Anandam

Parents - Gods on earth, one who value the love and care of their children more than any luxuries in the world, one who have made numerous sacrifices to get their children’s dreams come true, one who always stood as a big wall protecting their children from all the catastrophes of life.

The irony is that in this modern world none of the younger generations believe this and alas old age homes have emerged very badly when compared to the previous decades.

Amigos team has experienced the same upon visiting 2 old age homes on August 29, 2009

1) Old age welfare association, Nizampet, Hyderabad:

This was run by an association, they take in people from different parts of India, at present there are almost 150 members living at the home. Amigos team of 25 has visited the place on 29 August 2009.

We had a chance of visiting each and every member in their rooms and hearing their stories and experiences and they had different life story to share. Some were left behind by their children, some were very poor to be taken care of by others and some wanted to spend their remaining days peacefully.

Our eyes and heart were filled with grief after hearing to how ungrateful grown up children can be and sorrows each and every individual over there have faced.

Main points we learned from them were:
World is a school itself, one shouldn’t run behind money. Put in all the effort and earn as much as you can and not by going in wrong ways. Shouldn’t forget to enjoy the life, should make others happy, and forgive others. Be good to yourself and also others.

Amigos have donated 50Kgs Rice bags and 2 Crompton Greaves ceiling Fans to the home.

2) Anandashramam, Mushirabad, Hyderabad.

Another old age home run by Mrs. Prema vishwanathan (Retired Bank manager), there were 13 people in her home. After talking to her and listening to the stories about the people at her old age home we felt like touching her feet as the amount of service she is offering is unbelievable.

Due to lack of fund she had only two rooms to serve the old people. She brought in people who were really sick and had taken care of them in their last moments.

A Microwave was donated by Amigos team to the home as per the request. This will be useful for them in the winter season.

The main motto behind visiting these old age homes was to learn the experiences and ideas of the people who have seen in and out of the life, which will definitely help our younger generation to lead the life in a proper way.

Message from Amigos: The solace the parents get from their children cannot be provided by the luxurious facilities in old age homes. Old age homes are a lame excuse to the atrocities done by the children to their aged parents. Parents should be treated like god and they should be cared for when they are lonely and helpless. Our responsibilities to our parents cannot be fulfilled by any old age homes.

The previous balance with the AMIGOS team is: 9,365
The total amount collected for this activity is: 4,000
The total amount spent for the activity is: 7,120 Rs.
Balance with AMIGOS Team : Rs. 6,245.00

* For more clear information about the contributions and expenditures, please visit this activity details at AMIGOS community: http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=51585382&tid=5373705562894894797&na=2&nst=39

Pictures:

Sadhana 2nd Visit

AMIGOS team visited Sadhana Home for mentally retarded for the second time on 2nd August (Friendship day) which is located in Naacharam. A group of 18 members reached the place around 2.30 pm. This time almost 10 new members joined for the AMIGOS activity, we really feel happy about it.

It was a new building with ample place in the premises for the kids to play. By the time we reached all the kids were waiting for us in the hall. We were welcomed with warm hugs and kisses. We started with introduction of the kids. After the intro we took the kids to the open place downstairs.

We started with the old all time favourite game “The Train”. All of us along with the kids became the train and ran across the open space, it was real fun. Then came “Ringa Ringa Roses......” and later we played “Blind folded”. They played so well that they caught us much faster than we could. We played “Musical chairs” after that. We all enjoyed a lot.

One of the kids was a diehard cricket fan, we had some virtual cricket going on the background while others were playing skipping and some catches with the rings and flying disks we brought along for the kids....... One of the kids ... was so active that she made us run around the ground for some time. She was enjoying herself to the max...

After all the running we all sat down for drawing and colouring.... All the AMIGOS team members sat down with the kids helping to colour. Can’t believe the talent the kids have. All the kids showed a lot of interest and dedication and they had amazing hidden talents in them. One can wonder why they are referred as mentally challenged as none of them seemed to be one.

After a wonderful time of colouring we all gathered for cake cutting. We ended the event with lots of group pictures with the kids..... We all enjoyed so much that it was really hard to leave the place. Kids couldn’t see us leaving; we all ended up with tears in the eyes.

The event was a great success we all came back with hearts filled with memories and a wonderful message to remember..... “One need to appreciate what we have with us instead of starving for what we don’t, as there are people who don’t have all that but still enjoy their lives to the fullest”........

“Enjoy your life to the fullest with whatever you got”.

Special thanks all the people who joined the event and making it successful and all the people who have contributed for the same and also we should appreciate Chanakya, Nikil and Vinod for their efforts in making this event very successful.

Expenditure for this event:

Total amount collected: 10,980.00
Total Amount Spent for this Event: 3,815.00
Balance Amount with AMIGOS team: 7,165.00

For the contributors information and expenditure details, please visit AMIGOS community @ http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=51585382&tid=5365115825871390413&start=1 or just drop a mail to chaitanya.kalyan@gmail.com.

we look forward for our next event with the same level of enthusiasm and more participation….Thank you for all your support and wishes


Event Pictures: