Children`s Home - Notes (2)

When I visited 'Yoga Swamigal Illam', on the 21st January 2005, I was received cheerfully by the small girls with the shinning 'Holy Ash' stripes on their foreheads. Able to notice happy smiling faces.But I could feel something. The older ones were shy to come closer. But the whole day was spent with talking and singing. This brought the children who were shy to come closer.The close movement with them made me to notice many things.

1. There are many needs of children to be fulfilled:

Accomodation facilities and teachers and learning.
Only one hall is used for learning, living and sleeping.This prevents the studying envoirnment and the mood. Eventhough there is a willingness to learn English Language, the economical situation makes it impossible.They were yerning "Sister, all are talking in English but we are unable to". Opportunities should be made available to learn English, Science,Maths and Dancing and the introduction of computers.

Sports facilities:
Lack of space and the Home regulations made them impossible to have this facilities. Adequate space and sport equipements may make it possible.

2. The children like someone to visit often and spend time with them. Also, they like to reveal their creativity. Chances should be made for that.

3. Maintenance of the relationship among the children:
There seem to be group mentality among the children. There are conflicts among them.This brings a sitution of certain children grouping together. This may affect the future developement of this home and the conflicts among them should be removed and maintain better relationship.

4. Close relationship should be created between the children and the caretakers.The present relationship is only like caretaker and children. Because of this, the children (conflict among them or poor performance in the examinations) were punished by hitting.In addtion the children are not allowed to talk whenever they wanted allowed at specific time.

Meal time:

During the meal time, they should sit in a row and pray. Also they should have their meal without talking or looking at eachother. During this time they only use signals to get whatever is needed.They have no choice of food items other than what is available.

This prevents the homely feeling among the children. Not only that, if they want to send letters, the caretaker collects and addresses them. Eventhough this is a kind of decipline, the children are not free to write anything and prevents them from the contact with the post office.

Alternate proceedings should be created to have freedom like the rules and regulations. Also, the children must have homely feelings and learn to protect themselves.

5.Other than this, they are allowed to listen devotional songs, watch devotional films and dramas and read religious books.In the modern world these are not suitable to develope themselves. It's important to give them chances to improve their knowledge.Eventhough the children notice these situation, they hesistate to express their feelings. They feel it is wrong to do so. This behaviour is not the mistake of the caretaker or they are not doing it purposely.

As far as they are concerned this is normal procedures.This is their lack of knowledge to lookafter the children in line with the current social challenges.The function of the home should help them to identify and to develope themselves. In total the current activities of the home should bring cultural changes.

To make this possible talented activists are needed to help these homes.