Shishu Bhavan is an orphanage for newborns and upwards run by the Missionaries of Charity and is where my heart was stolen by a little girl named Namthu. As I lifted up this special little girl, I realised she was blind and disabled and I became overwhelmed with emotion. As she was crying, I felt so helpless, frozen with fear I began to sing to her and she soon calmed down. On my working days I cared for her, playing with her and singing became part of our daily routine. Watching this innocent little two year old smile and listening to her laughter, she was clueless that she had captured my heart forever.
CCC Student
All Aboard!
I mentioned unique bonds and our students were to form special relationships with these children and spend a weekend with them on a short holiday in the Sunderban region on the Bay of Bengal. A first for our student group and a first holiday ever for the Rupayan boys.
Retreating to this place of natural beauty from the noise and pollution of Calcutta was a welcome change for all of us and a chance to treat these young lads to some fun and freedom one hundred miles from their city but a million miles from their horrible past lives. They never gave us one minute's bother and despite the language barrier we laughed and sang and danced our weekend away on our "basic" boat cruising the islands of the world's largest delta and enjoying the privilege of making others happy.
The children had been looking forward to this weekend for months and no doubt are still talking about their new "Aunties" and "Uncles" all the way from Ireland. A sponsorship programme for these children has enabled some of the students and their families an opportunity to sponsor them to the age of 18.
Kolkata was nothing I expected it to be in so many ways. The culture, people, environment are so unlike Ireland's, yet when you step back and look at the bigger picture you see we're all really the same. The mother taking care of her children as best she can; the father working 'the night shift' to keep his family afloat, the brother keeping a watchful eye on his younger sister, the sister eagerly aspiring to be just like her mother and those pesky neighbourhood dogs that just won't go away. We're all just one big family hugging close to Earth for life and being.
CCC Student
As we witness homes and businesses destroyed by floods and torrential rain in Ireland and the distress this has caused to so many we can empathize with others who have also been affected by severe weather.
There was this mam, dad and a little baby that I used to walk by now and again who lived on the street. No house, no furniture, no food, nothing . Yet every time I saw them they were smiling and having fun. They didn't let their circumstances ruin their lives. They lived their lives to the fullest when they had nothing at all. I just think that this family was so inspiring. If they could be happy having nothing, we should all be even happier with all the things we have in our lives
CCC Student
The Sunderban Region was so calm and tranquil over the two days we spent there with the Rupayan children and little apparent evidence of the cyclone that ravaged and destroyed homes, farms and livelihoods in May this year. Many lives were also lost. The Hope Foundation was able to help victims and Bekind also supported this fund.
In the morning for my working days I worked in Shanti Dan with women with intellectual disabilities. I really enjoyed working here as everyone was so friendly and nice. It was great to see how happy they all were in just doing simple things with them such as dancing, playing with a ball or painting their nails. These women loved talking to new people and really helped one another.
CCC Student
Funds in excess of €30,000 were distributed during this visit and additional children are being sponsored. We will continue to help and support those making a difference to the poorest of the poor. This is only possible because of you. Thank you for thinking of others.
How apt Mother Teresa's quote "We cannot do great things in this world, we can only do small things with great love"
Brian Flanagan
Bekind Ireland