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Serving with a smile

KORAPUT: “Peace begins with a smile.” The message at the bottom of a photograph of Mother Teresa at the reception of the Home for the Dying Destitute and the Sishu Bhavan here indicates the spirit with which the Home goes about its activities.

Four sisters and other inmates observed the 10th death anniversary of the Mother by offering prayers on Wednesday. The Home offers temporary shelter to children whose mothers die after giving birth to them.

As a principle, such children, irrespective of their caste and religion, are taken care of for at least two years and then handed over to their living parent, says Sister Superior of the Home. Most of these children who are born to malnourished women continue to suffer from under nourishment. They are therefore given personal care by the sisters.

“Even one-day-old babies are welcomed with open arms,” she adds.

“It’s extremely difficult to handle such children as mother’s milk is the best diet for them. However, all the children have respond well to Nestogen and Farex,” she adds.

But the real problem begins when these children fail to adjust to the environment of their house once they are handed over to their parents.

“Many parents are bringing back their children to the Home. But, we are unable to keep them for long as the Home largely depends on donations and a few contributions from other sources. Moreover, new children reach the place on a continuous basis,” the Sister Superior says. In addition to the children, 26 destitute women also stay at the Home. Covering their heads with blankets provided by the Home, they reach out to the new entrants every day. The sparkle in their eyes and the affection they share translates the loving words of the Mother into reality.

“They are our television and their words are our radio. We listen to them,” the Superior Sister says. Some of them are mentally challenged while some others have some physical disabilities. “But, no one is unhappy here,” she asserts.

“We can’t throw anyone on the streets. Each day poses a new challenge, which is seen as another opportunity to serve and tread the path the Mother had shown,” the Sister Superior says.

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