Saturday, September 23, 2006

Circus!


Kiran Sandeep Alex, originally uploaded by A.Mokashi.

January, 2006

Took the kids from the Vishwas Home for Underprivileged Children to the circus one weekend. 20 kids, we go in 5 auto rickshaws. Me in one auto with 5 of the smaller ones. Swapnil, who introduced me to Vishwas, and is a big favourite with the kids, handles the other ones. [Most of them have been found abandoned on the streets, or have been rescued from abusive home environments. But the trustee Mrs. Vyjayanthi Raman’s amazing care and concern have given them a chance to believe in a better life.]

We settle down. The smallest one, Kiran, on my lap. Great excitement. Learned that an auto ride across the city is one of the most thrilling things that can happen to you.
Kiran nudges the driver – “Uncle, uncle, go fast!”. Driver tries to smile it off and say it’s okay, we’ll try. Kiran is relentless: “Uncle will go faster than any of the others! We’ll overtake them all!”. Powerless in the face of such generous ego-boosting, Uncle drives like he’s in a Ferrari.

All along the way, I am shown important landmarks like “That’s the playground where we play!”, “Flyover!”, “Park!”, “Red Fort!” [the red High Court building]. The new Vidhan Soudha building of course had all of us nearly falling out of the auto on the left side, oooohing and aaaaahing. Never looked at it so closely before. [An auto ride, I learnt, is a real-life movie experience with ever changing scenes, so many colours, people, and the wind comes in from all open sides.]

Sandeep speaks about the Cancer Hospital where they went and performed a dance for the patients. He and the others were extremely moved by the suffering of the patients, tells me all about them.

Each time we come aside another of our 5 autos at traffic signals, they have to all lean out and shout and touch the kids in the next rickshaw. And tell them how our driver is far better than theirs. When the light changes, great tension. Will the other auto overtake ours, will we lose the Grand Prix?

At the traffic signal, a beggar woman comes with a baby. The boys look at her silently for a moment. Then one of them asks me “Aunty, do you have a 1 rupee coin?”. I find a 5 rupee coin. The coin given, Sandeep says “ So sad, isn’t it, aunty? We are such rich people - we have a place to stay, food to eat, good clothes to wear – they have to beg on the streets.” I agree and hold him close, I am unable to say anything.

We pass the Muslim Dargah on Jayamahal Road. “Taj Mahal!” Someone shouts, looking at the big dome. I start to correct them, then join in “Yaaaah, so beautiful, isn’t it?”

We get down at the circus. They see the giant wheel next door. “Can we go to Fun World instead?”. Another time, have patience! We go in and take our seats. Little Eliza falls asleep immediately. Refuses to wake up in spite of all bands and excitement happening. Then finally when the fat hippopotamus walks in, she opens her eyes wide and says “Is that a REAL hippopotamus?”

Back in the auto rickshaw, the older ones are a little sleepy after 3 hours in a tent in the sun. But Kiran wakes up again and is giggling away to glory. [He also cries with the same intensity, so am enjoying this while it lasts].

It is evening, we are going in the opposite direction, and the world is all new and full of wonder yet another time.

For more photos, click here.

Contact Details and Contributions

Contact Details:

" VISHWAS "
127 , 30th cross ,
J.P.Nagar 6th phase
Bangalore - 78

Phone No/Contact Person at the orphanage: Nimmy Thomas - 26533791

Owner of the orphanage: Helpline Charitable Trust

Official Contact: Mrs. Vyjayanthi Raman [Managing Trustee]
Mail: vyjayanthiraman@hotmail.com
Tel: 080 26630413
Mobile: 080 9341314173 (Reliance)

Directions:

  • Go straight up from South End circle [Nanda theatre road] – boulevard with parks on either side. When you reach the T junction, take a left.
  • Go to the next traffic light and take a Right there [Raghavendra Swami Matha is to your left at that traffic light – this is not very obvious – ask for the Matha if you have a doubt].
  • After you turn right here, keep going straight – this is the road that leads to the Ring Road. Markers on this road: Monday to Sunday, Food World and at the end is R.V. Dental College.
  • Continue beyond the first traffic light to the second traffic light where you meet Ring road. Take a right onto the Ring Road.
  • Now take a second left turn from Ring Road (a man selling coconuts is in corner). Then another Second Left Turn (Frank English School on the right side).
  • At the end of the street – take a Right - this is the second right after the playground – narrow road - and as you proceed down that street almost towards the end, on your left you will see the sign, 'Help Line Charitable Trust/ Vishwas'.
Contributions:

You can contribute to the Trust either by online transfer or by cheque:

Online Transfer:

ICICI Bank, Jayanagar 3rd Block Branch,

Account Number: 005301040477.

After you make the transfer, please send a mail to Mrs. Vyjayanthi or Mrs. Mrinalini Jayaram, along with the postal address where you want the Receipt to be sent to.

