 Team Reports |
Memories of KolkataIrene Harrison — Milton, ON
Memories flood me, overwhelm me with so many emotions that appear to be contradictory, but reflect the experience I have had as team leader for the Kolkata bedkit distributions for Sleeping Children Around the World [SCAW] over the last three years — this my last. I have seen abject poverty but also felt the joy of those living in contentment, living a simple life. I have seen the grinning faces, the gleaming eyes of those children who have received bedkits — treasures to them, yet bare necessities to us. I have felt the sadness watching those who have gathered at the distributions, but received nothing and hope their turn will come one day.
I can hear the beautiful, rhythmic music of students who have performed for us, been captivated by the movements of young classical Indian dancers and recall the harmony and pride of voices raised in the singing of their anthem. I can feel the warmth of handshakes of those who have welcomed and thanked us for the small contribution we have made to their lives. I shall never forget the clutch of sobbing mothers, trembling in their gratitude as they embraced us. I see the pride in their faces as they show us their humble homes, barely lit by a ray of sunshine filtering through their patchwork roofs. I shall never forget how those experiences touched me. These memories will never leave me. So many faces to remember; so many stories to share; so many new friends to embrace. The work of our Overseas Volunteers, the Rotary Club of Dum Dum, has been exemplary. They have gone beyond the guidelines and expectations of SCAW, feeding both children and parents at distributions, providing instruction for waiting parents on nutrition, health and parenting, and the importance of education.
We have witnessed the private enterprise and charity of individual citizens who are motivated to alleviate poverty and assist in educating the children. We have been impressed with the generosity of vendors who have contributed to the bedkits at cost. Together, with you, our donors, without whom none of this would be possible, we have worked to bring some comfort and hope for the less fortunate children. Across the oceans, despite diversity in culture and language, we have all come together in unity and strength of purpose to continue Murray Dryden's dream. We saw this quote when we visited an exhibit at Mother Teresa's orphanage in Kolkata: "You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have really lived, are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love." The children of India know that someone in Canada loves them. Thank you donors for your continued generosity. It does make a profound difference. |
