On 31 October, our congregation celebrated the 199th birthday of our blessed foundress Mother Maria Theresia Scherer. The first thing we did after the arrival of Superior General Sr. Marie-Marthe Schönenberger was to visit the house chapel, which was festively decorated for the occasion. Later in the afternoon, a small tree was planted in the garden to commemorate this birthday. Let’s hope that it will grow into a strong tree in a few years’ time.
This year, the Indian festival of lights, Diwali, fell on 31 October. The houses and public buildings are decorated with colourful lights and there is a festive atmosphere everywhere. The Children’s Home also shone in the splendour of many lights. In the evening, the sisters, together with the staff and children, decorated the garden with a multitude of small oil lights. The climax was reached when the children were allowed to set off the various fireworks, with one or two children seeking shelter behind the adults. Throughout the night, fireworks were set off all over the neighbourhood, leaving some of the residents struggling to sleep.
The Dheerpur Children’s Home provides a temporary home for abandoned and lost children and children from poor families. It currently cares for 33 children aged between 1 month and 6 years. In co-operation with the police and the Indian authorities responsible for child protection, a good solution is sought for each child. Lost children are returned to their relatives and, if possible, adoptive parents are found for abandoned children or they are placed in appropriate state institutions when they start compulsory schooling.
The 5 sisters are supported by 22 co-workers. The home is open round the clock throughout the year. This means that the police may sometimes bring a child in at night.
The house is located just outside Delhi and has a lovely garden with a children’s playground. In the late afternoon, as soon as the sun is no longer so hot, the children romp around outside. As long as the children live at Dheerpur Children’s Home, they can attend the in-house kindergarten. The children were also happy about the visit from Switzerland because of the chocolate. They ate it with relish, some of their faces and hands bearing witness to the delicious treat. The work of the sisters is greatly appreciated by the people in the neighbourhood and by the Indian authorities. And it is important to the sisters that a suitable solution and, whenever possible, a good home can be found for every child.
