Diwali Holidays

This time of year is a special time to be in India, with the celebration of many festivals. Diwali is the festival of lights, and part of the Hindu religion. The whole city comes alive with lights through the streets, on the houses and constant lighting of firecrackers and fireworks! (Nath, the crackers were bringing back memories…..!!)

The first exciting event for the children was the opportunity to return home for these holidays. Most of the children in the Ashirvad home come from very poor families that have been impacted by HIV / AIDs. None of the children are positive, so sometime after they were born, their fathers contracted the disease – most of the fathers have now passed away. The fathers passed on the disease to the mothers, who became very ill and were unable to care for their children. This is where Ashirvad stepped in to help. Not only does Ashirvad support the children through the home, but they also help these mothers by providing them with nutrition and medicine. The mothers are in a much healthier state these days and most have been able to find and jobs and are working to provide for themselves. During Diwali, Christmas and the summer break in May, the children spend time with their mothers and families and then return again to the hostel when school starts.

It is important to keep these children connected with the families and villages that they come from – and of course it is a real time of joy for mothers, children and siblings to be reunited and spend time together!

The boys playing around, posing for the camera!

David - super cheeky, but super lovable!

Lankan family, these pics are for you - playing carum!

During the day, we did some crafts together, including making masks – those who were part of the HopeBuilders India team might remember these……

Doyal

David

Doyal and David

Daniel

Anita

On the evening of the official Diwali day, we took a tour of the city lights and fireworks and ate icecream. We managed to squeeze six kids, six adults and one baby into a single vehicle – that’s twelve people! We had so much fun laughing together, taking pics and just having a good time.

Marty with Doyal and David

Devika, Apsana, Daniel, Kaz, Moni, Anita

All of us piled into the vehicle!

Moni and Devika

Daniel and David - cheeky brothers

Anita and Apsana

Binita, Kaz, Marty

Marty and Apsana

Kaz, Moni, Devika

Then it just so happened that we were invited to a wedding! Pastor Harris is the Chairman of the Ashirvad Board, and his son was getting married. He kindly invited Marty and myself and the children, along with the senior Ashirvad staff, to the wedding. The kids were super excited getting dressed up – I even donned a sari thanks to some help from Devika and Binita! The kids loved the food, especially the desert – gulab jab and icecream! After the wedding, they had a special sleepover at Pushpa’s house and spent the next day there.

Apsana, Kaz, Anita

Moni, Kaz, Devika, Binita

Moni and Kaz

All the girls

Sattu Uncle and Marty with Doyal, Daniel, David

Obed and Binita with Jeremy

Sattu Uncle and Pushpa Aunty with Marty and Kaz

Sattu Uncle and Pushpa Aunty admiring Jeremy

Devika and Kaz

The next evening, it was our turn – sleepover at Marty and Kaz’s place!! We took the kids out to a restaurant, one of our favourite spots – Moti Mahal! Menu – butter chicken, butter naan, potato, salad, rice – yummy!! The kids were super well-behaved and ate more food than you can imagine . After dinner, it was back to our flat for movies and icecream. 

We had such a wonderful week together, and it was a real privilege for us to be able to spend this one on one time with these kids. It was also a real reminder of the sacrifices these children and their families make in order for them to have a better life. We are in awe of the mothers who must miss their children so much – yet recognise the opportunity given by Ashirvad, and make this sacrifice so that they can overcome poverty.