MARIA SHARAN
For years I have been privileged to witness the great work done by the Salesian Sisters at Maria Sharan in India. The Orphanage and Girls' Shelter which I regularly visit has Sisters dedicatedly caring for 50 girls between the ages of 7 and 18. The last time I visited we had a great day of celebration. In India, hospitality is the keyword, and the children and I love to see each other and catch up on how they have been doing in school and in their lives. I had brought sparkling bangles from Ireland, and together with clips and pretty hair accessories, the girls had great fun getting their little gift from the people in Ireland.
There was so much news! Successful school graduations, completion of post-graduation courses; work received in good jobs. Truly a tribute to the care of the Sisters. The children call me 'Didi', which is an affectionate name for 'older sister'. They have somehow adopted me as extended family, as they know how keenly we at Lumiere Charity are interested in their welfare and their prospects for a brighter future.
ETHOS
Lumiere's main ethos is that education is the key for a better future. We have been helping street children, orphans and homeless since 2004 to secure education, and get jobs and places to live. We do this by fundraising for education, clothing, shelter, medical expenses and all that goes into caring for children. The Sisters' care for the children is devoted and motherly, and needless to say the girls thrive. The Sisters ensure full education and care for the children, and also teach them extra-curricular activities including computer classes, art, cross stitching, crafts, painting and colouring. Tallaght Library in Dublin, Ireland, donated English books for the children which they are making great use of. Lumiere regularly sends boxes of items for the children, and our grateful thanks go to our donors and Tallaght Library for their generous and thoughtful donations.
AGRICULTURAL PROJECT
The Sisters began an agricultural project a few years ago. This project is flourishing with well tended crops. The animals are in good health. One of the cows was delivering her calf while I was there, and the villagers were taking it in turns to sit with her throughout the night.
The covered well gives many litres of clear water a day, which provides fresh water for watering the fields and trees, and clean bathing water is purified for use by all. The many crops nourish the children and are sold by the villagers in the local markets. The villagers love working on the project, and their work and the Sisters' dedication are clear to see in the development of the Project.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP?
If you would be interested in donations towards the care and education of the children, and/or towards the growth and sustenance of the vibrant agricultural project, please contact; msharan98 @yahoo.com
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