From Consumption To Contribution!

It was Khushmita’s birthday on 11.12.11. Inspired by a few of our friends Preet, Vinit and Sonal, we decided to skip the self serving consumption parties of expensive gifts, fancy food, wasteful decorations and take our celebration over to a nearby orphanage called Hope House. This orphanage takes care of 45 boys aged 5 to 15 years, and we have been volunteering there off and on for a few months now.

Our friend, Sonal stepped in to help organize a surprise party for Khush at Hope House as she has been training the kids there in dance. Another friend Lakshmi stepped up the kindness by volunteering to cook dinner for all the kids. Helping her were her two kids Antara (age 5) and Sid (age 3). The stage was set. We invited a few of our family and friends to be present at the orphanage at 5 pm so that we all could surprise Khushmita as she entered the premise. Then we all played some games together, followed by dancing amidst a lot of joy and laughter. The kids surprised us with their moves, their zest and love for life. After an hour, as we all sat down to eat dinner, Antara announced that she would like to serve first and then eat later. Inspired by her act, our friends kids Faisal (age 11) and Farha (age too got up from the dinner and starting serving. Over the next half hour, it was a treat to see this gang of kids running around, trying to be of service everywhere possible. The energy in the room was so positive and all around were smiles. Antara and team made the kids eat more than their usual diet with their persistent “please take a little more!” As we packed up and were ready to leave, it was amazing to see how öur”kids were bonding with the Hope House kids. They knew most of their names, and were busy running around as if they were in their own home.

How do kids drop their inhibitions and make every space their playground? I invite everyone to consider the possibility of celebrating their events in spaces like orphanages, old age homes, spaces for the physically challenged.. The amount of love and blessings that we receive from these souls is very heartwarming and life affirming!