Brighter Future for 4500 Orphan children in India

As a part of CSA’s Destitute Rehabilitation Project, I often visited Observation Home for boys and observation home for Girls. While talking to care takers, Guards and teachers associated closely with these institutionalized children I could make out that they always say that these children are so difficult to manage, they are so hyperactive and so we have to behave very strictly with them. Some teachers even complaint, that the boys also sometime do such a mischievous thing that the people who are staying in neighborhood come and complain to institution’s management. People come complaining that the children are throwing stones on their window glass just for the sake of fun. Some said that they purposely throw ball in their building and then keep shouting to get it back etc. the list will go long……..  

Thinking on these lines I often felt that this is happening because there is lots of energy which has to be channelized. While talking to the boys I came to know that they have very strict routine to follow and they don’t get much time to play. So I tried to appoint some sport teacher for them who will come regularly to coach them and thus children mind will not go on doing these types of pranks. But I could not find appropriate person for them. Hence I came up with idea to organize a sports event with the help of their teachers and care takers. The competitions like Racing for different age group, Kho-kho (regional games played in teams), Chess, Langadi Competition (hoping on one leg) etc. Approximately 200 girls and boys participated in competition from both the institutes. Since this was announce one month before the competition day so the kids started preparing for it. There energy was utilized in positive manner. The relation between the care takers, teachers and children improved. People from neighborhood enjoyed it by peeping out from their window.

The winners were honored by giving gifts, sponsored by CSA on Republic Day (26^th Jan. 2012) I hope the care takers, guards now understood, what they have to do is channelize their energy for positive outcome.      

Links:

• CSA news letter

Laxmi (name changed) was abandoned by her birth parents when she was just a year old. She was found by the Police and admitted to the SASOON Government Hospital in Pune. Mentally challenged, Laxmi was moved to an institute in Pune. The institute’s efforts to help her develop, unfortunately did not work; she had multiple disabilities. Today Laxmi is 10 yrs. old. She can use her hands to some extent but she has never walked! She understands Marathi but cannot speak.

By a High Court Order, Laxmi was recently transferred to the State home for girls run by State government. Earlier a residential arrangement for adolescent girls, the facility was recently, converted into a Home for Special Needs’ Children. In terms of special arrangements that such children require, the Home has none! CSA has helped the Home in many ways in terms of enhanced facilities as also, training and awareness programmes for Childcare and Social Workers. In one such initiative having provided surgical equipments like wheel chairs and walkers, we tried helping those kids who could not walk. Laxmi was one of those children.

When the walker was placed before her, Laxmi was very confused and nervous. Soon however, she stood, balanced herself and actually took her very first step! The joy on her face (that beautiful broad smile) had to be experienced; it gave tons of happiness to my heart! I am used to seeing her sitting in a corner with a sad and disturbed expression. This is the first time I saw her smiling. I hope this is her first step towards HOPE! I will watch her closely and always help her all the way. Her success will be my achievement!

Links:

• csa video