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Sunday, December 5, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
second term results
Went to the September PTM. The kids were well and in spite of the rain we had great fun. We also got the results. Meher and Aditya stood first in their class. Vicky's results were a little disappointing but nothing to worry. Utpal and Babli were second and third. Manisha was third and Yash fourth!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
from five to eight
We have gone from famous five, to incredible seven and now to exceptional eight. Yes little Manisha will be joining Utpal, Vicky, Nikhil, Aditya, Babli, Yash and Meher. Manisha's story is heart rendering and I guess once again the God of small things decided to intervene. I must admit that after Yash and Mehar I had decided to put a stop ( at least a temporary one) to the boarding school saga, one that is quite extraordinary to say the least. A simple walk down memory lane brought me to a blog I had written almost 4 years ago, where I had shared what seemed at that time an impossible dream. Like all dreams it was promptly tucked away and almost forgotten. But then the God of small things (GST) decided otherwise. When things looked bleak and almost hopeless, out from the blue came a messenger who revived all dreams, even the wildest ones. It all seemed to good to be true and over and above my cherished dream of planet why, this messenger wanted to change lives of children and we set out to do just that with hope in our hearts. But then the incomprehensible happened. The messenger backed out: the dream seemed too fragile to invest in and I was left holding on to it alone.
In my shaky lap lay not only the future of Manu and his friends, but that of 4 little kids who had been taken away from their homes with the promise of a bright morrow. In hindsight I think the erstwhile messenger was simply God's way of bringing me back to order. I knew that nothing would ever come easy but come it would! No matter how impossible. And miracles came our way, tiny ones perhaps, but blessed nonetheless. Manu was home safe and happy and soon the little children packed their bags and entered the portals of almost hallowed ground: the boarding school. I heaved a sigh of relief. It has been a long haul but one that was worth it. Who knows one day these very kids would become doctors, engineers, stars! Nothing was impossible. I wondered however whether I would be still around to see them.
Five kids in boarding school was more than enough. We still had 10 long years to go. But my friend the GST had other plans in store. Five soon became seven with Yash and Meher joining the gang of five and of course all my resolutions and resolves went for a six. It is true that when I first laid eyes on little Meher, I knew that this kid had no future. Her little face was scarred making her poor wedding material and her tiny hands maimed making her access to skills very limited and yet her joie de vivre was infectious. When a kind soul offered to repair her body I immediately added a caveat: if we did then we also had to give her a way to break the circle of extreme poverty in which she was imprisoned. Meher belonged to a very poor family where the men lived in the city and worked as house painters, the women stayed in the village and the kids played in the nearby graveyard that was the best playground available. It was a stroke of luck, or rather the GST's ploy that she had been in the city the day I first met her!
So six it would be, or so I thought. But then what would happen to the little boy who had almost been adopted by some fancy outsiders and then dropped like a hot potato when they found a 'better' child! You see six had to become seven. And when a kind gentleman absolutely wanted to sponsor the school of another child, another masterstroke ensured that Manisha would be the chosen one! Seven had become eight!
In a few hours little Manisha will be joining her new friends in boarding school. She spent the night at the foster care so that she could be ready on time. We were a little concerned about how she would feel but to our utter surprise she spent the evening quietly watching TV and telling the housemother about her life. Children like Manisha are born survivors. They sense intuitively what is good for them and hold on to it with their heart and soul. I first saw this in little Utpal long ago.
It is a spirit I for one salute. Chapeau Bas! God bless them all!
In my shaky lap lay not only the future of Manu and his friends, but that of 4 little kids who had been taken away from their homes with the promise of a bright morrow. In hindsight I think the erstwhile messenger was simply God's way of bringing me back to order. I knew that nothing would ever come easy but come it would! No matter how impossible. And miracles came our way, tiny ones perhaps, but blessed nonetheless. Manu was home safe and happy and soon the little children packed their bags and entered the portals of almost hallowed ground: the boarding school. I heaved a sigh of relief. It has been a long haul but one that was worth it. Who knows one day these very kids would become doctors, engineers, stars! Nothing was impossible. I wondered however whether I would be still around to see them.
