A ray of hope for orphan girls

Published in Weekend, 2006

By Francis P. Barclay

Six-year-old Meena smiled again and took a gander at all around her with her sparkling eyes. It was the first time she was smiling after the death of her parents; and why she smiled was, Nirmala Matha Karunai Illam, an orphanage opened in Coimbatore on October 16, has adopted her. In fact, she was the first child to be adopted by the Illam.
Since the demise of her parents Meena was working as a help in a house - though the household claimed that she was their adopted child - at Sathyamangalam. That life was a hell for her at her foster parents is what her chafed hands suggest.
But now, she has got a big home, people to love and more than everything, a promising future. ``I want to become a software engineer,'' she says.
The Illam, a bounty of the Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament of Palakkad Province to the orphan girls, is a 1,300-sqft two-storey building with ---- bedrooms, a dining hall, kitchen and studyroom. It will house 20 girls in the age group of 5-8 and provide them all they need to come up in life.
The girls will get education at the Nirmala Matha Matric Higher Secondary School, which is next door. After schooling they will be given vocational training which will stand them in good stead.
Sister Dometilla, principal of the school, who envisaged the home, said ``Meena has been put in LKG in our school. She was very afraid when we brought her here. She used to hide somewhere hearing the word `stick'. She is with us for the past one month, and now she feels this is her home.''
She added: ``Girls left on the streets face a lot of problems including sexual abuse. Hence we envisaged this home to save them from the slump. Any organisation can refer orphan girls to this home.''
On funds, the Sister said ``The convent will ensure that the children's main needs are fulfilled. However, donations are welcome.''
The Illam was inaugurated by MLA SP Velumani at a function in which Mar Jacob Manathodath, the Bishop of Palakkad, was the Chief Guest.
Rev Fr John Dharman, the Director of Don Bosco Anbu Illam and Rev Fr Thomas Kavungal, the parish priest of Kuniamuthur, were present.