“How long are you taking to make that lime juice, what is going on in the kitchen?”
Sounds familiar? Mothers, yes they are the same every where. Loving, firm, stern and of course motherly in every sense of the word. And so it was in the Chatnath Homes in Tambaram.
The SOS Children's Villages of India is a non-government voluntary organisation which reaches out to orphans and homeless. When a destitute child steps into an SOS village, she receives a home and a family of with a mother, brothers and sisters. Once they come here, life is just like in any household. They go to school, and later on to college after which they choose careers which they like. They live away from home, but visits to their home in the Village during the weekend is looked forward to. Children, who marry, come with their spouses and children to visit their mom and spend time with her.
At the SOS Village at Chatnath Home in Tambaram, the day began a little later than usual as it was vacation time. Nine to 10 kids live with their “Amma” in a home. There are 14 homes, neat and compact with a tiny garden running around the home and paved pathways.
At home
At “Ushas House”, (each house has a name)Vatsala Amma had just finished cooking. “These children just want to drink juice the whole time” she grumbled. “In this heat they don't want to eat,” as the nannari juice finally arrived. “They help me in the kitchen and household chores so I have no problems,” she smiled.
Seventeen-year-old Dhanalakshmi, who came to the home as a three-month-old baby is awaiting her Std. XII results. Her amma was very keen that they should study and be able to stand on their own feet. “During my Xth, I was more interested in chatting with my friends and that too for long hours. But one day amma scolded me and then burst into tears. I felt very bad about this and mended my ways.”
“She doesn't let me wander off as I would like to, but that's ok, sometimes,” laughs Vignesh, Std. VIII of Zion M.H.S. Dhanalakshmi says, “At times I'm lazy and don't clean, then I get it ‘nicely' from her.” Krishnaveni who is studying in Std VI in Jain Vidyalaya, said that she loved the tomato and sambar rice her mom made. But Vatsala amma butted in “Huh, they love to eat only fried potatoes.”
Festivals are celebrated with gusto and birthdays are specially celebrated. While amma sees that vadai and payasam are integral part of the celebrations, a cake too is occasionally cut.
But for their amma's birthday, they make a bouquet from the flowers in the garden and contribute from their pocket money to buy a gift. Those who work spend the day/evening with her. “We pamper her a bit that day and don't let her work too much,on that day,” laughed the kids.
At “Rotary House,” Banumathi amma proudly listed her daughter Meera Mahalakshmi's achievements. “She is great in sport and has won so many tournaments. We thought she will do well in a sports school, but Meera wants to only study now.” Meera, who had arrived at the Village as a 15-day-old baby, is now awaiting her Std. XII results. She says, “I have played Badminton, at the State Level and won II rank, but I want to do it ‘by the side'.”
Looking at the mothers, who believed in them, gave them every kind of support and confidence, spoke up for them and defended them, these young boys and girls, are confident that they can face challenges in life with strength and dignity.
Celebration
Mother's Day is an annual holiday that recognises mothers and motherhood. It is celebrated on the second Sunday in May.
On May 9, 1914, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation, declaring the first national Mother's Day, as a day for American citizens to honour mothers whose sons had died in war.
On May 9, 1905, Anna Marie Jarvis lost her mother. She decided to remember her on this day and in 1908 at the first celebration Jarvis delivered 500 carnations as that was her mother's favourite flower. Ever since carnations represent Mother's Day.
For the summer
A three-week summer camp — swimming, clay modelling, painting and drawing, theatre, singing and more... from May 3 to 25 at SOS Children's Villages of India, Chatnath Homes, Tambaram. For more information contact : S. Nambi Varatharajan : 9445070149; 9500118759, (044)22395061 or mail : soscvich@gmail.com; snvrajan1@yahoo.co.in
Log on to : www.soschatnathhomes.in; www.soscvindia.org /
