Returning from Saraswathi's shala one day, James and I came across the Gokulam orphanage which has this black and white sign on the door. It reads: Do not kill your baby, -leave it here-
They currently have about 40 children, 3 are babies. Western students used to volunteer and spend time with the kids but now this has been disallowed.
They said they need food, in this order:
The administrator told us that each kid gets government support of 400 Rupiahs per year, which is probably not enough, so the food helps.
The women working in the establishment have been there for many years. The manager for 25, the floor manager, a woman in white robes who had a very sweet energy emanating from her, for about 20 years and so on. The children look happy, free to roam around, although we all know they are going through a difficult time, no doubt about it. The babies lie on big pads on the second floor with people attending to them at all times.
What happens to them when they grow up, we asked? The girls are presented with potential husbands and if they agree they get married. There is a picture on the wall of all the girls that have gotten married in the past.
Where do they go to school? School is 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away, and they walk.
To learn more about it here is their website.
They currently have about 40 children, 3 are babies. Western students used to volunteer and spend time with the kids but now this has been disallowed.
They said they need food, in this order:
- Cooking Oil
- Rice
- Dal
- Sugar
The administrator told us that each kid gets government support of 400 Rupiahs per year, which is probably not enough, so the food helps.
The women working in the establishment have been there for many years. The manager for 25, the floor manager, a woman in white robes who had a very sweet energy emanating from her, for about 20 years and so on. The children look happy, free to roam around, although we all know they are going through a difficult time, no doubt about it. The babies lie on big pads on the second floor with people attending to them at all times.
What happens to them when they grow up, we asked? The girls are presented with potential husbands and if they agree they get married. There is a picture on the wall of all the girls that have gotten married in the past.
Where do they go to school? School is 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away, and they walk.
To learn more about it here is their website.
I know you said they needed food, but will they take donations of clothing and toys as well?
ReplyDeleteThat I don't know, did not ask... wonder if they have anything like it in the website...
DeleteI didn't see a lot of toys in their photos, which is unusual to my American eyes but probably not all that common to them. If they're short on food, they probably aren't thinking about toys (however I have a surplus at my house).
ReplyDeleteYes, I guess food would always be the first priority... the children seemed busy, some where carrying water some cutting the grass, they were in groups and having fun but helping with the house.
DeleteI meant "uncommon to them..."
ReplyDelete