In this episode
of Hope in Motion
00:00:13.43\00:00:15.84
we go to Bobbili, India
where blind children find solace
00:00:15.87\00:00:19.34
in the Asian Aid
School for the Blind.
00:00:19.37\00:00:21.42
As the new children walk inside,
00:00:21.45\00:00:23.64
this really is a small heaven
00:00:23.67\00:00:25.80
where they feel that
they are safe and secure.
00:00:25.83\00:00:28.63
We meet a local
washer man family
00:00:28.66\00:00:30.99
whose poor socioeconomic
life was compounded
00:00:31.02\00:00:34.35
when their third
child was born blind.
00:00:34.38\00:00:38.02
When he goes into the street
other children made fun of him.
00:00:38.05\00:00:41.94
He is blind, God made
him that way, what can we do.
00:00:41.97\00:00:45.36
And find out how sponsorship
is helping the Asian Aid School
00:00:45.39\00:00:48.61
for the Blind prepare
children for eternity.
00:00:48.64\00:00:51.61
The faith of a blind
child cannot be explained,
00:00:51.64\00:00:57.42
you need to come and feel it.
00:00:57.45\00:01:00.49
Asian Aid is an
organization giving hope,
00:01:13.20\00:01:16.43
an organization fostering
permanent positive change
00:01:16.46\00:01:19.38
in the lives of disadvantage
children and their communities.
00:01:19.41\00:01:22.95
An organization
that is committed
00:01:22.98\00:01:24.98
to making a difference
in the lives of children
00:01:25.01\00:01:27.41
and those who are in need.
00:01:27.44\00:01:29.12
Serving communities
in Nepal, Bangladesh,
00:01:29.15\00:01:32.17
Sri Lanka, Myanmar and India.
00:01:32.20\00:01:35.67
For the last 40 years Asian Aid
00:01:42.84\00:01:45.38
has invested in
the futures of people
00:01:45.41\00:01:47.57
and their investment
has proven infinite returns.
00:01:47.60\00:01:51.78
Driven by their dedication
00:01:51.81\00:01:53.31
to helping those
who have the least.
00:01:53.34\00:01:55.87
Asian Aid is an organization
00:01:55.90\00:01:57.76
focused on the
welfare of children,
00:01:57.79\00:02:00.20
implementing
diverse development projects
00:02:00.23\00:02:02.91
and sponsoring
thousands of children.
00:02:02.94\00:02:05.67
Their outreach spans
from child rescue operations
00:02:05.70\00:02:08.90
to providing an
education for orphans,
00:02:08.93\00:02:11.49
deaf and the blind children.
00:02:11.52\00:02:14.11
Giving them a
sense of place, a home
00:02:14.14\00:02:16.97
but above all Asian Aid is
an organization giving hope,
00:02:17.00\00:02:21.44
giving hope to children,
giving hope to communities,
00:02:21.47\00:02:25.05
giving hope to the
ones who needed the most.
00:02:25.08\00:02:28.75
This is Hope in Motion.
00:02:28.78\00:02:32.95
Situated amidst the
lush green paddy fields
00:02:57.53\00:03:00.02
of Bobbili, in
Andhra Pradesh, India
00:03:00.05\00:03:02.44
is an
institution that is home to
00:03:02.47\00:03:04.16
some of the most disadvantaged
children in society.
00:03:04.19\00:03:06.61
This is the Asian
Aid School for the Blind.
00:03:06.64\00:03:11.06
In a world where
blindness is considered a curse
00:03:11.09\00:03:13.95
and blind
children are abandoned,
00:03:13.98\00:03:15.86
this campus is a refuge
00:03:15.89\00:03:17.37
for children
seeking care and comfort.
00:03:17.40\00:03:21.46
The Asian Aid
School for the Blind
00:03:21.49\00:03:23.21
was established here
mainly by the efforts
00:03:23.24\00:03:25.16
of Asian Aid
co-founder Helen Eager.
