Gokulam-Bhaktivedanta Children's Home:

Haven for tsunami affected children

by Nilma DOLE

"I like to play with my brothers and sisters because it makes me happy", says 13-year-old Kalaivani. Ten-year-old Mayuri says that her favourite subjects are English and Art while 9 year old John says he likes to play cricket with his friends. Sashidaran, a seven-year-old says that his ambition is to be a computer engineer while eight-year-old Samson introduces his best friend 4-year-old Nimesh to us. Meeting the children of the Gokulam-Bhaktivedanta Children's Home at Wattala is an enlightening experience and talking to these children makes us wonder how we were born lucky. While every child in this orphanage has no place to call home or have love from their own family, at least we will appreciate the fact that we are blessed.

There are 115 children living in the Home and of them, 35 were affected by the tsunami. Some of them have been affected by the ethnic conflict and poverty from places like Trincomalee and Batticaloa.

Nandarani Devi, the founder and principal of the Gokulam orphanage says, "I was depressed to see the suffering when I went to some of the refugee camps and tsunami shelters which inspired me to offer a safe and peaceful haven for these children". She said that they need about Rs. 15 lakhs every month to educate, feed, clothe and shelter the children. "When I look into the eyes of the children, I know that they are lucky where many others have been less fortunate" said, Nandarani. A special programme called `COTTAGE: Children of the Tsunami - Arts, Gifts and Education" where creative entrepreneurship for disadvantaged children offers another means of financially supporting these children by harnessing their artistic talents. Special cards made by the children are available online for purchase and 100% of all the proceeds go directly to the orphanage.

When speaking to the children, it was evident that the children have a good command of the English language even though Tamil is their mother tongue.

While also studying in English, these children are quite good at conversing in English as well. At the moment, the school has a three storeyed school building with a good computer laboratory and a room for stitching and sewing.

There are eight caretakers, eight teachers, and two cooks employed at Gokulam as well as an enclosure where cows donated to the orphanage are kept and a colourful playground. "I hope that in time to come, we will have television and audio-visual aids for the children, an auditorium, an IT centre and a larger playground for a sports day," said Nandarani.

Doctors visit the orphanage about twice a month and the children are healthy with regular exercise, yoga and dancing.

\The children eat three full vegetarian meals daily that are balanced and nutritious, consisting of rice, dhal, vegetables, fruits, yoghurt and fresh milk. Gokulam is affiliated with Food for Life Global - an American based non-profit organisation that is constantly engaged in humanitarian work around the world.

The mission of the Gokulam Orphanage is to provide orphaned and needy children with a caring and holistic environment, a complete education, and to instill in them spiritual values, so that they gain the self-confidence, determination, and integrity to realize their full potential in life.

Special donations like sponsoring a child for a small cost per month can be done where letters and cards can be sent to the children. Also, donating money for a meal is also possible on certain days like holidays and birthdays.