Navajeevana – Home of New Life
Sarah:-
We have just returned to the Oberoi from an orphanage in Bangalore. Wow what an experience!!!
Navajeevana houses orphaned girls, from the streets of Bangalore. Today they were all having their 1st medical checks done so they can all get medical records, and identify any treatment that is needed. There were 4 doctors volunteering their time, and in total 120 girls were examined from a couple of branches of the orphanage around Bangalore.
When we arrived, the Salesian (Sal-ees-ian) Sisters provided us with lunch, while the last of the girls were having their checks. We had Biryani which was lovely, and tonnes of other food and vegetables, we really were looked after.
After our food, the girls had theirs, (pictured left). All 120 girls sat on the floor and ate stacks of food, I think they were getting a special feast today!!
Once they were finished it was then playtime and James and I were certainly very popular. They all wanted to know our names but actually throughout the time we were there they referred to us as Auntie and Uncle. Stuart was also Uncle.
The girls kept touching my skin and said my skin was like Snow White’s. They also performed a dance for us that they had been practicing. I am amazed at how much they had learnt and some of the girls could not be much older than 5 or 6.
We thoroughly enjoyed it and was a big eye opener.
I still feel uneasy getting from A to B. Today we had a driver (which totally seems to be the way to go at the moment) as yesterday James and I decided to find somewhere for lunch. We got approached so many times and there were absolutely no westerners in sight so we stood out like a sore thumb. Today, when we stopped at the traffic lights women with babies and elderly ladies would bang on the window begging for money. I am so uncomfortable with it but I am sure i will get used to it.
Anyway, what I have seen today at the Orphanage has made me feel like there is some good in the world as the Salesian Sisters help these girls who don’t know who there parents are, or do know but were subjected to soo much abuse and wouldn’t dream of going back. I felt remarkably safe there and as Stuart would tell you I was totally silent when we returned as was digesting what we had seen.
A tiring day today so not sure what tomorrow will bring.
James:-
We had been looking forward to visiting the orphanage for months. To give a bit of background to our visit; Stuart helps to run a charity based in the US called Home of Hope India. This charity raises funds and provides support to the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco, Catholic nuns whose mission is to provide education using the Don Bosco school of teaching, and who dedicate their efforts to help orphaned street children. There is a network of orphanages and schools across three South Indian states of Kerala, Karnataka and Andra Pradesh. You can read more about this great charity at www.homeofhopeindia.org.
Visiting a place like this really does focus the mind.
Will keep in touch
Sarah & James
Hi Sarah an James,
Reading your updated with much interest. Sounds like the first couple of days were heaven, which are now followed by the reality for so much of the world. It must be tough so see so many poor and suffering, but also good to see that there are still loads of people in the world who want to help, and that it does make a difference, altough it may feel there are so many suffering, just helping one person makes a difference.
Keep writing the blog, I love it.
Please post your dates of where you will roughly be when. I am seriously thinking of coming to climb Macchu Pichi with you next year, but need the dates to see if possible.
xx
Leandi
PS – the pics are beautiful
Hi Leandi,
I am really enjoying writing the blog so far. I am so glad you are reading it.
We aim to be in Peru from the 31st May to 17th June. We have not booked the Macchu Pichuu yet but it will be sometime between those dates. we must book it soon so we will keep in touch and try and book it together. i have your email address.
Hope things are ok with you
Sarah
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What a day. You are seeing at first hand how the majority of the world lives. We have no concept over here.
Maybe you can now see why it would need the resources of another one and a half worlds to bring India alone upto western standards of living. There are no easy solutions. You can also see how desparate they must get. Hence you being accosted in the streets.
You are starting with probably the most difficult country on your whole trip.
Very much enjoyed our Skype call.
Look after yourselves
Lots of love
Dad