Aunty sent an auto-rickshaw for supplies yesterday morning. That’s it parked in the lane in front of Shishur Sevay. I sent Bijoy to the store and we bought rice and other staples that should last about five days. 
We sent rice, Maggie Noodles, Dal, Chana Dal, eggs, powdered milk formula for babies, neutrala, a soy product, chira (flattened flaked rice) potatoes, and sattoo (powdered chhana). The cost was Rs. 3889, or USD about $80.
I’m planning to visit there tomorrow. I’m bringing someone from a home that is considering taking one of the severely disabled boys. It’s a good home, like ours, and we do this by keeping the number of children within our resources. Knowing our limitations is one of the most important components of success. Saying no is painful. So, we live with that, and once in a while we find reason to stretch a bit.
The biggest obstacle to feeding the children is an attitude by the staff that because the children are so starved, you cannot give them much food of they will vomit and have diarrhea. So, they let them be hungry. I cant’ seem to get past this with anyone! I’ve tried to de-worm them but so far it hasn’t happened. I’ve suggested frequent small meals but that hasn’t happened. I brought two dozen bananas the day we took the sickest ones to CWC, and the bananas were still in the office at night. One day I was told that the boys have an “emotional” problem over food. I said it’s called starvation.
I know it is painful reading this, as it is painful living it. There are problems with the government and problems in the home. And no one cares! The best chance those kids have now, the ones I can’t place, is in that home — if we can manage the problems. If we can’t, I still don’t know. Over the weekend I talked with friends here and heard terrible stories about other places they knew. One friend said, ‘The government doesn’t care if they live.”
Lots of thoughts in my head, and probably some of the same in your heads. Tomorrow is another day. I’m so totally swamped with work at Shishur Sevay, but I’ll go to see the children at Aunty’s. Balance in my life? Nope, and not yet time to rest.
Feb 01, 2012 @ 05:50:41
Goose bumps. You are making a difference Michelle! It is the difference one person can make.
Feb 01, 2012 @ 05:51:43
What can we do? Sponsor?
Feb 01, 2012 @ 08:06:38
It is terribly inconvenient to clean up after children who eat. I know this because I clean up after adults who eat, at both ends. And that is the worst possible excuse for not feeding them! Argh!