00:03:25.19\00:03:28.04
The Asian Aid School for the
Blind is very important to me
00:03:28.07\00:03:31.10
because actually I did find that
00:03:31.13\00:03:35.03
we were supporting a few
blind children up in Jharkhand
00:03:35.06\00:03:39.08
and they were being
supported by someone in the US
00:03:39.11\00:03:41.92
and I thought, oh,
this is so wonderful,
00:03:41.95\00:03:43.49
I'm so glad our church is
doing something for the blind.
00:03:43.52\00:03:46.53
And then I went
home to Australia
00:03:46.56\00:03:48.50
and then I got a letter
just few weeks later saying
00:03:48.53\00:03:52.98
this person in US
is no longer supporting
00:03:53.01\00:03:55.09
these children so
we sent them all home.
00:03:55.12\00:03:56.86
So that was basically
the start of a blind program.
00:03:56.89\00:04:01.93
I said, well,
bring them all back
00:04:01.96\00:04:03.26
and we supported
them there in Jharkhand
00:04:03.29\00:04:05.45
and then we
started the blind school
00:04:05.48\00:04:08.99
actually in Andhra Pradesh.
00:04:09.02\00:04:10.93
It is quite natural
everyone wants to help children
00:04:10.96\00:04:16.65
and people who are
normal but to find someone
00:04:16.68\00:04:20.44
who has got a lot of
interest in the children
00:04:20.47\00:04:23.12
who are visually impaired,
it is very rare to find.
00:04:23.15\00:04:27.04
And that is a time I
think God has correctly selected
00:04:27.07\00:04:30.78
Mrs. Helen Eager to be a part
00:04:30.81\00:04:33.67
of this great
big project in India.
00:04:33.70\00:04:37.66
Started with just a few
children at its new location
00:04:37.69\00:04:40.19
in Bobbili the number
of children at the school
00:04:40.22\00:04:42.52
steadily
increased each passing year.
00:04:42.55\00:04:45.35
All things bright and beautiful
00:04:45.38\00:04:49.73
The Lord God made them all
00:04:49.76\00:04:54.12
We discovered that there
are various circumstances
00:04:54.15\00:04:56.47
that have contributed to these
children losing their sight.
00:04:56.50\00:04:59.33
Some of them are
victims of accidents,
00:04:59.36\00:05:01.51
some due to vitamin deficiency
00:05:01.54\00:05:03.08
factored by lack
of nutritious food,
00:05:03.11\00:05:05.13
but most of them are born blind.
00:05:05.16\00:05:07.32
We found that the main
reason children are born blind
00:05:07.35\00:05:10.23
in these parts of Andhra Pradesh
00:05:10.26\00:05:12.02
is due to socioeconomic practice
00:05:12.05\00:05:14.49
that is
prevalent in this cultures.
00:05:14.52\00:05:16.45
We have found that with
the children that we support
00:05:16.48\00:05:19.97
in the blind school
that nearly all of them,
00:05:20.00\00:05:22.48
the parents are blood relatives.
00:05:22.51\00:05:24.43
Now the reason they do this
is basically poverty as well.
00:05:24.46\00:05:28.13
Because if there is, you
know, a small piece of land
00:05:28.16\00:05:31.59
they don't want
that piece of land
00:05:31.62\00:05:33.71
to leave the
family kind of thing.
00:05:33.74\00:05:36.35
And so they will often--
00:05:36.38\00:05:38.94
it's often uncles
marrying their nieces.
00:05:38.97\00:05:41.92
And of course if your
daughter marries a relative
00:05:41.95\00:05:47.05
then you don't
have to pay a dowry.
00:05:47.08\00:05:49.16
The relatives are
very much concerned
00:05:49.19\00:05:52.29
about the ancestor
property that comes.
