India in crisis from second wave

May 2, 2021May 3, 20215 Comments

My beloved friends of India have not complained about their government.
Here in America people banned together to ensure no one went hungry,and all received aid.
The aid they received in India pales in comparison,giving us far more reason to feel blessed.

During a 21 day lock down India’s poorest received under $7 widows received $13.
Those with ration cards were given 5Kg of rice, 1Kg of pulses, and gas cylinders.
There are no food shelves, or soup kitchens to visit, and no welfare system.
Seniors receive less than $5 a month, under their version of social security.

My friends have been very careful not to contract the virus, but they have lost loved ones.
When the first cases were detected there was a strict lock down that did not allow time for planning.
Migrant workers were stranded in their locations with no way home to their family.
They were expected to gather enough food to survive and shelter in place until the government said so.
After the lock down was lifted restrictions became so lax that over 20,000 gathered at the Hindu Temple.
Large gatherings were allowed for certain groups, while restricted for others.

Now the second wave of Covid has hit, leaving hospitals and crematoriums devastated.
Top scientist had detected the new variant in April, and warned restrictions should be made.

Prime Minister Modi,eventually decided to lock down certain community’s by then it was to late.
Journalist face confiscation of their devices if they speak out about the governments policy’s.
Now they rely on dire aid as the hospitals are full and they lack life saving supplies.
India is now reporting over 300,000 infections daily, and 200,00 deaths this week alone.

Citizens of India out of kindness volunteer their efforts to help those suffering from the virus.
When one man ran out of funds to donate oxygen tanks, he sold his vehicle to buy more.
Others are searching for hospitals with openings for those who are critical.
It is heartbreaking to read of the devastation that surrounds them, in hope that aid will make a difference.

I am thankful to send masks, hand sanitizer, and food items, to a handful of people.
With a country that holds over 1 Billion that is a grain of sand…
But If everyone who was able would add a grain of sand, together they will fill a bucket.

Smile’s All Around!

April 21, 2018April 21, 20183 Comments

support-1699909_640

You may not think a toothbrush and paste sound like an exiting gift, but for the children of India, it brings a SMILE!

Praveen and his family are thankful for a special day. Over 50 children gathered for food and fun!

Investing in a child has many rewards. Praveen and his family take in children who have no home, but also reach out to children of widows, and the poor.

Children are the reason I started a charity blog, and hope to one day help more in need. Showing a child they are loved, and encouraging them to achieve their dreams, can make a difference in their life.

I thank those who have joined me in helping Praveen and his family. 🙂

How the children have grown!

Knowledge Is Power! ~India~

October 9, 2017October 14, 20172 Comments

“Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.”
– Confucius-

For nearly two years I have been writing about the orphanage in India, but there is something I have come realize, it is not an orphanage at all.. it is home!

Anyone who works with children can say, “it takes a gift or a calling”. Patients and understanding will build love and confidence. These children who once lived on the streets will have the chance every child deserves.

For India’s street children, education is secondary in daily life, if at all. They do not have anyone to ensure they attend school, and no truancy officers taking them by the ear. They simply fall through the cracks of the ICPS, and the Juvenile Protective Care Act. In fact the government does not have an official estimate of street children. India has the highest number of child laborers, and street children spend their time forging the city landfills, or “ragging” to make an income. Those who do attend school, do not have the same opportunity as children from the “upper class”.

Since Praveen has taken the children into his home, they have been loved and nurtured, and have become part of the family. Life on the streets for a child,comes with many wounds. This healing process takes time, and can be difficult to break through. The children were behind in their studies, and are receiving the help they need. In their home, there is no “caste system” they all have equal opportunity to advance in life, and be educated.

In India girls face discrimination, and are not educated equally. The family’s of lower caste, feel their daughter will enter an arranged marriage and is not worth the cost of tuition. Illiteracy is extremely high among the female population. At home the girls and boy’s, are being taught to read, and speak English as a second language. Although they attend public school, the family also helps with their studies, as any caring parent would. Each child has their own unique talents, and they are encouraged to use them. The children join in singing, and performing plays for Sunday service.

Praveen and his father Ratna Kumar, hope to one day open a Bible college, where students who can not afford local tuition, can advance their studies. For now they are gaining experience through hands on education.

At the home area children are welcome to attend Sunday school, where Praveen reports they are eager to learn. The children are growing and gaining knowledge, that will help them throughout their life. There they are building relationships with others who will treat them with kindness, not judgement based upon their birth.

Thank you for reading, thank you for caring 🙂