A Report from Amrita Niketanam (Amma's Orphanage)

December 2002

About 50 children came to spend the Christmas holidays with Amma. She likes them to come for darshan everyday and often asks them about their lives, reassuring any children who are feeling sad. This year, after some of the girls had danced for Amma during the cultural program, Amma saw that one little girl was crying. Amma took the child on her lap. The girl was sobbing, "I have no mother, Amma! No one is there for me." Amma playfully tied her own sari to the girl's dress and said, "Now you have someone. See I am always there for you".

Years ago, Amma had reassured another girl called Lakshmi in a similar manner. Lakshmi had watched her mother commit suicide in front of a train, and had been brought to the orphanage in its early years by foster parents. Lakshmi said that from then on she felt that Amma took care of everything for her. After leaving school Lakshmi continues at the orphanage, assisting the care givers and then went to help at Amma's hospice. In her own words, "Amma is bringing me up without lack of anything. I grew up begging, now Amma, is providing me with all my food and clothing." Recently Lakshmi was blessed with a much longed for beautiful wedding. It was arranged by Amma; She herself took Lakshmi, her daughter and beautiful bride, into the temple for the marriage. It was one of the most touching events.

During their Christmas visit the children were allowed to go to the seashore to relax in the evening sun and play on the rocks. The children say it is very special event for them to come to Amritapuri. One girl expressed the feelings for all her sisters: "We are happy seeing Amma every day. We love her very much." The children are very much at home at the ashram, and like to join in the activities. The girls often join the older ladies in the kitchen to hear their songs and sing with them while they chop vegetables.

Brahmachari Vijayamrita, the orphanage director, commented: "This year the Math has built an extension over the kitchen where the girls can practice dance and music. There is also a new medical treatment room. Behind the school we have constructed a playground that provides much needed extra space. After school activities continue with classical dance, classical music, panchavadhyam (temple music), tabla (drumming) and computers. The lessons are all free and guided by experts. One group of girls is studying panchavadhyam. Amma is very keen that they do this. Actually it is unheard of elsewhere for girls to play panchavadhyam. Only boys normally study this traditional music. This year both boys and girls played at Amma's birthday celebration.

The children still win first prizes in many competitions, group song, patriotic song, panchavadhyam and light music. The students that finish schooling either go for higher education or work in Amma's institutions. One very special accolade came to 18-year-old Nanjan, who, on completing the upper school, won acceptance into the University's school of Engineering. "He came to us eight years ago from a very poor village in the adivasi (tribal) community of Attapadi. He is our first adivasi boy to go to the university" said Br. Vijayamrita.

Erna Kerremens, from Belgium, has been involved with seva (or selfless service) for 15 years but has never visited India until this December. Recently she visited the orphanage, keen to experience first-hand what she had only seen before in photos and reports. She said:

"From the very first moment, I felt warmly received by the children. They were very disciplined, but in a sweet way. Some of the girls came into my room. We started talking, and spontaneously the children started doing my hair with their own combs! Usually I worry about cleanliness but here I was not afraid at all because they were so sweet.

Then one of the boys came in with a huge stamp collection. He wanted me to write the names of the famous people on the stamps. I had brought more with me to give to the children and when I gave them to him, all the other boys joined in the pleasure of seeing his collection grow They were not jealous at all. I felt immediately part of them. It made me want to stay longer. I saw how the older ones took care of the younger ones. Its their duty, but they like to do it. I was very touched. Mother's love is there; you really feel it. With the brahmacharinis caring for the children, giving them so much love, I feel their love alone will change the children's lives, and probably that of their children."