Five kids in boarding school was more than enough. We still had 10 long years to go. But my friend the GST had other plans in store. Five soon became seven with Yash and Meher joining the gang of five and of course all my resolutions and resolves went for a six. It is true that when I first laid eyes on little Meher, I knew that this kid had no future. Her little face was scarred making her poor wedding material and her tiny hands maimed making her access to skills very limited and yet her joie de vivre was infectious. When a kind soul offered to repair her body I immediately added a caveat: if we did then we also had to give her a way to break the circle of extreme poverty in which she was imprisoned. Meher belonged to a very poor family where the men lived in the city and worked as house painters, the women stayed in the village and the kids played in the nearby graveyard that was the best playground available. It was a stroke of luck, or rather the GST's ploy that she had been in the city the day I first met her!
So six it would be, or so I thought. But then what would happen to the little boy who had almost been adopted by some fancy outsiders and then dropped like a hot potato when they found a 'better' child! You see six had to become seven. And when a kind gentleman absolutely wanted to sponsor the school of another child, another masterstroke ensured that Manisha would be the chosen one! Seven had become eight!
In a few hours little Manisha will be joining her new friends in boarding school. She spent the night at the foster care so that she could be ready on time. We were a little concerned about how she would feel but to our utter surprise she spent the evening quietly watching TV and telling the housemother about her life. Children like Manisha are born survivors. They sense intuitively what is good for them and hold on to it with their heart and soul. I first saw this in little Utpal long ago.
It is a spirit I for one salute. Chapeau Bas! God bless them all!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
back to school
Vicky,Yash,Nikhi,the big friend,Babli and UtpalThe children are back to school. The results as always were stunning. The little ones: Aditya and Meher decided not to pose for the picture as they were busy playing but one of their school pals decided he wanted to be on every snap. Will be posting the results and financials soon.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
home for the summer
Our incredible seven are back home for the summer. This time they were sent home in their uniforms! It was nice to see all of them dressed alike. They have also brought loads of homework and we are busy figuring out how we will manage to have it all done. We think that perhaps they will need to come to the project every alternate week to enable us to finish the homework. The little ones, Yash and Meher have less work and so will only need to come a week or so before returning to school.
It was a pleasure to see them, talk to them, share their stories and see how they view their life at school.
God bless them!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Stunning results
All our children have passed and are now in their new classes. They have done us proud and vindicated every doubt that some had about their ability to adjust and shine!
See for yourself!
See for yourself!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
back in school
Our famous five have now become the secret seven! On April 5th Meher and Yash joined the others for their new school term.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
back home
The kids are back home! The fill now go back to school on April 6th in their new class and will also be joined by Yash and Meher!
All fees have been paid till July!
Utpal's fees is sponsored by Enfances Indiennes and paid for the whole year.
All fees have been paid till July!
Utpal's fees is sponsored by Enfances Indiennes and paid for the whole year.the last PTM
The last PTM was fun. It was a warm sunny day and as the children were not allowed to go out, because of exams, we just lolled around in the sun and ate the goodies we had taken! The children showed off their results and once again did us proud.
utpal and babli
bonding with agastya
utpal and babli
bonding with agastya
Thursday, January 28, 2010
a very special day
The children had their annual day. It was a truly special day and they did us all proud!
Read about the day here.
Read about the day here.
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Thursday, January 7, 2010
Apologies....
Apologies for not having written for a while.. The cold weather took its toll on all of us, and me most of all. I guess age speaks..
Our famous five were home for their winter break and then returned to school on the 11th. In time to prepare for their forthcoming annual day. They were all very excited and happy. God bless them always.
The fees for the final term have been paid.
Nikhil
Babli
Aditya
Vicky
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