[dropcap]T[/dropcap]here’s a lot one can do by giving away alms but it’s more important that we learn and see for ourselves. So I couldn’t agree more when they say, “Giving away charity, and doing something by yourself and seeing it are two totally different things.”
On October 12 this year, we, the students of Kohima Science College, Jotsoma, initiated by Chemistry Department went to visit “Kohima Orphanage and Home for Destitute” which opened our eyes. We have no idea to whom we should be more grateful to—the lecturers or the students who contributed an enormous amount of donations starting from toys, dolls, clothes to even cash. Thank you all.It may not be appropriate but we just wanted to share a little something of which we. The students observed and experienced, with all the donors and the readers.
We reached the destination at around 9:30 am. The first thing that greeted us was a signboard that read:
YOUNG LONELY FRIENDLESS
We yearn for a friend but all we see are shadows. We tell story but it goes unheard.
Our hopes melt with every sunset day after day. We need a friend but who do we turn to.
We need to smile but society frown on us. We are orphans and needy children.
ALL WE NEED IS A SPECIAL FRIEND
“YOU”
That was the beginning of what will turn out to be a very emotional experience.
We all looked around the orphanage campus and were really fascinated by the environment. But the best scene was the little children, who managed to steal away a smile from each of us instantly.
The most beautiful thing happened when we entered a hall which they call “church”. A small stage in the front caught our eyes, followed by the children (around sixty in number) sitting in the benches facing the stage. At first, a melancholic air started troubling our mind but before we knew it, we were joyfully singing together with those kids who were really excited to sing. Their melodious sharp pitched voices was tough to keep up to but leaving that aside, the number of songs they knew a bigger problem for us. Those children just love music and we ended up singing the whole song in their hymn book. It is true that music is a language through which everyone can communicate. That was our interaction began.
When we distributed their favorite—sweets and chocolates, they all accepted with a warm hearted smile—a smile that takes away all the darkness in your life. Seeing those happy faces and just experiencing the joy together with them was magical and simply beautiful. They were the reason behind our tear—tears of joy, which frankly does not come often.
Apart from the little kids, there were a few grown-ups who welcome us really heart-fully and cooperated with us till the very end. They were , again, so talented that they made our jaw drop on seeing their magnificent music skills. They entertained us with the strumming of the guitars, rolling of the drums and with their melancholic and melodious voices. They really cannot be called ordinary because they were “Extraordinary”.
We learnt a lot from them. There was this little boy who bravely said, “I don’t want a girlfriend when I’m twelve. I want to grow up, get good education, get a job and then only I’ll search for her.” Hearing that just wrapped up our brain because none of us could believe that it was a twelve-year old boy talking. There was another boy who uses acronym for everything starting from his own name. He calls himself “ZBN”: for chocolate, he simply says “CHLT”, and if you happen to tell him your name, he will give you your acronym in a blink—just like that. And he is still eleven!
Among all those talented, gifted kids, we also came across children who could not talk or hear while some were diagnosed with diabetes. Unlike all of us, it is obvious that they do not have parents checking upon them every second because they are not the only child who needs help. But we believe that God has given them special strength to deal with it. Still, with God on our side, there is always something which we can do by ourselves. We can become the instrument of God.
During our first meet and greet, some of the little girls came snatching our hands asking us, “Are you going to leave us early or late at night?” We wished we could say ‘yes’ with all our heart but we had no choice but to say otherwise. They even invited us to spend the 25th of December with them, adding, “We will sing songs, dance and just enjoy.” Those were the tear jerking words for all of us gathered there that day. Those words kept us silent and our hearts went out to them. When we made our farewell speech, we told them, “Never think that you are alone”, but the question remains: Did we lie to those innocent children? Are they really not alone?
As much as we want to share every little detail: words are not enough, papers are not enough and just a prayer is also not enough. We would like to conclude this report by saying that these children are a “BLESSING” to this world that we should care for and cherish. And since, a simple act of kindness can stir the widest ocean, if only we show a little love, heaven knows what we can change. We hold the key to make a better life for them.
As contributed by Students from Kohima Science College, Jotsoma.
