‘Whispering Hope’ kept the spirit of loving and giving alive, all through the Christmas Season, by reaching out to a wide spectrum of children. As promised, the show started on 20th December at St. Mark’s Matriculation School, Perambur, Chennai. During the School’s annual concert, exciting prizes were distributed to the children who ranked 1 to 10 in class. The excitement and joy that filled these children knew no bounds and because of this, the other children were determined to do better in their studies. The parents who attended the concert were extremely happy that their children were felicitated in such a grand manner. We could not forget the hard work put in by the teachers all the year through and colourful saris were distributed to them as a token of our appreciation. There was also a gift for each of the support staff for the hard work that they do for the school, ensuring that the children are kept in a clean environment.
Bright and sunny was the 21st December, when Whispering Hope hit the road with children all set for a trip to the beach. The children hail from a Choolai slum, (Natesan Nagar), in Chennai. They came to my home where delicious chocolates – Cadbury Roses, all the way from England(!) were distributed to them. With a girly Santa Claus, a Mother Mary and Child Jesus, the group set off in a little truck. The children were deliriously happy and kept wishing everyone on the road a ‘Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year’! We wound up at the Besant Nagar beach where mouth watering ‘aloo paratas’ and ‘kachoris’ were munched on. What’s a beach party without the icecream? And, icecream it was, for all the 20 kiddos and volunteers! After the snacks, there was a round of presents and then the children headed off to splash around in the sea. A most pleasurable day was had by one and all.
Whispering Hope also gave a helping hand to Rev. Fr Jayaraj who runs an orphanage in Malligaipuram near Kanchi. A donation was made towards the Christmas lunch and around 70 little goody bags given for the children. A few goody bags were also distributed to the children at the SALT Children’s Home in Tindivanam, near Pondicherry, and to little ones I met while driving along the village roads in the Thanjavur district.
Whispering Hope was also instrumental in distributing children’s clothes given by the sponsors to those in need. 2 Pressure cookers, a few saris and toys were also given to the needy. A little something to light up their miserable lives especially during the Christmas season – a time for loving and giving.
Whispering Hope remembered the pain and suffering that the terminally ill patients have with their battle against cancer and a hamper of toiletries, milk, dettol, etc. was presented to the Jeevodaya Cancer Hospice at Mathur, Chennai, on the 24th December. Delicious Gulab Jamuns were also given for the nursing staff and the patients to ensure that a ‘sweet’ Christmas was had by one and all. A further monetary contribution towards a day’s meal is soon to be made once the details are confirmed.
Whispering Hope also remembered the poor families taken care of by the Vincent de Paul Society of St. Joseph’s Church, Vepery, Chennai, and a sumptuous breakfast is to be given to these destitutes on the 18th January 2009.
Whispering Hope also enhanced the pension scheme and the beneficiaries are extremely happy with this small gesture from us.
Photographs are being uploaded - refer Photo Bucket/album named December 2008.
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