The Children's Home Bhogpur
That they might have abundant life
|
The Children's Home Bhogpur That they might have abundant life |
|
|
Table of Contents
Why have a home for children from leprosy-affected communities?The Children's Home is seen by many in the leper community as a place of opportunity and hope for their children. Without this ministry the chance of their children getting educated and being successful is often not obtainable. Many of the parent's live in leper colonies where their only income is from begging, which occupies their full day. They do not have the money or time to care for their children. But even if they did have the money, their children would be mistreated and sometimes not allowed in local schools. Furthermore, many of the parents move frequently which would disrupt their children's education if they lived together. Every year there are more parents wanting to get their children into the homes than there are places at the Home. The continued social stigma, the Indian caste system and poverty that affects those with leprosy creates a situation where a child would be locked into poverty if there is no way for them to escape this environment. Back to TopIsn't leprosy eradicated?Today, the diagnosis and treatment of leprosy is easy and most endemic countries are striving to fully integrate leprosy services into existing general health services. This is especially important for those under-served and marginalized communities most at risk from leprosy, often the poorest of the poor. Access to information, diagnosis and treatment with multi-drug therapy (MDT) remain key elements in the strategy to eliminate the disease as a public health problem. Eradication is defined as reaching a prevalence of less than 1 leprosy case per 10,000 population. According to official reports received from 115 countries and territories, the global registered prevalence of leprosy at the beginning of 2006 stood at 219,826 cases, while the number of new cases detected during 2005 was 354,780 according to ILEP. Although it is now believed that India has achieved a prevalence of less than 1 leprosy case per 10,000 people, yet because of the density of the population, India continues to have the numerically highest rate of new leprosy cases of any country with reported 233,657 new cases in 2005. The success of MDT and public health campaigns has reduced the number of new cases of leprosy by approximately 20% over the past four years. However, the number of people who are marginalized by the effects of both leprosy the disease and leprosy the public stigma affects an estimated 2 million people in India disabled by leprosy that will need life-long care. Back to TopWhy take the children away from their parents? Worldwide there is a shift in thinking away from residential childcare in favor of community-based childcare. Many who used to say it is better for a child to be in a safe, nurturing environment even if this means being separated from the parents are now saying it is better for the child to be with his parents even in a dangerous or oppressive environment. This shift follows the shift in thinking of western psychology away from an emphasis on IQ and academic criteria to an emphasis on emotional well being (EQ). The question is whether the Children's Home should change its approach accordingly. The Children's Home has been operating for more than 60 years and more than 1,000 children have graduated and become well-adjusted contributing members of society. We have seen that many children growing up in leper colonies continue in poverty and the low quality of life of their parents (even if they do not contract the disease, which is likely). The success of the Children's Home stems largely from our philosophy which is summarized in our motto "That they might have abundant life". From the start the Children's Home focused on development in body, mind and spirit, not just feeding hungry children. The negative effects of taking children from their parents are largely compensated for by creating a warm, loving, family atmosphere in the Children's Home. Furthermore, the children remain in contact with their parents and many of them provide for their parents when they grow up. The Children's Home strives to foster intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual development for all the children. Back to TopDo the children ever get to see their parents? Normally one day each year is set as "Mulakat" or Parents-Meeting Day. It is a great day of enjoyment for the parents and the children. The children look forward to it like Christmas, preparing their lists of what they will ask their parents for, and then comparing their gifts with their friends' gifts. Last year the Children's Home experimented allowing the children to go home to their parents' homes for three weeks, however, the children had considerable difficulty in re-adjusting to the Children's Home and school environment, and many parents found it difficult to care for their children during that time, so now we are going back to the one day meeting as in previous years. In addition the children write to their parents from time to time. Back to TopWhat do the children do when they grow up? Most graduates of the Home choose careers in the medical field due to the availability and security of jobs. Many of the girls become nurses, and boys often become lab or x-ray technicians. A significant number have also become teachers, accountants and social workers. Back to TopWhat is a typical day for the children like?
The rising bell goes off around 6 a.m. and the children have time to get up, wash up and get dressed before morning devotions at 6:45. Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. followed by school at 7:45. School goes until 1:45 p.m. which is followed immediately by lunch. After lunch the children rest till about 4 p.m. when they have study hour. After study hour there is free time to play. Evening devotions are at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30. After dinner the older children have more study time and the younger children have some play time until 9 p.m. bedtime. Most schools in India have a half-day of school on Saturday. There are a number of religious and national holidays. During holidays the children are allowed to play and study, and the older children help with chores of cleaning, cooking and working in the garden. On Sunday the children attend Church and Sunday School and are given free time to rest and play. Back to Top |
|
Contact us at: contact@home4children.com or P.O. Bhogpur, Dehra Dun District, UA 248143 INDIA Modified:17 Jul 2008 |
