As i looked outside the changing landscapes my mind was fixed on one thing. the destination. i was traveling alone in a foreign land with very little knowledge about the people. Even though i had been living here for the past seven months this area where i was heading was completely new for me.i was a little bit nervous as it was proving to be a very difficult task in finding the place and what might happen once i get there. but one thing which i was sure of was my aim and my need to be there.
After traveling through some bumpy roads and asking for direction from passerby's I reached my destination, the orphanage in "parvathi nagar" in Bangalore. I had read various personal experiences written by a few social workers in the past and I must say it had helped me get prepared for the trip.the first time i heard about the orphanage i had imagined a huge building with lots of happy kids with a play ground and lots of caretakers in uniforms, with classes and dinning halls and cute little bedrooms with beds covered with fluffy pillows. finally I was about to have my first dose of reality.
As it was physically impossible for the auto driver to take me to the place, i had to walk up to the orphanage. it was situated on a higher ground, small white building with a big blue painted board with writings in the native language. i assumed it says the "parvathi orphanage". i reached the place and was greeted by a middle aged man with a friendly face. "namastey" he declared by bringing his both hands together.with a little bit of hesitation i greeted him back with the same gesture.
I started off explaining who i was and why i was there and where i was from and gestured my hand in order for a handshake, all the while the old man had a questionable face, and at the mention of my college i noticed a hint of smile and he took my hand in return. he started off in both English and hindhi explaining how students of my college helped them.
I found out that the old man who's name was Samsun, and his wife was in charge of running the orphanage. it was their home and for the past eight years been a home for twenty eight kids from the age of one to thirteen. i asked if the government was helping them out in any way. samsun replyed that the only help that they get was from the students of my college. the students who belong to a social group helps them out with the clothing and food items which they provide by raising funds and by generous donations.
By then i was already being surrounded by the kids. They were curious about who i was but did not speak or smile. i kneeled down and offered a hand while the other touched my chest and i said my name out loud, i had to repeat this for a few time with the others as no one took my hand untill one of the boys came forward and declared his name as "raja" i smiled and shook his hand. some how everyone started to come up to me and repeated their names one at a time, i guess i earned their trust a little.
I had my camera in my hand and snapped a few pictures of them. they were curious of what i was doing so i showed them their pictures and was received with laughter's. by then Samsun gestured with his hands to follow him inside. one thing which i noticed was that the orphanage was very clean and tidy. i was first taken in to the living room and was surprised to find a television on one end of the room. the other end holded a rack with mats which i found out was used by the kids to sleep.
Through the living room i was taken in to an open area and found out that there was two more rooms one was for the girls and the other was for the boys. i didnt want him to be offended but i needed to see the condition of these rooms.without hesitation he opened the door for me and i was surprised to see that these kids were treated as one of their own. the couple who took these kids in had true intentions.they send the kids to the government school, and fed and clothed them well. the basic necessities were fulfilled for the kids and it gave me relief.
I asked him what was the problems that they face and how they overcome them. i found out that the main problem they face is having difficulty in finding clothes and uniforms for the kids. they over come most other problems they face by the generous donations which they get from the students.
I had already spend more than three hours in the orphanage and it was getting dark outside. i knew it was my time to leave and promised to return soon. i took some more pictures and Samsun walked by my side till i reached the auto. all the way the kids came up to me and took my hand and performed a handshake which i was unfamiliar with, suddenly i realized it was the hand shake of the social group from my college. i couldnt help by silently smile as everyone even the youngest and most shyest one did the ultimate goodbye handshake. i must say by the time i reached the auto i was already a pro.
No comments:
Post a Comment