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American tells about the suffering of infants. «Help in Action» to the rescue |
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by Beverly Bronson Ever since I met Lama Gangchen in New York in 1996 I have wanted to work on one of his peace projects but as we all know it is not always possible to step away from our jobs and families. In January of this year, a fire upstairs in my antiques shop, and the flooding that followed (from the firemen's hoses) resulted in major damage to merchandise and, I thought at first, tied me down even more as I worked to rebuild the business. Lama Gangchen told me not to worry - that the fire was most auspicious - something I didn't understand at first. But when I had the cheque from the insurance company in my hand I decided not to spend it all on new stock - instead I bought a ticket to Nepal. I arrived in August to volunteer at the school at the Himalayan Healing Centre and to work with «Help in Action». Many years ago I sponsored a child in Africa through another organization, and often wondered if the children’s lives were affected as much as the television adverts portrayed. Now I have first hand knowledge and can see just how much it does help, and I would like to share some of my experiences to encourage as many of you as possible to become sponsors. Ram has four children and lives in a five by eight foot shack with one bare light bulb and a bed frame. When I met her 8 weeks ago her situation was desperate. Her children, aged 11, 8, 5 and 2 had no food, one set of ragged clothing each and had never been to school. They were riddled with scabies and suffered from conjunctivitis and lice - common problems here. Their father visited only occasionally bringing with him very little money, perhaps 100 rupees, and Ram had just a small income from spinning wool on the concrete floor of her home. She had no stove - hers had worn out, and little hope of replacing it - 400 rupees was a small fortune to her. This was the first thing we bought and a large bag of rice. These two purchases (along with a bar of soap) brought tears to her eyes, and to mine. The following day her little girls threw themselves into my arms as I arrived to take them shopping for shoes. With rubber flip flops on their feet, we headed to Boudhanath to shop for a few more necessities: a new bucket for carrying water, a new mattress for the bed (how did they all fit on that one bed?), sheets, a blanket, a kettle and saucepan, three more cups and plates so they didn't have to share, a new oil lamp for when the electricity shut off (as it often does). There was enough money left to buy a small piece of linoleum for the floor and a tiny table so they didn't have to put their plates on the floor at mealtimes. Have you ever seen pictures of western lottery winners? Their faces do not compare with the joy and gratitude on Ram's face after we went shopping for new clothes for all the children. The children also went to visit the doctor at the Healing Centre and received medicines to treat their skin and eye infections. With sponsors for her children, Ram is now luckier than most. «Help in Action» was able to put them all in school, buy them books, school clothes and shoes. They now have a chance. The children proudly show me their work and are trying hard to learn. Without the assistance of kind sponsors, Ram's children would have no education, and very possibly would have died now from malnutrition. The happiness on their faces is a joy to behold, even though they have none of the things western children take for granted, I can assure you they are most grateful for what they have received. Prakesh is 5 years old and lives with his brother in a small space behind his father's tailor's shop. Now that sounds very grandiose - so I will elaborate. The shop is the size of a small garden shed - with two sewing machines, a rail for hanging clothes and a small counter. When I first arrived the father had taken a temporary job in a carpet factory as there was not enough tailoring work to be done and his wife was doing the sewing while the children played at her feet. Prakesh is now one of the lucky children - because of the generosity of his sponsor he was able to start school at an early age. His sponsor's money was enough to buy him shoes and books, pay for tuition and enough cloth for his father to make his school uniform, which he now wears with such pride. Having a sponsor has a tremendous impact on these children. It changes their lives dramatically - gives them hope - in place of desperation. It shows them that there is kindness and compassion in this world and perhaps they too will grow up to make a difference to someone's life. Amit and Shresta live alone with their mother who knits sweaters to sell to tourists to try and make a living. Her husband has serious mental problems and has disappeared. Until now the children were locked in the house every day while their mother tried to sell her wares. Amit is deaf and cannot speak. Shresta is very bright and can write his name although he has never been to school. Now, thanks to two retired schoolteachers in Italy, Amit will be able to attend a special school and learn sign language, and Shresta will also get an opportunity to use his brain and perhaps grow up and be able to care for his devoted mother. None of the children I have met here own any toys or books, and most have only one set of clothes. They amuse themselves without the aid of television or computer games. «Help in Action» is already helping many children in Kathmandu but there are many hundreds more in need of assistance. Kaila is 11 years old. He is a servant from a small village in the hills - hired to look after twin boys aged two years old. He is covered in sores and dressed in rags. He cannot look me in the eyes and seems terrified of something happening to one of his small charges. He has never been to school and has no hope of going unless he can find a sponsor. Parmila is 8 years old. She owns one dress and is still attending kindergarten along with her three year old sister. She is eager to learn and would love to go to school if given a chance. Without a sponsor she might be sold as a servant in order to pay for food for the rest of the family.
If you can help to give a Nepalese child a
brighter future contact |
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