Visit to New Age homes

November 20th
Visit to New Age homes

New Age homes consisted of 45 kids and it was more than a shelter for the kids rather than a home. When we reached there we found that the person incharge was out of town and there was no one we could talk to or get details about the place. I was so much surprised to find that the kids were left without a person to control and it was very much hard to digest. My friend had got Bat and balls for the kids to play with. These kids were a bit free to move with. One advantage they had was that food was being served to them from Infosys(IT firm) which was near by the place. So a very important problem was taken care of… We started playing cricket and unusually I found that the team size was gradually decreasing. This was very odd because I have not noticed kids getting tired from playing cricket!!! Then I noticed that they had moved to make some drawings using the crayons that had been distributed to them by my friend. I was not much into drawing because I was not good at it J . After some time I found myself lonely as most of the cricketers have gone to try their hands in drawing. So, I build a lot of courage myself and joined the kids in drawing. I was just trying to encourage them to draw more and was appreciating whatever they had drawn. A few of them asked me to draw some pictures. I tried my level best to escape but they knew how to make me agree. When those sweet eyes were pleading at me for something I had no other choice. I prayed to God to help me draw something, which was somewhat less horrible. I made them promise not to scold me once I finish drawing. As I was drawing I remember those days when I was a kid, my mom used to urge me to practice drawing. Had I listened to her then I would have really made something useful to these kids and would have taught them how to draw. But even now I could teach them something. Teach them how not to draw J !!! I finished drawing a Dog and to my great relief the kids accepted that it was indeed a dog but I was so much certain that it looked like a cross breed between a Dog and a Goat. Then the bigger problem arises. I was sweetly tormented to draw few more pictures. I was more than happy that my drawings brought some smiles to these kids. I continued to draw when I felt a kid was hugging me at my back and held me so tight and kissed me at my ears. I didn’t know how to react. At that moment I felt a lot special. These kids have a lot of untapped love, which is so pure and divine than anything. All they need is some proper guidance. Then it was time to leave. Yet another day I could cherish in my memories forever.

Visit to Netaji Mercy homes

October 23rd
Visit to Netaji Mercy homes

Netaji Mercy home was located at the end of a very narrow street at Velacherry. There were about 25 kids residing there. All they had was a single hall to reside in and an open space to play at. We went there by around 11 and one of my friends was sponsoring lunch on that day. We got ourselves introduced to the kids. Some of them were so shy to begin with and so was I. But somehow I managed to conceal it. Then had a chat with the kids and then they performed a small dance. Had a look at the paintings they made. The guys wanted to play cricket and then we went to play in the small space in front of the house. Enjoyed the game a lot and I was as usual batted for some time and was given out by my team captain… unusual uh… One thing, which I really liked about these kids, was that they didn’t fight much and were so much disciplined. I wondered how many of us were like that at such a young age. I was so much impressed with this guy Vinod doing 8th standard, was so calm and composed all through the day and was helping the person in the preparation of food. He was also helping in serving the Lunch. It was time for lunch and the kids sat in the hall and formed a circle and before starting to eat sang together the Birthday song for our Friend. I was totally moved by that act. I had a very special feeling for getting a chance to meet those kids. We along with the Birthday celebrant served food and I am pretty sure that the Guy was more that satisfied to see the direct benefit of his kindness. Cheers to everyone who made the day somewhat better for those lonely kids.
But to be frank they made me happy in more than one way.