For the love of my kids ..
My Toy Story
I started supporting an NGO for Slum kid’s education, from 2018
And ever since I celebrate my mother’s and my birthday with my kids
November 2019, these kids offered hand-made gifts to me, which mean the world to me
That day, I noticed this little girl, RS
Her smile and twinkling eyes, I could never forget
Ever since the pandemic and lockdown, I was unable to meet the kids
And would have sleepless nights thinking about their safety
Somehow, this little girl was always on mind
I enquired about her from one of the members who manages this place
He mentioned,
She’s a sweet talented kid but comes from an abusive household, has 2 more sisters etc etc….( not sharing any further of her story)
Now, knowing her background, I wanted to help her even more
So this March 2021, I finally decided to step out of my house and meet the kids
And I never go there empty handed :)
So, I had my bags packed
And like a Toy Story,
That day I decided to give away my last Barbie doll, of the 9 that I possessed
My grandmother would taunt me that I would have 9 girls, when I grow up And I would say, “That’s fine but I will not share my dolls with them”
This little girl, RS, reminded me of — — ME
To the extent, one day I had a feeling
If would have had a daughter, she would probably look like her
I had never even removed that doll from box and it was one of the things I loved the most
But that day, you should’ve seen that kiddo’s face, it was priceless
She shared more of her story with me
And told me something, I will possibly never forget
“Didi, kisko farak nahi padta
Koi kuch nhi karta
To kyun bataun, kya bataun?”
“Didi, No one cares
No one does anything
So, why should I say, what should I say?”
A 12-year old giving me lessons and knowing the sad truths of life,
I broke down
I cried and asked if I could hug her
No kid is meant to go through the hell, that most have to go through
I’m no Mother Teresa
Nor a rich man
But these kids are my oxygen
And I can probably never do enough for them
However, the lessons I learn from my kids are priceless
The content, the peace, the happiness, I get with them; is nothing compared to anything on this planet
Sometimes, I’m not sure, if I do any charity for them
OR these kids maybe do more for me
