Diwali: Be An Angel
Festivals are about bringing joy to oneself and to the people around you. And this diwali would count among the most enjoyable celebrations I ever had. We spent half a day with cute little kids. Kids who do not crib. Kids who never complain. Kids who are happy, always.
Early at 9 in the morning, we, a team of 15, started off to "Annai Sandhya" - an orphanage close to Hosur. With us, we had a lot of goodies - school bags, water bottles, pencils, pencil boxes and other basic amenities - to be distributed among the kids. I thought, it would just be a give-and-come deal. But the half day spent there wasnt enough, in the end!
Annai Sandhya is the noble idea of Mr Alwin Thyagarajan and his wife Mrs Jayashree. They started this social venture as early as in 1993. "Annai Sandhya" is a registered NGO. But gets no help of any kind - financial or otherwise - from the Govt. The day-to-day activities of the orphanage run, courtesy of well-wishers and helping hands.
Kishore has been associated with Annai Sandhya since a long period of time. It is through him that we came to know about the NGO. And soon a mailer floated at our BU level. The BU-ites took it in good spirit, and contributed freely, with their time and money. Thanks to them and to
the volunteers, we collected a good amount. Bags and other goodies were bought over the weekend. And a charged up team of 15 reached Annai Sandhya, with hand-full of gifts and chocolates to the eagerly-waiting young lads.
We reached the place at 9.45. The image of an orphanage that I had in my mind was totally brought down when I saw the building. Soon I realised that the luxury of single room with attached rest-room is for the priveleged class. What we found there was a small house-converted-orphanage. A kitchen, a hall, a bed room. Thats all! The kids were nicely dressed up and seated in the hall.
We were greeted with a fresh "Good Morning Uncleeee" "Good Morning Auntyyyy" , sung in chorus :-)
It was a while, since I had heard this style of Good Morning, after the good old school days. The kids mingled very freely with us. Kishore uncle was very much familiar to them. They made friends with new 'uncles' and 'aunty's. Language was no bar, because it was a conversation between hearts.
The kids chanted their prayer song for us. After that, quickly, a cassette player was arranged, and two kids danced for their guests. A well choreographed performance ! Graceful and cheerful show...
Two hours went in quick time. All kids got their favorite color water bottles from Sruthi aunty and Swetha aunty. Nandha uncle cut and distributed the cakes. Nehal aunty gave gifts and chocolates to everyone. Everyone posed with full face smiles for a group photo.
When we came out, we realised, they were not to be tagged 'orphans'. They have their appa (Mr Thyagarajan) and amma (Mrs Jayashree). They have strong bonded friendship with each other. They enjoy playing inside the confined space of their small room, and jump up and down when friendly uncles come to visit them.
While parting, Prabhu held my hand with both his hands, and asked "Uncle, when will you come next time?". That was true innocent love. I couldnt but say "I'll come. I'll come for sure."
Tail:
1. It was my first visit to an orphanage. Offering anonymous financial support is good. But being there and spending time with them is better!
2. The kids get free education from a nearby Govt School. They say its not of any considerable standard. But something is better than nothing!
3. The kids who danced for us were elegant and smart! They gave a professional feel to the performance.
4. The youngest of the lot is 3 yr old and is the pet to all. His name is Sankara, but has a nick name 'Lalu Prasad' for his resemblence with a minister of the same name :-)
5. In case you feel like giving any aid, I can volunteer to co-ordinate.. Posting a comment here is all is required to initiate this..
6. The BU initiative was held in the name 'Be An Angel'. Hence the blog title! The mail that floated for 'Be An Angel' read something like this. "Every child has the right to be fed, to be educated, to be healthy... And you can make it happen! Be an angel to a child, this Diwali and light the diya of happiness in his life.."
7. A couple of pics..
The dancers
Innocent smiles :-)
Early at 9 in the morning, we, a team of 15, started off to "Annai Sandhya" - an orphanage close to Hosur. With us, we had a lot of goodies - school bags, water bottles, pencils, pencil boxes and other basic amenities - to be distributed among the kids. I thought, it would just be a give-and-come deal. But the half day spent there wasnt enough, in the end!
Annai Sandhya is the noble idea of Mr Alwin Thyagarajan and his wife Mrs Jayashree. They started this social venture as early as in 1993. "Annai Sandhya" is a registered NGO. But gets no help of any kind - financial or otherwise - from the Govt. The day-to-day activities of the orphanage run, courtesy of well-wishers and helping hands.
Kishore has been associated with Annai Sandhya since a long period of time. It is through him that we came to know about the NGO. And soon a mailer floated at our BU level. The BU-ites took it in good spirit, and contributed freely, with their time and money. Thanks to them and to
the volunteers, we collected a good amount. Bags and other goodies were bought over the weekend. And a charged up team of 15 reached Annai Sandhya, with hand-full of gifts and chocolates to the eagerly-waiting young lads.
We reached the place at 9.45. The image of an orphanage that I had in my mind was totally brought down when I saw the building. Soon I realised that the luxury of single room with attached rest-room is for the priveleged class. What we found there was a small house-converted-orphanage. A kitchen, a hall, a bed room. Thats all! The kids were nicely dressed up and seated in the hall.
We were greeted with a fresh "Good Morning Uncleeee" "Good Morning Auntyyyy" , sung in chorus :-)
It was a while, since I had heard this style of Good Morning, after the good old school days. The kids mingled very freely with us. Kishore uncle was very much familiar to them. They made friends with new 'uncles' and 'aunty's. Language was no bar, because it was a conversation between hearts.
The kids chanted their prayer song for us. After that, quickly, a cassette player was arranged, and two kids danced for their guests. A well choreographed performance ! Graceful and cheerful show...
Two hours went in quick time. All kids got their favorite color water bottles from Sruthi aunty and Swetha aunty. Nandha uncle cut and distributed the cakes. Nehal aunty gave gifts and chocolates to everyone. Everyone posed with full face smiles for a group photo.
When we came out, we realised, they were not to be tagged 'orphans'. They have their appa (Mr Thyagarajan) and amma (Mrs Jayashree). They have strong bonded friendship with each other. They enjoy playing inside the confined space of their small room, and jump up and down when friendly uncles come to visit them.
While parting, Prabhu held my hand with both his hands, and asked "Uncle, when will you come next time?". That was true innocent love. I couldnt but say "I'll come. I'll come for sure."
Tail:
1. It was my first visit to an orphanage. Offering anonymous financial support is good. But being there and spending time with them is better!
2. The kids get free education from a nearby Govt School. They say its not of any considerable standard. But something is better than nothing!
3. The kids who danced for us were elegant and smart! They gave a professional feel to the performance.
4. The youngest of the lot is 3 yr old and is the pet to all. His name is Sankara, but has a nick name 'Lalu Prasad' for his resemblence with a minister of the same name :-)
5. In case you feel like giving any aid, I can volunteer to co-ordinate.. Posting a comment here is all is required to initiate this..
6. The BU initiative was held in the name 'Be An Angel'. Hence the blog title! The mail that floated for 'Be An Angel' read something like this. "Every child has the right to be fed, to be educated, to be healthy... And you can make it happen! Be an angel to a child, this Diwali and light the diya of happiness in his life.."
7. A couple of pics..
The dancers
Innocent smiles :-)
posted by Rat at 7:49 PM
1 Comments:
A touching article..
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