Thanks no doubt to all the good wishes, Bonniema and I have a trouble-free journey to the Dedication and Opening Ceremony for Child Haven’s new Children’s Home in Meu, Gujarat, India. As we approach the Home we slow down to squeeze past a herd of camels loping along the narrow country lane. Their awkward gracefulness is always a marvel. We arrive to a Home whirling with preparations for the next day’s festivities. The village Sarpanch (mayor) is coming along with other government officials and friends of the Home so a huge tent has been rented to shade the ceremony from the wilting sun. Asha, one of the older girls, and Monica, a girl’s Care-giver, work on making rangolis, decorations on the ground made from coloured rice flour, well into the night. As the gathering unfolds, the previous day’s hours of dance rehearsals are well evident. Everyone is hugely excited by the dance costumes rented for the occasion. Dimpal does a spirited solo dance performance, and a group of children dance the Garba, a traditional Gujarati dance around two of the smaller children dressed as the Hindu Goddess and God, Radha and Krishna. Deepak Kamra, who came all the way from his home in California, and Ramma Kamra, his mother, who came from her home in Ottawa, attribute the generous donation from their family that made the construction of the new Home possible to each other. Deepak says it is inspired by his mother’s values and love of children, and Ramma tells us it is her son’s hard work that made it all possible. As part of the proceedings they give out awards to ten of the children who are doing exceptionally well in school. The new Home makes it possible for Child Haven to double the number of children in our care in Gujarat from 50 to around 100. Not only are the new buildings spacious and well designed, but the new land they are situated on offers plenty of room for cricket, volleyball, a huge garden and plenty of fruit, nut and flowering shade trees. In anticipation of this additional space, new children are already being admitted to the Home. One little boy is an orphan whose mother died attempting to give birth to what would have been a younger sibling. His father died a few years later after a long struggle with TB. Another brother and sisters father died in a vehicle accident, and their mother, who works when she can as a farm-worker, following the harvest from place to place, could no longer provide for them. She comes to visit when she can. Another little girl’s father is in prison, and her mother is just barely managing to survive herself. As their pictures show, the cheerful and contented countenance of all of these kids speaks to the remarkable resilience of children when placed in a loving and caring environment. The ceremony is a celebration of the dedication to children such as these by the Kamra family and also that of the thousands of others who offer what they can towards the ongoing provision of food, clothing, education and loving care these children rely on and each and every child deserves. In the cool of the evening, after the distinguished guests are gone and the ceremonial tent taken down, children and staff join in a traditional Gujarati circle dance to unwind and celebrate the success of the day. Round and around they swirl, two steps facing forwards, clap, two steps facing backwards, clap, always circling ahead, each dancer with their own unique flourish and flair. A new family being born and re-born for these children; always looking forward, always looking back, always moving ahead. childhaven.ca
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 09:03:25 +0000
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