Namaste! (Hello in Hindi),

So, I am back from India... and ah man, what an incredible gift I have been given to have been fortunate enough to travel there, experience a taste of Indian existence, and to meet and share my time and energy with these disadvantaged yet awesome and inspiring children.

I have volunteered at Gwalior Children's Hospital's Charity which consists of a small children's hospital, two slum schools, a medical outreach team visiting rural areas (without access to healthcare), an orphanage called "Snehalaya" and an outreach care team who work at a deprived government orphanage. The Charity is the inspiration of a UK-based, Gwalior-educated physician who grew up in the area. http://www.helpchildrenofindia.org.uk/I  I can sincerely say that I believe this to be a very worthwhile charity - one which is motivated to develop necessary services which are holistic and appropriate to local needs.

The charity kept me busy running health checks on all the children at both orphanages and slum schools, attending rural outreach clinics, being involved in various health promotion activities, and giving training sessions to teachers and carers on first aid, fever/seizure management and child development. However, to me, the most important aspect of the work was volunteering as part of the outreach service for the government-run orphanage named "The Mercy Home"...  a heart-breaking excuse for a children's care home with children left barely clothed, barely fed, unstimulated, at times sitting in their own faeces or blood. "The Mercy Home" was the reason why the charity set up "Snehalaya", their own orphanage - in order to legally transfer these poor children to a better existence. And indeed it is. It is a real community, currently housing and caring for 36 children (those lucky enough to be transferred), many of whom have learning difficulties and behavioural problems, epilepsy, cerebral palsy or HIV. There are five cottages that house 7 or 8 children, each with two carers, creating a more home-like environment. Snehalaya has two classrooms, a multi-sensory room and a room for physiotherapy, thus providing education, stimulation and physical activities suited to the individual child’s needs. Each Sunday one cottage is taken out of the compound for an outing – usually to the historical fort, the zoo or the market.

The whole charity runs on donations. Whatever you would like to donate, however small - would be enormously appreciated and there is no doubt that it would make an enormous difference to the children who attend the hospital, the schools and especially those who are given a home at the orphanage. Snehalaya aim to build more cottages and thus transfer more children from "The Mercy Home" to an existence where life has value and meaning.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Gwalior Children's Hospital will receive your money faster and, if you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Though you may think I am kind, I know that I am unbelievably blessed to be living the life that I life, but moreover, to have had the opportunity to exchange such an experience with these precious children. Thank you so very much for your support.

With all my love and spicy Indian sunshine,

Helen Melon X