“I was only 20 when I got married. After just 4 years of marriage, my husband married another woman. So, I left home with my year old daughter. In those days, leaving your husband was a very bold step. I had no job or any other support system. It was a very difficult period of life. To make things worse, when she was just 3 years old, my daughter died because of a common illness. That really shook me and left me all by myself. Since then I have lived alone. I am 60 now.
I feel, it was my personal grief and difficulties which made me realise that there are many unfortunate souls in the world. I started reaching out to them. We take so many things for granted… such as clean clothes, clean water, warm food and shelter. But there are many unfortunate children who are deprived of even basic necessities. For the last 25 years, I have been volunteering for a few orphanages. People want to help, but they don’t have time in their busy lives. Their priorities are different. So, I become the catalyst. I collect clothes, utensils, grocery and also money to support these orphan kids. Many a times, people forget. I have to keep reminding them. I have to be really patient. My friends and neighbours help me put things in order, but most of it I do it single handedly. Which includes, traveling to remote parts of the state. But when I see happiness and excitement on those children’s faces I feel all the efforts are worth it. I don’t feel lonely anymore. Now, this is my life.”
