Shanthi Street Kids.

Malkers

So here goes the blog from my visit to Shanthi and her Street Kids. Read it and weep!

Well where to start, I really don't know and up front I apologise if this post looks a little all over the place as I'm sure I will be reminded of things as I'm writing.

I didn't know much about Shanthi and had never taken the time to read her posts. John called me on Thursday and explained her plight about needing a washing machine partly to save her hands but also to give her more time with the children. I'm great friends with John, trust his judgement so if he makes a mercy call to me like that, I'm gonna help out and hence the fantastic last few days. Living in India gives us a great life and spare cash too, it’s only right to give a bit back sometimes.

We left Bangalore at around 7.45am, took the brilliant NH7 Highway out and were knocking on Shanthi's door at just before 9.30am. Fab, that is a quicker journey for me than going to the north end of the city and a smoother ride too.

We could barely enter the door with the excited kids that greeted us. The first thing you can't help noticing is the couple of lads that have the disabilities, like something you shouldn't look at but your eyes just keep getting drawn to, this lasted all of 5 minutes once we realised how these little lads just don't let it bother them or slow them down, so much energy. Tony has no arms and one small leg that doesn’t work properly, so the only way he can get around is by rolling - and we were very soon treated to Tony's infamous floor roll straight away, totally blew me away!

We sat down around the table in the lounge and I realised how normal everything is, I guess I had this vision of a typical 'Children’s Home' with everything being prim and proper and in its place, not this, this is a family home like any other and has that great 'lived in' look typical of any other house with children that are allowed to be children.

I was already warmed to Shanthi, you can't fail to be and it is instantly apparent that this woman is remarkable, unselfish and so very kind. She puts these kids before anything for herself regardless of how she feels as she suffers from arthritic and osteo problems but maintains that doing what she does helps her forget her own woes. She also insists that it is she who is the lucky one to have the privilege of looking after her children and I don't just mean the 5 that live with her, I mean all the other children who visit and love her just the same.

I think the kids knew we'd have presents for each of them so we didn't keep them waiting too long before presenting them each with a box of goodies including one particular item each that Shanthi had said they wanted. A few rupees spent and these kids faces were alive, the two latest arrivals sisters Jaysri & Susi were a little withdrawn at first and didn't take much notice but they soon relaxed, I can't imagine what these little angels had been through but you kinda get the feeling there was no love or respect involved, until now of course. Shanthi doesn't treat any of the children any differently, she gives them the respect of an adult yet allows them to be children too but she don't take too much messing and why should she, she has the right balance.

We didn't forget Shanthi of course, how could you? She needs love and to feel special sometimes too so we presented her with a bag of goodies plus an "Envelope for a bad day" plus an envelope containing cash all donated over 2 days from generous members of The India Tree and Indiamike, this separate from the donations that came through Paypal on her website in the last 2 days also., Shanthi thanks you from the bottom of her heart. So for the first time this day, Shanthi was knocked over and the tissues were required.

As a direct result of this kindness, her two boys can now have operations that they otherwise couldn't have afforded. Tony's baby teeth have not come out yet and his new set are trying to join them causing an urgent problem. Magesh has a permanent cold due to a sinus problem (I had the same as an adult and it's horrible) which he can now have sorted straight away and as early as the end of this week. She will thank you all personally later this week.

Now imagine having 5 kids but only one of them (Tony) speaks the same language as you, go on imagine it? This proves that "love" is an international language and the most important one you can use to communicate with your children. But, here is where Tony brilliantly takes to his role as Assistant Manager and Interpreter to the masses. What a fantastic guy, whatever Shanthi needs to say, she tells Tony and he immediately translates it all into Tamil for the other children. If there are a big group of visitors that need to be told not to have more than one biscuit, Shanthi will dangle Tony all over their heads and swing him whilst he is giving verbal instructions, it’s outstanding cooperation for a little lad who has no left arm at all, no right leg at all, just a 3 inch stump for a right arm and a very short left leg with a couple of tiny toes. He is just 7.5 years old.

Shanthi told me what she had said to Tony the other day, “Tony darling you know I don’t thank you enough for all you do for me with translation to the other children” His reply, “Mummy you don’t ever have to thank me for anything” ! Now didn’t that put a lump in your throat? He never grumbles or complains, an amazing child!

Magesh is the big smiler, cool dude, ladies man even. His response to everything is that big beaming smile that melts you, he has 2 tiny arms that he simply doesn’t allow to hinder him at all, he is affectionate and very kind particularly pushing Tony around in the pedal car that Tony steers perfectly with his tiny toes as can be seen in the picture gallery. His Dad and new wife don’t want him, just cast him aside like a piece of nothing, how can that be for a child that is so loving? It truly beggars belief, thank goodness for Shanthi again.

