an immense sense of gratitude to the band. I was also humbled by the Love that motivates them to alleviate such pain.
These people in the “sovereign and secular” India live a life of hopeless despair and pain. The pain is so much that it numbs their hearts. All Indians know about this. The Indians who just get by hear it, see it and yet are unable to do anything about it. It desensitizes our hearts hearing it all the time. Such is life in the not-so-great parts of the Third World.
Then I got lost in thoughts of the people being helped….Thoughts the afflicted might be thinking as I got in to their mind…
As I was listening to the album I really liked the song “Love Will Find a Way”. The lyrics capture some emotions one goes through when thinking about these things…
I thought I believed but I just turn away from these souls living in this hell today
Tears are falling on my face from face
Love, love will find a way to break through
This Love, finds a way to shine through….
I try to make sense of the things I’ve seen between the poverty and the five star dream..
Love will lead me to your feet
Love won’t pass me on the street
Love will look me in the eye
Love won’t leave me here to die…
To your arms I’m gonna run and escape what I’ve become…
