Great Ram and Alpana!
Is there a website for Snehalaya?
Any contact number?
Barua
_____
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
Behalf Of Ram Sarangapani
Sent: Sunday, February 11, 2007 7:59 PM
To: ASSAMNET
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Partha Gogoi;
Chan Mahanta; Lukose Cheruvalel
Subject: [Assam] A 'different' kind of visit to Assam
We just came back from Assam from a short trip. Trips are always short,
even though we spent a few days more than usual.
This trip was a bit different as it was one of the most fulfilling ones
we have had. We ignored the usual frustrations with erratic power
supply, or the fact that phone service is just as bad, or of the traffic
congestions etc, etc. This time we availed the opportunity to visit a
few places where a few people are making a big difference in the lives
of many.
Snehalaya
Some of you must have already heard of Snehalaya and of Fr. Lukose of
Don Bosco. Chandan da had introduced netters to Snehalaya and about the
excellent work that Fr. Lukose and some volunteers (including a young
lady from California) are doing.
Snehalaya has several centers in Guwahati, and is basically a shelter
for abandoned or runaway children who have no place to go. The centers
provide food, shelter, and clothing for these children. Many of the
older children go to school during the day. The center also provides a
place where the children get involved in extra-curricular activities,
such as , learning to cook, singing and dancing, reading and writing,
and generally try to take care of themselves.
Fr. Lukose and his small band of volunteers pick up these children from
the streets of Guwahati and bring them to their shelters.
During our visit, the children sang a beautiful song, welcoming us, and
the girls danced to a song that was beautifully choreographed.
The glint of hope in the eyes of those children managed to put a big
lump in our throats and made us wonder whether we had let our lives go
by just like that.
Parijat Academy
We were introduced to Parijat and its founder Uttom Teron through a
video presentation by Ankur Bora of Austin (at Rajen Barua's home).
So, we made plans to visit the academy at Guwahati. Alpana also made
sure to pack some children's books, puzzles, and flash cards. These we
understand (later) were a big hit with the children.
The academy now has 54 young children, and 8 (mostly volunteers)
teachers. The entire Teron family has put their hearts and souls in
making sure that the poor and unfortunate in the surrounding 7 tribal
villages have a place where their children can get some basic education.
As it was the year-end, we could not, of course, meet any of the
children, but we could hear their laughter and playfulness through the
thin, mud walls of the couple of classrooms.
The Teron family also invited us to a fabulous lunch (baali-bhat) -
cooked outside, and we ate under the trees. This was just out of this
world, and their hospitality knew no bounds.
Alpana tried to hone in some new skills by trying out dhaan-jara etc.
We are also trying to organize an agricultural project for the future,
so that the academy can earn some operating expenses in the long run and
the children can get some hands-on experience..
Parijat is located in Gorchuk, Pamohi in Guwahati. Here is their Web
site again (we had got this address from Ankur before):
<http://www.parijatacademy.org/> http://www.parijatacademy.org/
Ashadeep
Mukul and Anjana Goswami run Ashadeep, a rehab for mentally challenged
women. They have several centers, and even a day school.
The women are housed in a safe and secure environment. Besides some
mental-health help, the women are taught some basic survival skills,
where possible.
Both Mukul and Anjana, along with their small group of people, work
tirelessly and often way into the night.
I have kept in touch with Mukul for a number of years. He has related
some of the most poignant stories of mental illness. Many of the people
working at Ashadeep (including the Goswamis) often cannot draw a
paycheck, but there is a tacit understanding and the urge to help out
each other when necessary, but all the while making sure the rehab is
run smoothly.
We visited their locations at Silpukhuri and Fatasil, Guwahati.
Here is their Web site:
<http://www.giveworld.org/ashadeep/ashadeep_profile.htm>
http://www.giveworld.org/ashadeep/ashadeep_profile.htm
Amar Ghor
As some of you may be aware Amar Ghor is a shelter for elderly women.
Ms. Rini Kakati wrote about this shelter some time ago in this forum.
The shelter was established by Ms. Suchibrata RoyChoudhury (daughter of
Sri.Ambikagiri RoyChoudhury). This is probably the first of its kind in
Assam, and it was an eye-opener to realize that Ms. RoyChoudhury had the
foresight to establish such a center.
Many of the women in the center are able live there comfortably, and
without being a burden on their families.
One wishes there were many more centers like this throughout Assam.
Right at the beginning, we mentioned that the trip was 'different'. It
was different because of the many experiences we encountered when
visiting these places. It was also different, as we realized that there
are still a set of people in Assam who are willing to put others before
self, and that too with lifetimes of commitments. We are sure there are
many more unsung heroes out there, and this is just a small sample.
We urge netters to do what they can. Even small contributions go toward
helping a section of the often disadvantaged and cast away members of
our society that have very few places to turn to.
Of your contributions, no one will ever know that you gave, but the fact
that you did, may help put that innocent smile back on a child's face,
and make life a lot easier for some person in unfortunate circumstances.
And most of all, it should touch your soul.
Attached are some photos we took. Please follow the links below:
<http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0EatGrRuyasXVg>
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0EatGrRuyasXVg
<http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0EatGrRuyasXZQ>
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0EatGrRuyasXZQ
Unfortunately, we forgot to take the camera to all the places.
Thanks for reading.
Alpana & Ram Sarangapani
Spring, Texas, USA
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