00:05:52.32\00:05:55.62
So they want to
have the marriage
00:05:55.65\00:05:57.51
right within the
family close relations
00:05:57.54\00:06:00.46
and this is one of
the possible reasons
00:06:00.49\00:06:03.47
that makes a child
go blind or born blind
00:06:03.50\00:06:07.29
or somewhere in the
later part of his life.
00:06:07.32\00:06:12.17
While rural traditions
and socioeconomic difficulties
00:06:12.20\00:06:15.12
dictate life in rural India,
their children pay the price.
00:06:15.15\00:06:19.84
Cultural issues
are hard to understand,
00:06:19.87\00:06:22.10
it may even seem
bizarre and cruel at times,
00:06:22.13\00:06:24.87
it's difficult to
change people's perceptions
00:06:24.90\00:06:26.88
that are rooted deep.
00:06:26.91\00:06:28.46
But for all its
traditions and practices,
00:06:28.49\00:06:30.89
the fact remains that all
parents love their children
00:06:30.92\00:06:33.89
and want the best for them.
00:06:33.92\00:06:35.79
It's very difficult
for you as a caring parent
00:06:35.82\00:06:39.23
to find a way of giving
your child a better life.
00:06:39.26\00:06:43.52
So not only are we making
a difference for the child,
00:06:43.55\00:06:48.66
we are actually
giving the parents some hope,
00:06:48.69\00:06:52.64
they all care for their child.
00:06:52.67\00:06:54.94
And they overcome with
guilt and community pressure
00:06:54.97\00:07:00.81
because their child is blind.
00:07:00.84\00:07:02.99
So it helps
overcome all these issues
00:07:03.02\00:07:06.86
in giving the child a chance,
but giving the parents hope
00:07:06.89\00:07:12.27
that they simply have
no other way of getting.
00:07:12.30\00:07:15.95
Blind children from many
backgrounds are at the school,
00:07:15.98\00:07:18.93
although there are
students from other states,
00:07:18.96\00:07:21.47
the majority of them are
from and around Bobbili area.
00:07:21.50\00:07:27.90
Jagan is a ninth
grade student at the school.
00:07:27.93\00:07:30.45
He comes from a small village,
00:07:30.48\00:07:32.05
about an hour's
drive from the school.
00:07:32.08\00:07:34.32
We have Jagan whose
family background is
00:07:34.35\00:07:38.62
that the parents are
washer men and they wash clothes
00:07:38.65\00:07:42.62
and they survive and
earn their livelihood.
00:07:42.65\00:07:46.02
But this child the moment
he has come here to our campus,
00:07:46.05\00:07:50.59
he has been
getting his education
00:07:50.62\00:07:52.52
and all that family history
00:07:52.55\00:07:56.22
that has been coming
all that will disappear.
00:07:56.25\00:07:59.13
He will not be the same anymore.
00:07:59.16\00:08:01.13
Jagan's parents are
dhobis, a washer men community.
00:08:13.15\00:08:16.95
In a class divided world
00:08:16.98\00:08:18.85
they are at the bottom
of the social structure
00:08:18.88\00:08:21.03
and are pushed to
the edge of the village.
00:08:21.06\00:08:27.08
When my first son
was born I was happy.
00:08:27.11\00:08:30.70
My second son was
born and I was very happy.
00:08:30.73\00:08:34.35
But when my third child was born
00:08:34.38\00:08:36.84
my wife and I
became very depressed.
00:08:36.87\00:08:41.74
As if living at the edge of
the village wasn't bad enough,
00:08:41.77\00:08:44.53
their hardship was compounded
00:08:44.56\00:08:46.15
when their third
child Jagan was born blind.
00:08:46.18\00:08:51.11
I am a dhobi, I go to
the pond in the morning
00:08:51.14\00:08:54.34
and come back in the evening.
00:08:54.37\00:08:56.26
He was left alone at home.
00:08:56.29\00:08:58.26
When he goes into the street
other children made fun of him.
00:08:58.29\00:09:02.01
This is how he
spent his childhood here.
