labor; I'm just saying they thought it would be a better option in life than the crappy hand they were dealt. Most would agree that from a standard of living perspective it's actually a step up from what their families knew back home. In a population that big, you'll always have some people that are having a worse-than-expected experience.

Having volunteered in these places, I do not see the real problem as risk of death (very small) or standard of living (terrible, but no worse than back home); it's loneliness. The psychological torture of being far from their loved ones--or worse--not having loved ones--and there being virtually no eligible female population for them to court. I won't go into details, but it takes a terrible toll on these guys in what should be the prime of their lives.

They are resourceful kids though and most of the guys (those not being hounded by The Guardian) do find little ways to find joy--mid-afternoon naps and prayers, Friday cricket in the desert, etc. They are simple, but good souls, just trying their best with the hand that's been dealt to them. Most of us simply do not perceive the depth and breadth of poverty on the Indian subcontinent.