I,
Jacintha Aranha, along with my husband Francis, daughter Renita, and son Rylan have
been a part of Snehasadan for the past 15 years and continuing. It’s been a
journey full of laughter and tears, hope and fear, uncertainty and clarity.
This journey looks very long, yet it feels like ‘yesterday’, when I began
working in Snehasadan, on May 1st, 2007, in a house filled with the confused
yet welcoming eyes of 17 boys, whose numbers soon increased to 24. Since then,
it’s been a roller-coaster ride, since my husband had his job and my children
were in school, especially my son who was in class 2 then, it was difficult for
me to manage everything. The boys of the home were very accommodating,
especially the bigger boys who were very helpful. Vijay, the oldest of them
all, who had just given his SSC exam and was on vacation then, provided me most
of the assistance. To be a houseparent is a challenging job. It is a big
responsibility, to guide the boys to achieve a better future, and to give them a
sense of security. Back then, we did not have tuition teachers, so I used to
teach them, take their lessons, cook, take them to the doctor, and to school.
It was heart-breaking when some of the new boys would run away, as they were
used to the freedom that street-life offered; but Fr. Placido reassured me that
if I prayed, they would return if they wanted to. The boys did return in a day
or two, being apologetic and wanting to stay back. It was with Fr Placido’s
guidance that I was able to fulfil my commitment. One of the many things he
told me was, to wait for the boys at the door when they would return from
school, as they would want to share about their day.
I
have been stern with regard to studies, and wanted them to excel in academics.
Badal was the first of our boys who went to college. There were other boys too who
followed later. Sending them to college brought other challenges, such as,
changes in dressing, hairstyle, wanting a mobile phone, etc. 2019 was a year
when my boys made me proud, as they got 82% and above marks at their SSC examination.
A few of the older boys are now married and have their own small families. They are working in India as well as abroad. The boys who stay in Mumbai and neighbouring towns, do come to visit and spend time with the present children. During Christmas, these come along with their spouses and children. It a delight to see them all doing well professionally and personally. So far, I have been blessed in being able to nurture boys who came to Snehasadan, House No.4.
It is my constant prayer that
wherever these boys may go, they may live a happy and healthy life.