00:09:02.04\00:09:04.60
He is blind, God made
him that way, what can we do.
00:09:04.63\00:09:08.27
In rural villages where
being handicapped is considered
00:09:08.30\00:09:11.08
a curse, blind children
facing uncertain future.
00:09:11.11\00:09:14.99
This is where Asian Aid
School for the Blind in Bobbili
00:09:15.02\00:09:18.24
serves as a refuge
for children born blind.
00:09:18.27\00:09:21.27
These children
have very special needs.
00:09:21.30\00:09:25.31
Their needs are even
greater than people who have--
00:09:25.34\00:09:28.79
who do not have
sight in a western system,
00:09:28.82\00:09:31.05
in a first world country.
00:09:31.08\00:09:32.81
Because they are ostracized,
their families are ostracized.
00:09:32.84\00:09:36.03
So creating this environment
00:09:36.06\00:09:37.68
their focus is on them
gives them an education
00:09:37.71\00:09:41.67
and gives them an opportunity
to live a normal life.
00:09:41.70\00:09:44.81
It's so transformational
00:09:44.84\00:09:46.23
not just now for the
child but the parents,
00:09:46.26\00:09:48.88
because now they
don't have the same stigma.
00:09:48.91\00:09:51.12
Their children can get on
and live a productive life
00:09:51.15\00:09:54.48
and contribute to
society, a huge difference.
00:09:54.51\00:09:59.76
This environment that
gave them an opportunity
00:09:59.79\00:10:01.85
to live a normal life
is indeed transformational.
00:10:01.88\00:10:05.28
With the help of a
local school teacher,
00:10:05.31\00:10:07.68
Jagan was brought to the
school for the blind in Bobbili
00:10:07.71\00:10:11.02
far away from the struggles of
his parents and his community.
00:10:11.05\00:10:14.67
And this community that we find
they are the lowest of the low
00:10:14.70\00:10:20.49
and Jagan I think the
education that he receives
00:10:20.52\00:10:24.26
releases him from
this kind of family bondage
00:10:24.29\00:10:30.74
and makes him to
survive on this earth
00:10:30.77\00:10:32.81
as a prestigious
person thinking that
00:10:32.84\00:10:37.37
I'm now something worth
and feel proud of himself.
00:10:37.40\00:10:42.45
I'm so happy he is
studying there at the school.
00:10:42.48\00:10:45.13
When he gets a good education
he will get a good job.
00:10:45.16\00:10:48.18
I'm really happy about that.
00:10:48.21\00:10:49.92
Now he can become whatever
he wishes to be in life.
00:10:49.95\00:10:53.94
The appreciation from
these parents sometimes
00:10:53.97\00:10:58.39
is just overpowering
because they are so proud
00:10:58.42\00:11:02.12
that their child
can go to the school
00:11:02.15\00:11:04.79
and they are so proud that
when their child comes home,
00:11:04.82\00:11:08.05
they can see a
dramatic difference.
00:11:08.08\00:11:10.33
Okay, read that first adding.
00:11:10.36\00:11:12.92
First adding, sir.
Twenty four thousand.
00:11:12.95\00:11:16.11
Twenty four thousand.
00:11:16.14\00:11:17.25
Asian Aid sponsors every child
00:11:17.28\00:11:18.88
living and
studying at the school.
00:11:18.91\00:11:20.59
Without sponsorship
these children would not have
00:11:20.62\00:11:23.15
the opportunity
for new chance in life.
00:11:23.18\00:11:25.69
I really thank the Asian
Aid sponsors, the donors.
00:11:25.72\00:11:31.04
If it may not--
if the sponsorship
00:11:31.07\00:11:33.89
is not there my
life will be not there.
00:11:33.92\00:11:40.60
Today Asian Aid is supporting
00:11:40.63\00:11:42.64
nearly a 180 blind
children at the school
00:11:42.67\00:11:45.01
and their sponsorship is
the key link in driving force
00:11:45.04\00:11:48.11
that helps them
overcome their disabilities
00:11:48.14\00:11:50.17
and gives them hope and
a chance for a better life.