Ids: vyjayanthiraman@hotmail.com, minnyjayaram@hotmail.com

Cheque:

Send a cheque in favour of "Helpline Charitable Trust" to:

Mrs. Mrinalini Jayaram
599, 11th cross, 3rd phase, J.P. Nagar
Bangalore - 78.

Also send the address where you want the receipt to be sent to.

For further information, please contact:

Helpline Charitable Trust
Mrs. Vyjayanthi Raman [Managing Trustee]
vyjayanthiraman@hotmail.com
Tel: 080 26630413
Mobile 080 9341314173 (Reliance)

Registration number of Trust: DIT (E)/ 80G-- (R)/65/W-1/ 2005-2006. Valid upto 31-3-2008

  • The trust has exemption under Income Tax act & contributions to the trust are eligible for deduction under section 80G, of Income Tax act.
  • Indian Passport holders living abraod can contribute directly to the Trust - we have FCRA clearance.
  • We interact closely with the Child Welfare Committee of the Govt of Karnataka and their inputs are taken with regard to maintenance of records etc
  • The accounts of the trust are audited on a monthly basis by an independent professional firm.
  • Regular updates are sent to the key donors & on request to anyone.

Vishwas - An Introduction


Our Home. Is what they call it. It is indeed a real home, for the 20-odd orphan children who are growing up under the care of Mrs.Vyjayanthi Raman.

Mrs. Raman was interviewed by The Hindu newspaper, in the column that features people who have extraordinary achievements to their credit. This is probably the best way to get to know Vishwas, so quoting it -

Home, hearth and warmth
Article from The Hindu, 26 July 2006

[Reproducing the article here from the link, for those with slow internet connections]

"Mummy, my skirt is too long. Can you please help me shorten it?" Well, even before the elegant Vyjayanthi Raman could answer the 10-year-old, another four-year-old moppet tugged at her sari pallu and in a matter of seconds the lady was surrounded by eager children demanding her attention all at once.

Another voice chirruped to me: "Hi, I am Anil." I then realised it was a special day for me. A day when a dozen myths died, to be replaced by joy and love that I never dreamt possible in an orphanage.

Located in Jayanagar, Vishwas, registered under the Helpline Charitable Trust, is home to 20 destitute children. The trustees of the six-year-old institution have restricted the number in order to enable personalised attention to the children. If you are expecting an air of pathos at Vishwas, you are definitely on the wrong page. For, some of the people who have helped Vyjayanthi make her dream a reality include trustees such as Srinath, Saraswati and Mrinalini Jayaram, mostly NRIs or expats who have returned home.

Distressed by ostentation

During her stint in Dubai, whenever she was confronted by ostentation and vulgar display of wealth, Vyjayanthi's thoughts often dwelt on the suffering and poverty in her homeland, strengthening her resolve to do something about it. While the seeds were sown at that time, she eventually found her calling on her return to Bangalore.

She recalls the time when she was still starting out: "I never realised that it could be so stressful," she confesses with candour. "Empathy was a big contention," says Vyjayanthi, who found that she needed to strike the right balance. Meditation proved to be the answer. "It helped me channelise my energies without bordering on over attachment."

"Each child has to go through so much before they come to us," declares Vyjayanthi who holds that the boys are easier to handle than the girls. Her young wards hail from myriad backgrounds: sexual abuse, abandonment, unspeakable horrors — the kids have battled all that and more.

Money and food are the immediate priorities of the kids who have had to grapple with some of life's most unforgiving realities, that too at a tender age.

Learning was not easy for the gutsy Vyjayanthi; it merely ushered in newer challenges. For instance, she jokingly refers to the healthy appetite of the kids. "I was concerned but the paediatrician dispelled all my doubts," she explains. Most of the kids cannot comprehend the fact that they will indeed get the next meal. Their systems, used to years of deprivation, need to be reconditioned to be able to accept the fact.

Discipline will always remain one of her more serious concerns. Her mantra is tough love and she believes that timely intervention can make all the difference. "There really is no point in harsh punishment as the kids will just give up and never change. We do not need old clothes or shoes, we want people to come and actually spend time with the children." Not that there has been a dearth of that. The home has welcomed several families, good samaritans and corporate visitors in its midst, those from big companies like Infosys and General Electric to name a few. She is all praise for them taking their social responsibilities seriously.

Vyjayanthi is an interior designer who has taught the subject for several years in premier institutions of India and Dubai as well. The interiors of her chic and understated home celebrate the artist in her. Despite sounding incredibly clichéd she certainly would not have made it so far without family support. "Of course, they are my strength," muses the woman who has walked that extra mile to make her dreams a reality.

Talking about the future: "I would love to set up a school where quality education is available at an affordable price."

As I watch the children go about their chores and Vyjayanthi organise breakfast for Vinod who has come back from his tuition class, it was suddenly like being part of a family.

Vyjayanthi Raman may be contacted on 26630413 or 93413-14173 or vyjayanthiraman@hotmail.com

HARIPRIYA SRINIVASAN