It was 8am on a Saturday and we were waiting for our bus at Fort, to take us to Hendala. We were planning to spend the day at the Preethipura Home for differently abled persons, cleaning the grounds and spending time with those that live there.
The weather was surprisingly clear as we cut the grass, pulled out the thorny weeds, raked the stray leaves - hours of hard work but never the less fulfilling.
Mr. Rajendra sat in his wheelchair and watched us as we worked. He asked each of us our names and introduced himself and slowly, told us his story. He was caught up in the Tsunami, and had water up to his neck before he was rescued by the army. It was hard not to feel something for him as the experience would have been terrifying for someone who is differently abled and helpless.
At one point he asked us if we had a camera and if he could have his photo taken. We obliged but told him that we would do so after we had finished our work. So he patiently waited, and realizing that this photo might mean more to him than we could understand, I ran towards where our backpacks were and grabbed our Canon. With the sunlight gently hitting his face and a very wide smile, I took the photograph and showed it to him. He was very happy with it. It is such small simple gestures that bring so much joy to people’s faces and it is something that we don’t realize or take for granted.
Differently abled people are judged by first impressions and are often on the fringe of society. Some of whom are unwanted by their families, because there is no one to take care of them or it is too much of a burden, they are placed in homes such as these. All of these people are helpless and more than that, lonely. Mr. Rajendra was so happy to know that amongst us volunteers were those that could speak Tamil, as he doesn’t have anyone to speak his mother tongue with.
This is why it is a worthy cause to take time out and spend time, even if it means cleaning the grounds or just singing songs with them. They appreciate the time young volunteers take to travel and come and just be with them. If they are lucky, they get visits from family members once a month and needless to say, human contact is something they yearn for. Also one should never judge someone who suffers from mental illness, or are in wheelchairs or just look different from the rest of us as lesser human beings. They love to do everything that we indulge in, and more often it is the simple things that make them happy.
As we were leaving, Mr. Rajendra was still seated in the garden. I said goodbye and he said: the reason I asked you to take a photo of me is so that you will never forget me. We don’t really need a photo to remember someone as special as him but that photo will be cherished for the rest of our lives.
(This column was written by a STITCH volunteer. To learn more visit www.stitchmovement.com. |
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