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Greetings!
Mother Teresa once said "We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread, but there are many more dying for a little love." And it is that little love that makes the world go round. Read on about Oasis India's transitional care homes that pour out love and kindness to people in despair, affording them the courage to hope and the daring to dream for the future. |
| Love: lost & found |
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 Rising above
From a young age, Rekha was sexually abused by her step brothers, her uncle and her cousin. Unable to cope anymore, she ran away from home. She arrived at a busy railway station in Mumbai, not knowing anyone and having no possessions. All alone, she was abducted and repeatedly raped. She was rescued a few days later by a partner NGO who offered her medical assistance and care and later referred her on to Nirmal Bhavan, Oasis India's transitional care residential facility for women rescued from situations of sexual exploitation.
Tina suffered physical torment at home and was forced to marry when she was aged 12. Poverty drove her family to sell her into prostitution where she was exploited for 5 years. When she finally managed to leave, she discovered she was pregnant. While in the brothel, Tina had met with Oasis' social workers from the Aruna project who work in the red light area. Tina decided to live at Nirmal Bhavan to recover from her trauma and make decisions for her future.
Both Rekha and Tina had struggled to receive the acceptance and love they longed for from their families and after years of abuse, they had learned to trust no one. At Nirmal Bhavan, the staff invest much effort in understanding the women's emotional and physical struggles and help them get past their pain and suffering and plan creatively for productive futures. The love and care these women receive gives them the confidence and the courage to rise above their circumstances and live for the future.
Rekha tested positive for HIV, but despite that she engaged herself in the education and training courses, studying English, Mathematics and computer skills. She is also responding well to ARV treatment for HIV. She hopes to get a job in a store as a sales-girl. Tina is also learning English and computer skills and hopes to get a good job to support herself and her child. |
| Family love |
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 Ties that bind
Vilas spent a week with a family in Mumbai during his summer break from school. He attended a wedding party, went on a picnic at the beach and also went to the movies. He enjoyed being with the family and loved playing with the family dog, Rex. This was a part of the god-parenting week facilitated by Purnata Bhavan, Oasis India's residential care home for children and women infected and/or affected by HIV AIDS. The children are sent to homes of staff and supporters to spend a week with them. They make new friends, experience new things and also give the staff at Purnata Bhavan a break and allow for repair and maintenance work to be carried out on the premises.
Eshwari and Laxmi had three words for their experience - "excellent, fantastic and wonderful!". They visited a water-park and also got a taste of Italian cuisine. Guddu had piano lessons while Ram, the oldest boy at Purnata Bhavan made friends with the boys of the family he was staying with and had a great time with them playing football and other sports.
Purnata Bhavan, meaning 'house of wholeness' strives to provide a loving atmosphere to the women and children who live there offering whole person care in an extended family environment. Many of the children have been abandoned or orphaned by HIV AIDS, and the women have been rescued from situations of sexual abuse and destitution. As part of the programme, the children are sent to the local schools and the women are put through the adult literacy course alongside training in tailoring, embroidery, candle making and housekeeping. Health care, counseling and whole person care is given to all the residents. The women are helped get jobs in the city and live independently. A foster care plan is underway to rehabilitate children into good families away from institutional care. |
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There are many more like Rekha, Tina and the children at Purnata Bhavan long for kindness and love and the chance to go beyond what they have been conditioned to believe about themselves.
Click here to find how you can be involved to help us make a difference.
Sincerely,
Communications Team
Oasis India |
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