Although I have only been to the Asha Kiran Orphanage twice since I have been in India, I am so extremely proud of the work that my team has done and will do during our time here. These children are angels on earth and their happiness is literally overwhelming.
Last Friday was the first day that we visited the orphanage and we were greeted with flower necklaces and petals placed at our feet and then treated to singing and prayers performed by the girls. They stood up one by one and introduced themselves and told us what they wanted to be when they grow up: "doctor, teacher, teacher, scientist, singer, teacher, doctor, nurse!"... so much ambition, it was infectious! Although we could not fully communicate with words, the smiles were enough to tell me that I was doing the right thing. At first they were shy but when we sat down on the floor with them, they slowly inched closer. They were fascinated with touching my skin, which is very different from theres... but our smiles were the same.
I couldn't imagine a better way to spend my time while in India and I am looking forward to starting to implement the initiatives that the team has fundraised for. So far, we are planning to focus on providing health care for each girl, which averages around 3000 INR annually, calculating to less than $50 a year to protect these little girls. We are planning to improve a plot of land on the grounds and turn it into a play area and a garden as well as to correct some structural issues with the exterior of the buildings, such as proper gutters and rebuilding the surrounding wall. A huge concern is around sanitation, therefore we will redo a great deal of piping and drainage systems and install hand washing basins and trash bins around the orphanage. We will also take the girls on some field trips and supply them with new desks, english story books, coloring books and sports supplies! Even without these things, the girls are so incredibly happy and appreciative just to have us there.
Please check our our fundraising link and spread the word: http://www.gofundme.com/ProjectAshaKiran
Last Friday was the first day that we visited the orphanage and we were greeted with flower necklaces and petals placed at our feet and then treated to singing and prayers performed by the girls. They stood up one by one and introduced themselves and told us what they wanted to be when they grow up: "doctor, teacher, teacher, scientist, singer, teacher, doctor, nurse!"... so much ambition, it was infectious! Although we could not fully communicate with words, the smiles were enough to tell me that I was doing the right thing. At first they were shy but when we sat down on the floor with them, they slowly inched closer. They were fascinated with touching my skin, which is very different from theres... but our smiles were the same.
I couldn't imagine a better way to spend my time while in India and I am looking forward to starting to implement the initiatives that the team has fundraised for. So far, we are planning to focus on providing health care for each girl, which averages around 3000 INR annually, calculating to less than $50 a year to protect these little girls. We are planning to improve a plot of land on the grounds and turn it into a play area and a garden as well as to correct some structural issues with the exterior of the buildings, such as proper gutters and rebuilding the surrounding wall. A huge concern is around sanitation, therefore we will redo a great deal of piping and drainage systems and install hand washing basins and trash bins around the orphanage. We will also take the girls on some field trips and supply them with new desks, english story books, coloring books and sports supplies! Even without these things, the girls are so incredibly happy and appreciative just to have us there.
Please check our our fundraising link and spread the word: http://www.gofundme.com/ProjectAshaKiran