Cash or Kind?

Honestly, I was clueless.

The response I got from one of the orphanages actually caught me off guard. I innocently wanted to know if it is okay to get gifts for kids when I visit them. I was told in detail about the condition of the school’s infrastructure and they were pretty direct about seeking cash donations only. I suddenly felt small and helpless – the tiny wish I had to spend time with kids seemed remote. They did not refuse however they voiced repeatedly that they had a tight schedule. OK I got the message. I just experienced being let down, not invited, unwanted and surplus. Why was I doing all this in the first place?

I spoke to another orphanage expecting them to be different. This time I deliberately ignored the gift part and just stated that I wanted to visit them. The founder was busy and suggested we meet his wife. Although he was pretty much polite and warm over phone compared to the other gentleman I spoke to, I was a little apprehensive and still had that lingering feeling of a cold response.

My friend who was supposed to join me was the co founder of an NGO that runs a program where they encourage people to celebrate their birthdays with orphans. I was not at all aware of the program but as my birthday was just few days away, she was all excited about the perfect timing.

We spoke to the founder Mr. Thomas for an hour or so – the history of 37 years old Familia. This really was not a conventional home, it was based on commune building with foster parents. A man with so much devotion, commitment and zeal, who proudly showed his children’s photographs, happily married and some of them who contribute to this mission that continued his legacy for close to four decades uninterrupted. For most part I remained a silent observer, which I usually am, with a nod here and a smile there.

It is only and only when I saw the whole place, through the eyes of Mamuni, an inmate there, walked through the acres - things began to change. The pride in her voice, the sense of belonging she had, the warmth in her touch when she posed with us for photographs, the way she coaxed us to enter one of the homes to meet the kids who were rehearsing a Tollywood number for the evening program, that twinkle in her eye when she told about her ambition to be a nurse because it was father’s dream (The Founder), the mention of the near by old age home where her grandmother died a couple of years back –As I heard her, the cold responses I received in the morning seemed to fade and a warm feeling return in its place.

The way she stretched her hands enthusiastically to indicate the vastness of the property in which a few buildings were homes for over 50 children, a few farms that were revenue generating models to run the homes apart from the foreign funds, a bakery in house that serves supply of bread for children and staff, plenty of trees, a few ponds full of fishes, an upcoming school, the plants and saplings her mother planted –The only thing evident during that tour was, the young girl was talking about HER HOME.

So Cash or Kind? Of course Cash when you know it is in safe hands, well utilized. It is not always about income tax benefit when you donate. It is a connect deep down. Sponsor a day’s Lunch donating five thousand or just give chocolates and pens on special ocassions, the Mamunis there with their small and big dreams will make you want to do more, as they appreciate your time and gestures so very much! You feel tall and good inside – And transformed within.


Author Profile

Anindita Basu is associated with one of the leading companies in the steel industry. She loves travelling and is aiming towards entrepreneurship in near future.