Margaret Kuffner ’25

Margaret Kuffner with Indian families she worked with

A Cup of Chai

When most people think of India they picture bustling streets, crowds of people, and flavorful spicy food. These all are true, but after spending a semester abroad completing a global public health field study around the country, when I think of India, I picture drinking freshly made masala chai with aromatic cinnamon, a touch of cardamom, and a lot of love. 

I had the unique opportunity to spend a month conducting maternal health research at the Comprehensive Rural Health Project in Jamkhed, Maharashtra. These 28 days were the most meaningful, heartfelt, and eye-opening of my life. The women of rural Jamkhed showed me what strength, resilience, and unconditional love truly mean. 

I experienced Indian culture at its core and was welcomed with open arms into countless villages and homes. Many of the moms I surveyed were my age but lived a life I could never imagine. Our responsibilities, daily routines, and languages were different but what initially connected us was a cup of chai. 

In India sharing tea with someone breaks down caste barriers and insinuates solidarity. These women concocted their unique chai and then sipped alongside me gleaming with pride. This first sip bridged the gap and gave me a glimpse into their lives. Without hesitation I was welcomed with open arms into their homes, many just small huts constructed out of scrap metals. I interviewed them with the help of my translator and they proudly recounted their experience with female empowerment and engagement in the birthing process. 

My favorite memory is the afternoon I spent with three sisters on their remote farm. These women were confident, bold, and eager to share their lives with me. We rode their ox and cart around the property in the gleaming sun as we tried all the fresh produce. Communicating in my broken Hindi, we laughed while discovering what each food was. The kids played with me and mimicked my pronunciation as we devoured guava, fresh peanuts, chile, and custard apples. I grew up thousands of miles from this area yet simple games from my childhood like hide and seek transcend continents and were a joy to play with these young children. To round off this once-in-a-lifetime day, we rolled out a blanket and sat overlooking the horizon drinking chai. My face hurt from smiling so much, and I was in awe of how willing and open these women were to spend a day with a stranger.

These women no doubt have hard lives. They do back-breaking work, are married off at a young age, and face patriarchal discrimination daily but, despite that, they treat me like a fourth sister. These mothers of Jamkhed will always be what I recall when I think of my semester abroad. 

Margaret Kuffner ’25
January 2024

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