Meena is a very pretty, very happy 10 year old who again is blessed with a permanent smile, her father died several years ago and sadly her mother also died in the last few weeks. She is big sister to all the residents at Shanthi Krishnagiri and another great helper to Shanthi. She gets the drinks for all the children and gets the washing from the line and folds it up into several piles for each kid - she does all this without being asked or forced, she is shown love and respect in turn. She now goes to a good school and is doing very well. The sad thing is that had her parents not died they would never have been able to afford to send her to this school, ok so there can be no replacement for your parents lives but isn’t this good that she now gets a chance.

The other two new residents, sisters Jaysri & Susi, I know little about apart from the fact they have been through hell and back and are still struggling to get used to the idea of living without fear and being shown unconditional love. They are settling in gently if a little nervous of men still. They have nightmares and wander about at night which Shanthi could seriously do without, but of course she just takes it all in her stride.

So, we went to get that new washing machine that Shanthi has been desperate for, with 5 kids in residence, all that hand washing was too much for Shanthi’s arthritic hands and aching back and obviously very time consuming. We managed to persuade the shop to deliver, install and demo the washing machine the same day so that we knew we could leave Krishnagiri knowing it was all done and working. Bless the demo guy for he did 3 loads just to demonstrate the thing, all fine and a great weight off the shoulders.

Well, 2.30pm on a Saturday and all hell lets loose in the Shanthi household as all the local street kids gather their friends and come along for the afternoon for an ‘English’ lesson. Well of course they don’t pay too much attention and one mention of the paddling pool and they are all stripped off waiting for Shanthi to hand out the spare underwear collection that she has there. There are rules though, all the kids have to shower before they go in the pool which of course seems to make no difference as the water turns brown almost immediately but hey, at least the kids get a good wash.

Its absolute pandemonium for the next half hour whilst everything that shouldn’t get wet gets wet, including the adults! Tony gets stuck in as much as the rest and can do some real damage splashing with his small but tough little leg. Then it is inside for drinks and biscuits shared out in an orderly manner, tee hee! A little more playtime and it is time for the visitors to leave… the kids disappear into the streets from whence they came, to return another day!

Well, we had a few more coffees and shot the breeze with Shanthi, she certainly enjoyed the day as much for the fact she was able to talk with other adults in the same language, I never thought of that before but it is understandable how hard that must be. I enjoyed that part too and Shanthi is one fascinating lady who has been through enough in her own life as well. If you are in Bangalore or anywhere close by, please visit even if you can’t donate anything, sure money is the most important thing she needs right now but help and support have a huge worth too!

We left around 7pm to give chance for the children to settle before bed time at 7.15. As we all left exhausted my thoughts were with Shanthi who has to still be there for whatever problems the kids spring on her in the night, plus more washing, ironing and tidying up and cooking the idly for their tiffins the following day, it just never stops for her and if I can say this with affection, she ain’t no spring chicken either. We all know that it is cheap to have pressing (ironing) done in India but she won’t spend a rupee of the donations on that, it’s all for the kids. It is my wish that between us we can donate a small amount and insist that it is for that purpose so she doesn’t have a choice about it, she is just too thoughtful.

Something else I realised on the journey home is that nothing during the day moved me to tears or put a lump in my throat and yet I was sure that it would. It suddenly hit me why this was! I really didn’t feel sorry for those children, not even the ones with physical disabilities as they have the best possible care and happiness they could hope for with Shanthi, they are like a normal family, what more could they want?

My big concern is for Shanthi herself, she sure can’t go on for ever and needs help and several things to make her life not just easier, but healthier and happy. I will guiltily think of her next time I am at a spa having a massage knowing that she can never do this, maybe I won’t bother with that massage after all, there are more worthwhile things to spend money on.

I’ll be quite blunt in saying that she does need lots more financial help, she needs a deep freezer, more clothes donated, somebody to spend a day doing odd jobs with drills and screws, I’m sure she’d appreciate some lovely things too like a Bodum Coffee Plunger, more beds, more furniture, a day at a spa whilst somebody looks after the children, a minibus, the list is endless but if lots of people donated just a little then she could continue to do her wonderful and important work and it can continue long after she has gone, she will be a true legend in India forever. Enlightenment? It’s right here in Tamil Nadu.

I’ve never really got involved with a charity before or found myself trying to promote one either, maybe I have never seen a more worthwhile cause!

Finally, to Shanthi (Maureen), thank you so much for a fantastic day and allowing us the privilege of seeing inside your world for the day. It was a truly enriching experience that Jen & Vik and I will never forget and I’m happy to say there will be a few more visits from us.

Enough Said!

Malc

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Personal Travel Blog

lotus blossom

Malc -- thank you for that wonderful report on Shanthi and her remarkable work. I knew that she was doing some fantastic things, but reading your post helped me to visualize her work and her new family. Simply beautiful...I will try and make an effort to get to that part of india when i am next there.

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Not all who wander are lost

MeCasa

Nice post

Nick-H

Thank you, Malc: wonderful post.

On a very personal note: I believe I had a share in that paddling pool from a small donation sometime back. Although Shanti sent lots of thanks at the time, there could be nothing so lovely as reading your description of the kids in the pool.

So glad to hear abour the washing machine.

