Volunteer Spotlight - Patrick

We were very touched to read Patrick's account of his time volunteering at Asha Home, working with the children of the Second Home Child Outreach Program. Thank you so much for volunteering your time and energy, sathi! Everyone had a blast during your visit and would love to have you back any time!

You can read about Patrick's experience below:

November 2017 Asha House I could hear the laughter four stories above the after school program hosted by the Asha House. I had to find out for myself what all the commotion was. I ventured downstairs and was immediately hit with a wall of laughter and giggles. Over 2 dozen kids from ages unable to to barely talk to young teenagers. Some boys were seeing who could do a handstand the longest to some students finishing their homework in the other room. There were kids EVERYWHERE running laughing rolling on the ground. The energy and joy was absolutely abundant.

The genuine innocence of these lil' rugrats mucking about at play melted my heart. It took me a minute to wrap my head around something confusing me. Other than the children in the room, the room was bare. No video games, no trunk of toys, no action figures or games. Just kids being kids with other kids. Make shift games were being invented or some others sitting in a circle talking away. What I did witness was that there was a sense of stability in these kids lives where for some of them, it’s possibly the only place they really felt safe. It was also possibly the only meal they may get that day.

Dinner came with the assistance of Gita And Sabina. It was often a basic meal of rice with a hard boiled egg, a piece of bread and some warmed milk. And a lucky treat if it was a special occasion.

Asha walked the room in a very matriarchal manner making sure everyone behaved but you could tell it was a ruse as she couldn’t help crack a hug grin every time a youngster would run up to her and call her auntie She looks after these kids, providing for them when no one else can. She’s given herself to this cause well beyond what could be expected of someone. This woman is a saint!

I’ve been there to witness myself the amount of hardships the country is in and the struggles of everyday life. It puts into perspective what we enjoy in life and humbled me in ways beyond words. I will continue to support this house - no, HOME continually as I can and am already planning a return visit later this year. I have witnessed first hand how effective and efficient this program is and have seen how powerful its effect is on these kids and the community; and I can attest to the fact that 100% of my contribution sees its way to its intended purpose. The Second Home Child Outreach Program is definitely a worthy and admirable cause!