India: A gift unwrapped

Ribinbella at the Sadhana School

People are gifts wrapped. The wrapping needs careful unwrapping because both the wrapper and the gift are needed to blend the harmony of life.

I had fear when I arrived in our Sacred Heart SPJ Sadhana School.

The question within was how is it going to be? My colour, short hair and language accent. I was like a person standing on the shore without knowing the depth of the sea. When I started working with the children I realized the depth of their love towards my presence in their midst.

I felt my job was not to figure out the how. I understood the how will unfold itself through my commitment and belief that in what my desires and yearnings are for the mentally challenged persons.

I have total conviction that any thinking person can be helped to change in this functional world. Therefore no child is incapable.

It is not easy to deal with the mentally challenged persons when you have no rapport with them. No wonder it is a road less traveled. They need love, which is sensitivity to the reality around them.

All in all I feel I can help a mentally challenged person when I accept them as they are. We all need to feel we are loved for what we are. This brings about courage to grow and improve. There is no need to push a child all we need is to help him/her to grow in his/her own way and at their rates. This calls for patience, humility and total commitment. I feel when you tap each ones potential according to their rates, you begin to see their uniqueness And acceptance of themselves and you as a their teacher. These children have let me accept the being rather than the doing.