Just caught up with the flickr pictures too, which are great.

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Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Malkers

Hi Nick

You can rest assured that paddling pool is one great thing and very popular with all the visitors.

Though I don't think it will be long before she needs another

I'm still smiling thinking about Saturday, it was so much fun.

I know that Shanthi was straight into the dentists this morning having an xray of Tony's teeth, that's progress.

Thanks again on behalf of Shanthi for evryone's kind donations and beautiful words!

Malc

Malkers

I spoke to Shanthi this morning, she apologised for not realising there was all the kind messages of support on here but as you know with her 'rubber band' connection in her local cyber cafe, it takes her an age just to load a page or compose a message.

Anyway, I said I'd relay this information.

Tony had his dental operation yesterday and all went well, he was supposed to be knocked out under GA and they thought he was until he started telling Shanthi all about what he could see when he got home later

Tony being Tony has not complained one single bit although Shanthi did say he was milking it for all it was worth, and why not??

Two other children were booked in for school for the first time today also, this was the two sisters Jaysri and Susi.

She could not have done any of these things without the help over the last few days from the members of these wonderful Indian travel forums and she and the children send you all their best wishes and thanks!

Several folk have asked about other things they might help with so I asked Shanthi about a wish list which will be published on her website later with guessed average costs involved.

If you'd like to help, please PM me first as if it is things that can be bought easier locally here in Bangalore then it is more advantageous and with less charges to route funds through either my UK bank account or my PayPal account as I have a better rate on Paypal and can transfer easier into rupees this way.

There are many things which can't be bought in Krishnagiri but CAN be bought in Bangalore. I will personally cover any transportation costs for anything that is donated and bought in Bangalore!

Kindest regards
Malc
http://www.shanthistreetkids.org/

Sama

watch the video -- it will melt your heart.....

hey, y'all...let loose with some dead presidents....donate, give what you can (I just did thru paypal).
besides....you'll be cultivating some positive karma for yourselves...

if every IMer gave $5 or even $1.......hmmmmm

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My India, 2005-2008
BE THE REVOLUTION

shanthi

On Saturday and Sunday, visiting children (whose numbers vary from 0 - 26 each week depending on the presence of the authorities on the streets) once fed and watered (and some of them, showered) are all chatting noisily and for all intents and purposes, it then of course turns the playroom into a definite no-go area for adults!! From behind the screen door I watch this one child - this child who is normally forever attracting my attention for all the wrong reasons. He stands alone by the window, staring out past the garden and the wall that encloses it. He's looking somewhere that even space cannot capture. I wonder where he is and what anxieties plague his young mind....food....shelter and perhaps the loving arm he craves.....all these and more. Most of the visitors come here to be children - some for the first time in their lives perhaps....to sing and play, and dance and go wild....their inhibitions are left outside with their worries for a while, and the English Lesson that they come for sometimes takes place...sometimes it doesnt - as when I see these children turn from the role of semi-adult to carefree child, who the hell am I to clip their wings further and make them sit and listen and behave? It is enough they come.

For most, it is perhaps the first time also that they have actually had someone who cares for them with no more expectation in return than that they try to come every week, or more if they so wish. As they arrive they are greeted with a warm cuddle and the same when they're leaving, and some in between. My heart is lighter that I can reach them - but so much heavier too as they leave and go again into the uncaring and sometimes very hostile streets where they have to pull out all the stops to survive...until the next time they come.

I know where they've come from and to where they return - it's not a pretty picture -

Our residents have all found amazing people that now care for them in all kinds of ways, and they, like me, stand dumbfounded that they do care!


......And the child who stands by the window alone?

I know where he is

john.sw

Despite the fact that I have just “celebrated” my fiftieth birthday, I obviously haven’t reached adulthood yet, because I have agreed to have my hair massacred to raise some funds for http://www.shanthistreetkids.org!

Please take a look at the web site!

Wish me luck!

All the best,

John

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Nick-H

John, it's nice to see you here again: nothing wrong with having two good restaurants on the street

Best wishes on reaching that 50! It really is quite a milestone! Have a great Second Half Century

And Shanthi too, nice to see you.

paula.t

Hi people, just joined today and I'm searching around for a possibility of volunteering somewhere in Tamil Nadu when I found this thread in the vollunteering section. Sounds like a good bet? Better go and have a look at this charity's website I suppose.

dzibead

A very good bet. Shanthi isn't just some abstract and distant organization. We know her and her brood, and they're like family.

paula.t

Wow! that was quick dzibead - thanks for the encouraging remarks. One has to make sure that it is a worthwhile cause, that's why I wanted to speak to some of you that knew of this charity.

capt_mahajan

umm, causes are always worthwhile. sometimes the people behind the causes may not be.

with shanthi, you get the two in one deal... worthwhile cause and a good person behind it.

cyberhippie

Another shout for Shanti and what she does!!

Here's some photos taken by member Malkers

Shanti Street Kids

By the way do you like to talk???? As I've heard our Shanti is quite the conversationalist!!