| |
 |
|
 |
 |
| |
 |
| To learn more about Earn N Learn project and products
visit our website www.earnlearn.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MEET ROHAN
|
|
 |
|
One tear drop of compassion and two drops of sweat can transform the life of any human being. The story of Rohan reflects the spirit of Manav Sadhna. A gift from God, this resilient 8-year old is a continuous source of inspiration to us and a reminder of the power of love and service. When we first met Rohan, he was living on the footpath just outside the Gandhi Ashram with his elder sister, her husband and their son, Ajay. His family would beg during the day, leaving Rohan on his own. He seemed oblivious to the world as he sat motionless, often without clothing, never reacting to any of our efforts to connect with him. His face was shrouded with a deep void and an absence of hope unfair for any child to burden. One day, one of our volunteers passed Rohan as he was banging an empty cup on the concrete sidewalk. The volunteer brought him a vessel full of water, which Rohan guzzled eagerly.
The volunteer was moved to tears as water quenched this child’s thirst and quickly brought Rohan and Ajay to the Manav Sadhna centre to bathe and feed them. We were heartbroken to learn that Rohan was deaf, mute and blind. That was the beginning of a transformational experience for both Rohan and Manav Sadhna.
|
To foster an improvement in Rohan’s condition, we worked with his family, but they too were fending for their own daily survival. Rohan soon developed a serious infection, which spread quickly with the encouragement of the rains and poor hygiene. We admitted him in the hospital, where he was operated on and under observation for two weeks. At this point, his family abandoned him.
Inspired with compassion, the collective force of Manav Sadhna decided to adopt Rohan. Manav Sadhna’s karyakartas assumed different responsibilities to nurture Rohan into the healthy and loving child he is today. We looked into options to treat his glaucoma and the cataract that had caused his blindness. The doctors could not guarantee any improvement, but we thought it was worth the chance.
Karyakartas have taken turns welcoming Rohan into their homes, families and hearts. During his recovery, Rohan lived with an elderly widow who lives in the slum community where we work. She showered an abundance of love and care on Rohan, guiding his full recovery. He gave her the chance to be a mother. After a few months, Rohan lived with a family of five. Through the bond of this family, Rohan grew into an active child. When he parted from their home, the father cried and could not eat a morsel for days. Afterwards Rohan moved into an extended family of 20 people, all living under one roof. He has made this family his own. Today he attends a residential blind school in Gandhinagar where he is learning self-reliance and basic life skills.
Despite his physical challenges, Rohan expresses himself clearly, engages with everyone fearlessly and is even learning how to ride a bike. Despite his blindness, Rohan sees the world through his heart. For us, he is a miracle who spreads joy wherever he goes. The fruit of collective effort, Rohan is an example of what is possible when we love all and serve all. |
| |
|
|
|
|