God8217;s gift

Very often, we witness the heart wrenching sight of a beggar-child in tatters and of women in rags, starving and clutching a baby to her ...

Very often, we witness the heart wrenching sight of a beggar-child in tatters and of women in rags, starving and clutching a baby to her heart. We watch them and try to put as much distance as we can between them and ourselves, as though escaping the scene would banish the suffering. But not all of us are escapists. Some make it their duty to do something for the unfortunate and suffering. Ishwardaan, next to the Golibar Maidan Chowk, is one such institute that is indeed God8217;s gift to the under privileged.

In 1979, when the Apostolic Carmel was sanctioned land by the then President of India, Dr. Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, through the Director General Defence Estates, Iswardaan was created under the supervision of Sister Claudia. It began on an informal basis, giving aid and help to the needy. Today it is a Trust registered under the Carmel Seva Kendra offering courses in typewriting, tailoring, embroidery, fancy work and free tuition for children.

After Sister Hermangild took over, she decided to formalise the mode of teaching so that the benefactors could use it to contribute to their livelihood. Courses in typing and embroidery have received recognition from the government of Maharashtra. She also approached the Principal of St. Anthony8217;s School and requested her to send all needy children to Ishwardaan for extra help with their studies. Sister feels that it is imperative for the child to learn how to study and with school and extra help, education would have a meaning for them.

There was no dearth of children who had no one to guide him or her at home, primarily because their parents were illiterate. When the tuition for the young ones were on, the mothers would while away the time chatting among themselves. Sister Hermangild bought some sewing machines and encouraged these mothers to learn the art of tailoring. Initially around 10 mothers joined the class and the number has been growing steadily. Each of the students is given free education, whether child or adult, and the teacher employed for the training and coaching are paid by the Trust.

Every year, Sister painstakingly gets second-hand textbooks for the children and buys notebooks and gets them covered and labelled because these are not a priority in homes where earning for a living is a daily struggle.

Tailoring students after having mastered the art are allowed to use the machines for their commercial purpose so as to be able to contribute to the family8217;s livelihood. A young widow with three children is now earning a living through a government job, having done the typewriting course. There are young girls who learn typing, teach the students in the afternoon and attend night college. Thus, they are enabled to learn, earn and continue with their education.

Sister Hermangild8217;s efforts at social work do not stay closed within the walls of Iswardaan alone. During Christmas, she and her staff take off to various other social institutions spreading joy and cheer among them. The Ishapremaniketan, Eventide Home, Mother Teresa8217;s Home and the women inmates of the Yerwada prison have benefitted immensely from them. The street children of the Mukti Yojana School were invited at Ishwar Daan for a whole day of fun and games and received wonderful gifts.

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Of course all this would not have been possible without the support of the people around, who as volunteers, take on the task of teaching the children and those who contribute money, materials and food that could help the children. In fact, there are so many of us who search for the right place to donate materials no longer required by us, but do not know where to go for fear of being cheated in the name of social welfare. At Ishwardaan, each and every item donated, is beautifully cared for by Sister herself, and given away to all these children who really need them. Believe me, we could only grow richer with their gratitude coming our way.