Kamiya Jani visits Bal Anand orphanage at Ghatla Village and gives you an insight of the celebrations held at their centre this year
They were glowing with happiness and joy, the pitch of their vocal
cords shot up with excitement and the claps became louder every time
their friends performed on stage. This was the scene at Bal Anand-World
Children Welfare Trust, an orphanage, which celebrated its 22nd
Anniversary incidentally on February 22.
When the children were asked how they would want to celebrate this
special day, the spontaneous reply was, “fun and games”. The kids had a
lot of fun as the participated in various activities like sports,
dance, art and watched movies. “The kids had an art session in the
morning, then they watched the movie ‘Finding Nemo’ and at the end they
danced and participated in sports,” informs Geeta Eashwaran,
representative of Bal Anand.
“We have a lot of fun here. We learn drawing, dancing, making
candles, bags, and artificial flowers,” says 16-year-old Pooja, who has
been staying at Bal Anand ever since she was born. Most of her
childhood friends have been adopted, but she is still waiting for a
right family to adopt her. They don’t really miss having parents as
they are given all the love and affection at this center. For them, the
orphanage becomes their home and the other children and the staff
becomes their family.
The founder of Bal Anand, Sulochana Kalro, believes that Bal Anand
since its inception receives, shelters and rehabilitates the abandoned
and destitute children. “We do not want Bal Anand to be their permanent
identity. We ultimately want them to be adopted by a good family.
Adoption is the only and the right way for these orphan kids because
everyone needs a family.” Every year, there are about 45- 50 adoptions
that take place. The Executive of social work, Madhavi Mhatre notices
that initially there were more foreigners who were open to adoption but
now the trend has changed. “There are more Indian families who want to
adopt a child. In the year 2005, there were around 30-40 children
adopted by Indian families and about 14-15 have gone overseas.”
A couple from Holland was found capturing all the moments of the
function on their camera. On enquiring about them, it was discovered
that few years back they had adopted Baluka, (8) and Pradhnya (6) from
Bal Anand. Now the kids speak only in Dutch and not Hindi or English,
they were dressed in typical Indian clothes. Their mother, Mahelia said
with pride that, “Indian people are so beautiful by heart and I want to
keep my children’s culture alive.”
“It is not the right child but the right family we look for. I feel
good seeing the adopted kids happy with their family,” avers Sulochana,
the founder. Bal Anand is the home managed by professionally trained
staff who provides the warmth, care and material comforts a child needs
until ultimately a suitable family is approved. With all these
qualities Bal Anand is surely a home with a difference.
Sulochana Kalro (founder)
Even I have an adopted son who is 19-years-old now. Siddhant, who
is currently studying, has to know that he has been adopted because I
am single.
Sulochana Kalro (founder)
(Maa)
I have been taking care of these kids since 12 years. They all call
me ‘mummy’ and love me more than my own children. It’s a great feeling.
Once, when I was not well, they did not let me do any work and instead
did all the work themselves and were sitting beside my bed through out.
Link: http://www.chemburghatkoparplus.com/fullStory.asp?articleID=CGP3ART2262006