Support orphaned children at our Sunshine Homes

Hello all,

Love and Greetings from Sunshine Homes!

My name is Sameer* and I’m 17 years old. Being a part of one of the Sunshine Homes run by Udayan Care in Gurugram, I’m glad to connect with you and share the engagements that I and all the other children of Sunshine Homes had over the last few months. We participated in various fun activities and educational sessions, and we also went on excursions to Nanital in Auro camp! But before going into the details of the same, I would like to share the story of my friend Ramesh* with you, who is 15 years old and lived with me at Sunshine Home, Gurugram for a few years. His story is a personification of inspiration for us. I want to share his story to raise awareness among the masses about the superstition of people and the children get impacted and I really wish more and more people support children like us.

Since childhood, Ramesh’s parents struggled to provide for their family due to financial constraints. Ramesh has some issues in his left foot and his parents tried his treatment but couldn’t succeed. Superstitions around the health condition of child Ramesh, the family was forced by the community to leave the child at Temple, in the hopes that the child would be cured there. Ramesh escaped from the Temple in Bihar and found shelter on the stairs of the Temple in Gurugram. He was rescued by the child line and transferred to Udayan Care Home, Gurugram in 2019 for long-term care and protection by the orders of the Child Welfare Committee.

Ramesh was medically unfit at the time of his admission to Udayan Care’s Home. The initial 24-hour health examination was carried out at the Govt. Hospital in Sector 10, Gurugram which revealed that he has acute injuries in his foot. His treatment from a government hospital continued for few months. As the wound wasn’t healing, Ghar staff took him to the nearest hospital where it was diagnosed that the child is in urgent need of amputation of his left foot. His moment was very difficult due to deep wound at his foot. Thereafter through a volunteer, Udayan Care tied up with Medanta Hospital, Gurugram for the surgery, where his foot and toe were amputated in June 2020, and despite regular medication and treatment his wound was not healing, and the infection continued to spread. He was in severe pain, and we all get so sad when he used to shout in pain. He was taking medicine regularly.

In July 2021 Ramesh was again taken to the Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, after a thorough investigation, to stop the further spread of the wound Ramesh requires another surgery in which his affected legs below the knee part has to be completely amputated. Ramesh was provided with a prosthetic leg by an NGO.

During his stay in Udayan Care, Gurugram, he was engaged in basic literacy, through Non-Formal Education (NFE) at Ghar. He actively participated in all the activities of the Ghar. During his stay at Ghar our team was continuously following the childline and police in order to trace his family based on the clues that Ramesh has given to them. Ramesh was too young when his family left him at temple in myth that by serving God his wound will heal and he will be fine one day.

The long search for Ramesh’s family was finally completed as his family was traced, with the help of another NGO. They communicated with the family of Ramesh. Ramesh had also interacted with his family over phone. He informed his family that his wound has been completely treated and he is absolutely fine now. After three years of his stay he was restored to his family (based in Sasaram, Bihar) in November 2022. We are still in touch with him. I miss him very much. However I am connected with him through mobile and used to chat with him once a week.

Despite all the trials that came his way, the support and love of the Home staff enabled him to wade his way through challenges.

Millions of children worldwide are devoid of parental love, care, and support, with their futures at stake. We, the children at the Sunshine Home, want to reach out to people by taking them through Ramesh’s journey of growth so far at Sunshine Home. We want it to echo among people who can extend their helping hand to disadvantaged children. We hope that one day, every child will be cared for, and supported through thick and thin. We hope that one day, every child’s eye will shine with vivid dreams, and have the capacity to turn them into reality. We hope that one day, no child will be left behind.

Well, that’s all about us. Now, let me take you through some of the fun and learning engagements that took place at Sunshine Homes.

GANDHI JAYANTI

Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of the Father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Movie screenings and informative sessions are organised for all the homes and the children are encouraged to make posters and charts around the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.

