Lighting up Lives of the Marginalised

by SHOMA PATNAIK
Posted on 2008-10-30
"Happy Diwali!" shouts little Nidhi as soon as she spies us getting off the car. She is a bright, pretty child, perhaps five years old, eagerly awaiting our visit. Soon diminutive Nidhi is joined by a host of tiny tots all rushing with their hands thrust forward. They are bent on the customary Diwali hand-shake which is done highly energetically.
There is equally boisterous and tiny Sidhi, large eyes Sania who is just a year old and a number of other cute kids whose names I just cannot catch. We are at the Holy Cross Convent, Asha Bhavan, Dammeda Tivim, a home for kids infected with the HIV virus. The occasion: A small get-together along with distribution of Diwali goodies, organised by the Goa Marriott Resort, Panjim. A regular community service for the five-star establishment, but which the kids are clearly overjoyed about..
“It is the same every time whenever any visitors come over,” Sister Jessica in-charge of the home lets us know. She adds, “This may be the only place in Goa where kids suffering from AIDS are taken care of. They are mostly kids with no parents or those whom relatives and families have forsaken after their affliction was known.”
Lately, people’s attitudes are changing, so there are occasional visitors to the home on special days. A thankful development, since the innocent tots are clearly unaware of their special status.
Started about three years back, by the Caritas Trust, Asha Bhavan is home for about 20 children of ages ranging from seven months to 16 years. The kids have come through different channels; hospitals, doctors or perhaps families who wish to have nothing to do with anybody associated with AIDS.
Points out Sister Jessica, “Looking after them is not easy as thanks to the virus, they catch infections very quickly. If one catches a cold in the morning, you can be sure that several will be running a high fever by night. Herpes, dysentery and skin infections are very common among them.”
Yet, the good sister remains extremely patient and loving in her task which is obviously appreciated by all her wards. Constantly smiling, she watches indulgently as the children grab packets of chips while giving the royal ignore to healthy sandwiches.
But, what about going to regular school? Are the kids accepted in the village school? “So far, we have not faced the problem,” Sister Jessica says as “the kids are little young for regular school.”
When wishing us goodbye she says, “We are awaiting a permanent place for our kids which will soon come up, nearby. It will solve a lot of our problems as the kids keep getting shifted around. Right now, there are a few of our boys in a home run by the ‘Lighthouse Charity.’