The monthly FTN visit for June 2008 was chosen at Tejaswini Seva Trust, a home for abandoned children situated about 6 KM from Banshankari, Bangalore. As we left the city roads and entered the muddy by-lanes of Chikkakallasandra, we were greeted into a green colored 3-storey building constructed on a 30*40 square feet of land.
The FTN team of about 20 members reached the venue by about 10:30 AM and we were like immediately taken aback by the space constraint and infrastructure limitations of the building which houses about 45 children of various age groups and difficulties. The founder Mr. Srinivasa Murthy does a commendable job in managing the place really well in spite of all these difficulties and makes sure that the children there enjoys everything what he\she deserves in life. After getting an introduction of all the people there, FTN distributed sweets as an ice-breaker and even before we could realize it, we began to mingle and felt at ease with each and everyone. Next we decide to test the creativity quotient of the children and what better way to check it than to give a coloring set and paper to
everyone. And boy were we taken for a surprise as they let out their creative juices flowing and came up with some real good images which could have been easily mistaken to be the work of a professional artist. Even we couldn’t resist such an opportunity and almost every member pitched in to help the children, but we have to admit that we were no match for their skill and eye for detail.
For the three children who were unable to see colors in their life, we decided to cheer them up with our anthakshari skills with some songs, which were totally out of tune. And that’s when Manjunath and Subbu kicked in with their singing and drumming skills to amaze us all. Subbu in spite of his handicap in vision is pursuing his graduation in music. Now that’s what I call determination and I am sure almost everyone who had come with FTN that day would have surely changed their though process and outlook in life after seeing and interacting with them for the short span of time. However everybody’s attraction of the day was the cute and naughty Aishwarya who never had to sit down as she changed hands from one member to the other. On the contrary who can forget the shy Susmita who never comes to anyone?
As the painting competition drew to a close it was almost time for lunch and FTN treated them to a tasty and sumptuous lunch and topped it with payasam and fruits. All this food was too much to handle for some of the members as almost everyone felt like sleeping. But “Sleep can wait” exclaimed one amongst us, and so we decided to conduct the singing and dance competition for anyone who wanted to showcase their talents and even the two maids in charge of the looking after the children also joined in the competition as well. Some FTN members volunteered to judge the competition and tally the final marks and it was a real tough race to the top with neck and neck competition. The Prizes, certificates and trophies were handed out to the winners by our President and the children felt like on “top of the world” after their accomplishment.
It was almost evening by the time everything concluded and to top it all we gifted the children a cricket kit as a token of our appreciation and for making our day a lovely and wonderful experience. Even Mother Nature joined in the fun with rain pouring as we stepped out of the building to leave. As we travelled back on the dusty road leaving the green building behind, a mixed bag of emotions filled all our hearts; HAPPY that we made a difference in their life at least for a day, SAD that the day came to an end all of a sudden and HOPEFUL that we would be returning again soon.
Written by...Runcy Ommen
Manoj says...What a time we had...I thought my heart was a lot lighter by the time we came out,,,
Soumy said..."I missed half of the program,still I was very happy to be with them.thanks for FTN to giving this opportunity."
Afdal says..."I completely agree with u guys...........the day was awesome.......each and every single moment we shared with them are precious.....I cant explain the feeling in words...."
Surya to say..."No words.. It was so great to be part of the event.
and thanks to all for the participant... for making event great and successfull.. "
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