DUSSEHRA Celebration

Dussehra, a major festival of India also known as “the day of victory”; denotes the victory of good over evil. The children from various homes participated in the community organised celebrations, such celebrations provide the children the necessary exposure and opportunity to engage in cultural celebrations. The children at every Home celebrated Dussehra with great zeal. They were explained about the significance of the festival. The children made effigies of Ravana using Colour papers, sticks etc. We all had fun during festival

DAAN UTSAV

Daan Utsav is a weeklong 'festival of giving' celebrated from the 2nd of October to the 8th of October every year. The children across all Ghars celebrated this festival by giving notebooks, pencils, and chocolates to children living in a nearby open communities. The children understood the significance of practicing the virtue of kindness and sharing in their lives.                   

Diwali Celebration

Diwali is one of the major religious festival of India and people celebrate it with greta happiness and joy. The Udayan homes were decorated with beautifuyl lights and children made rangolis and participated in celenrations organised by the residential associations. The children had a real celebration time during Diwali. The mentor parents of all the Homes also come to meet and greet children. The alumni were also part of festival celebrration. Diwali festival is a great reunioin time for all mentors, children, aftercare Young adults and alumini and they celbrater festival with great zeal.

Youth Camp at Aurobindo Ashram, Nainital

A week long Youth Camp fondly called the ‘Auro Camp’ was organized for the Aftercare Youth in association with Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, from 30th October 2022 to 5th November 2022. The Trust has been organizing such camps since 1977 as one of their Programmes, wherein youth across the country participate with joy to gather knowledge and spiritual awareness. The youth and staff were full of zeal and enthusiasm to experience this adventure as the trip came with a blend of fun and learning.                               

The mornings would start with refreshing exercises and musical games which would give an energetic boost to the children for the fun activities lined up for the rest of the day. After having breakfast, the children would go for awestriking treks, explore caves, and experience enthralling scrambling and rock climbing.

The trip was packed with exciting, adventurous activities and experiences which came across as an opportunity to build a sense of teamwork and strong friendships among the participants. The camp came to an end with moments of enjoyment captured in beautiful and scenic photography. With an adventurous streak of learning, the trip proved to be a vivid one.

Inter NGO Sports Event

On 19^th November, children from both the Lajpat Nagar Ghars and Vasant Kunj Ghar participated in Inter NGO Sports Event organized by Modern School Vasant Vihar. Children participated in all the events like the 100m race, 200m race, 4 × 100m relay race, sack race, hurdle race and tug of war. All the children have participated enthusiastically and were amazed to see the performances by the other children who participated from other NGOs while cherishing the hospitality by the children from Modern School. Two children from Lajpat Nagar Ghars won the Silver and Bronze Medal in 200m race and sack race, respectively. All children have received a Certificate for Participation and refreshments.  

Nakshatra

On 20^th November, a vibrant event called Nakshatra was organised by Bhumi NGO in North campus, DU. This fest provided a platform for children to ‘Dream’- exhibit their talents, ‘Discover’ their potential and ‘Dazzle’ in an atmosphere of healthy competition. It contributes to their holistic development through extra-curricular activities. The children were able to showcase their creativity and skills by participating in various events. Three children from Ghaziabad and Faridabad Ghar also won prizes in various activites. Nandini won 1st prize in Pot Designing, Mahi won 1^st prize in Pot Painting, Soniya won 1st prize in Poem Recitation and Prachi won 2nd prize in solo dance performance Bhumi Got Talent.

FICCI FLO Anshukam

The women's wing of the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) i.e., 'FICCI FLO' organized a grand National Level event ‘Anshukam’, a two-day event, with the subject 'Weaving Stories Through threads,' that showcased the work of weavers and craftsmen from different part of the country. Children from our Udayan Ghars enacted various street plays on social issues which were written and directed by the children themselves. Children also showcased clothes designed by Udayan Care’s other project- Udayan Skill Development center.

We would like to thank Jayanti Dalmia, National President, FICCI and Madhuri Halwasiya, National Initiative Head, FICCI for providing our children with this opportunity to showcase their talent.

Hoping to connect again.

Thank you!
Sameer