Children in the Sonrisa Orphanage in Nepal have all found a
loving home and shelter under the care of Bishnu Rai and the Sonrisa didis and
bhais. While the orphanage has
been the welcome recipient of generous donations from many friends in Nepal and
abroad, Bishnu wants the children to understand the importance of giving to
others less fortunate then themselves.
It was to this end that all 15 children arrived at the Social Welfare
Centre Briddhashram, an Elders Hostel adjacent to Pashpatinath, the Hindu
Cremation Site.
For older Nepali’s without family support, this is where
they spend their last years, supported by the charity of others. While we were there a supply of curd
and Biten Rice was delivered as a donation by Indian businessmen.
The hostel was arranged as a single story of rooms that
framed an inner courtyard, the centre of which was a stone platform graced by a
centuries old Hindu shrine.
Residents of the hostel were clustered around the stone stairs of the
shrine or in corners of the courtyard under whatever shade the trees had to
offer.
Many of the didis’ were absorbed with the task of spinning
bits of cotton into wicks that would be lit for morning pujas. Old wrinkled hands crafting each wick with
the efficiency that can only come with a lifetime of practice.
Most of the people we saw could get around on their own
steam or with wooden canes. The reality was that many of these men and women
were only 10 years older then me but the harshness of their existence led to
deep lines in their faces and stiffness in their bodies, some bent at the waist
from a lifetime of carrying heavy loads.
The Sonrisa children arranged themselves and their
instruments (violins, drums, flutes) in front of the assembled gathering of
elders.
The music started and
almost immediately the crowd was rapt with attention. Bodies started swaying and hands clapping.
Music has incredible power to evoke
memories of earlier days when bodies were limber and graceful. Soon the didis and dais were dancing
with abandon, ignoring the piercing mid-day heat.
In those fleeting moments you could see their younger
flirtatious spirits. With
age comes a release from inhibitions and permission to express unbridled
joy.
There is so much
to be learned from our elders.
Those kids are amazing and Bishnu — well there really are no words for him. What a touching post.
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