Rosemary for Remembrance

I just got a solicitation to join a trip with my college's alumnae organization. The cover letter went:

Won't you join me [dates] in Hyderabad, India to work alongside our team of women at [organization] as we seek to create a revolution of girl champions? It's an experience that, we think will change your perspective—and might just change your life.

To learn more and to register for this unique opportunity, please visit our website. We hope you will join us for a meaningful and memorable week of learning and empowerment.

At the website, I found:

$2,500 (per person/double occupancy), $520 single supplement
Trip Description: We invite you to spend a week with us in Hyderabad, India that most certainly will change your perspective and might just change your life. You will have the chance to work alongside [name deleted] and the visionary team of women at [organization] as they seek to empower girls from low-income schools to change their destinies.

We offer you an opportunity to engage with these remarkable girls, their families, and their mentors, whose dedication to improving the lives of young girls and their families will inspire you, in the words of Mahatma Gandhi, to “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

All this takes place in Hyderabad, one of India’s most dynamic cities, sitting at the crossroads of old and new, north and south, Hindu and Muslim. This IT hub is at the center of India’s technology revolution, earning it the nickname “Cyberabad.” This new, IT-focused population lives alongside the traditional Hyderabad of the opulent Nizams.

It's pretty obvious who this trip is designed to benefit, and it's not the remarkable girls of Hyderabad. The itinerary:

Sunday, January 18
o Early morning arrival in Hyderabad
o Evening welcome and orientation session

Monday, January 19
o Introduction to [program] and training by [program] staff to prepare people for the trip ahead
o Mentoring workshops with college students

Tuesday, January 20
o Mentoring workshops with college students

Wednesday, January 21
o Training for workshops with campers
o Work with Sakhis (peer leaders) in various government schools

Thursday, January 22
o Work with Sakhis (peer leaders) in various government schools

Friday, January 23
o Work with girls from low-cost private schools
o Session with domestic violence "peacemakers"
o Celebratory dinner at the Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad

I leave it as an exercise for the reader to balance the benefits to the campers of (A) two days of workshops led by wealthy tourists against (B) multiple donations of $2500.