SNEHASADAN MY HOME

 SNEHASADAN MY HOME

                    Lonavala Camp Senior Girls' Drawing Competition - Second Prize, Rajshree (House 9)

                It was 5^th August 2013, and dark clouds were hovering over Mumbai City. It was pouring heavily on that day and I was drenched in the rain. With my life shattered due to the death of my parents, my brother and I were brought to the children’s home run by Snehasadan. Entry into the institution didn’t scare me as there were sweet Didis (social workers) to welcome me but I was anxious because it was a totally new world for me. I was admitted into Snehasadan House No. 9, while my brother was sent to one of the boys’ homes.

Snehasadan House No. 9 was a big building and there were many other girls. Probably, there were 25 to 30 girls. I was not used to staying with so many people around. Mine was a small family; Mom, Dad, my brother and me. Adjusting with so many girls was a difficult task for me. For the first few days, I used to sit alone in a corner and just cry. I was also missing my brother because we had never stayed away from each other.

The presence of older girls in the house brought much needed consolations, as they cared for me and made me understand the ups and downs of life. Gradually, I developed friendship with the other girls in the house and happy days began for me in Snehasadan House No. 9. It became for me a ‘Home’ of love and care.

The next challenge that I had to face was getting ready to go to school. ‘School’ ‘education’ and ‘study’, these words had become a big worry for me as I had missed schooling for a long time.  One day, Sr. Goretti asked me about school and till which class I had studied. I had no answer to these questions. The Sister, the social workers and the Fathers understood the plight of this little Cinderella and arranged for me an admission in St. Catherine’s Primary School, Jogeshwari West. I was enrolled in class 4, as per my age which was 11years. For the first time, I entered a big and beautiful school building.  Sisters in the House started giving me tuitions and in no time, I made quite good progress in my studies. I began to like reading story-books and developed a keen interest in studies.

My experience tells me that Snehasadan is not just an institution but a home for me and children like me. It has nurtured my life and the lives of many other boys and girls. This year, I completed the HSC and began moving forward in life by taking admission for GNM Nursing in Holy Spirit Hospital, Andheri. Snehasadan has supported me and continues to support me and accompany me in my life. I am grateful to Snehasadan, to all the Sisters who enriched my life, all the social workers who helped me and all the Fathers for helping me at every stage of my life. 

- Sadhana Vaghoskar (House No.9)

MY JOURNEY IN SNEHASADAN

Lonavala Camp Senior Girls' Drawing Competition - First Prize, Bhagyarathi Swami (House 9)

 My Journey in Snehasadan 

I was happy at home till some issues erupted and I had to come to Snehasadan Home No. 9, on 21^st January 2021. Within 2 days I got tired of staying here. I was very sad the whole day and frustrated because I was not getting the happiness of having my family and friends. Sometimes, I thought of running away from here but at the same time, I was also afraid of going out alone. Gradually, I started thinking positively as I observed other girls living happily in House No.9. Many of them became my good friends.

           As the months passed, I was joyful and happy to stay here because of the love and care of the sisters and the other girls. I also realized that happiness is not found only in the family or friends and the phone; it is also about nurturing my own life by utilizing given opportunities. Snehasadan was one such opportunity. As I started interacting with everyone my world in Snehasadan changed. The girls are very caring and helpful. They took good care of me, whenever I was sick or injured. And from the start till now, I am very safe here and protected from all dangers. All the Fathers and Sisters pay special attention into each child in Snehasadan. Now, I feel that I am very lucky that I came to Snehasadan and got everything that I could not get at home.

          In the beginning, I thought that staying here I cannot do anything, but now I know that here I can fulfill all my dreams. I can achieve my goals with the help of Fathers, Sisters and social workers. They got me admitted to Sunflower Secondary English Medium School for my 10^th standard. They made available a separate coaching teacher for my difficult subjects. I have successfully completed my SSC with 79%.

      Fathers, Sisters and social workers are very caring, loving, and sweet. Fr. Noel, Fr. Welington and Fr. Lenoy are very loving and gentle. They always showed me the right path and give me love and blessings.

We also got to go to Lonavala for holiday camp. There, all girls of Snehasadan, Fathers, Sisters come togethr to enjoy the vacation. Now, I don’t want to go away from Snehasadan. I am really very happy to stay here. Snehasadan has been a blessing in my life.

I love Snehasadan.

- Karishma Verma (House No.9)