00:11:50.20\00:11:54.12
The Asian Aid School
for the Blind in Bobbili
00:11:54.15\00:11:56.54
is an important
institution for the mission
00:11:56.57\00:11:58.67
of the Seventh-day
Adventist church in India.
00:11:58.70\00:12:01.36
When we come back, we
look at how the school's
00:12:01.39\00:12:03.41
is not only preparing these
children for a world outside
00:12:03.44\00:12:06.35
but also
preparing them for eternity.
00:12:06.38\00:12:09.84
The faith of a blind
child cannot be explained,
00:12:09.87\00:12:15.27
you need to come and feel it.
00:12:15.30\00:12:18.96
My wife Angela and I are
here in Andhra Pradesh, India,
00:12:32.61\00:12:36.06
visiting some of the Asian Aid
projects to see for ourselves
00:12:36.09\00:12:39.50
how the work that is being
done here is transforming lives
00:12:39.53\00:12:43.01
especially lives of orphaned
children and abandoned children
00:12:43.04\00:12:47.09
children from the
tribal communities.
00:12:47.12\00:12:49.66
And we've discovered that
because of sponsors like you,
00:12:49.69\00:12:52.10
they now have a place
that they can call home.
00:12:52.13\00:12:54.63
They have wonderful
clothing, nutritious food
00:12:54.66\00:12:57.02
and they are being
prepared to propel themselves
00:12:57.05\00:13:00.49
into the future
for a promising career.
00:13:00.52\00:13:03.14
But above all that
because of sponsors like you
00:13:03.17\00:13:06.22
they now have hope,
hope for a better future.
00:13:06.25\00:13:10.52
Well, I am here in
Sunrise Home with Sheela.
00:13:23.66\00:13:26.48
Now my family and I
have been sponsoring Sheela
00:13:26.51\00:13:28.95
for just about a year now
00:13:28.98\00:13:30.52
and I can tell you being
here and spending time with her,
00:13:30.55\00:13:33.48
I can see the difference
00:13:33.51\00:13:34.80
that sponsorship
is making in her life.
00:13:34.83\00:13:37.18
She now has plenty of
food, she has a beautiful place
00:13:37.21\00:13:40.03
to sleep each
night, she has clothes,
00:13:40.06\00:13:42.27
she has a school uniform
and an excellent education.
00:13:42.30\00:13:45.88
I can tell you it's
made a difference in her life
00:13:45.91\00:13:48.75
and it's made a
difference in our lives too.
00:13:48.78\00:13:51.34
Now through
sponsorship you too can make
00:13:51.37\00:13:53.92
a difference in the
life of a child everyday.
00:13:53.95\00:13:58.05
Today is a special day
for the staff and students
00:14:20.73\00:14:22.95
of Asian Aid School for
the Blind in Bobbili, India.
00:14:22.98\00:14:25.92
Standing on both
sides of the entrance,
00:14:25.95\00:14:27.83
the students and staff welcome
00:14:27.86\00:14:29.21
the arrival of a
special guest Garwin McNeilus.
00:14:29.24\00:14:34.00
Garwin in an Adventist
businessman from Minnesota
00:14:34.03\00:14:36.99
who has sponsored
hundreds of children in India.
00:14:37.02\00:14:39.91
He and his family has supported
and built a number of urgently
00:14:39.94\00:14:42.84
needed buildings
for Adventist schools
00:14:42.87\00:14:44.75
including the school
for the blind at Bobbili.
00:14:44.78\00:14:48.29
The needs of the blind school
00:14:48.32\00:14:49.87
were first brought
to me by Helen Eager.
00:14:49.90\00:14:53.03
And Helen showed a
video of where they were,
00:14:53.06\00:14:56.46
the conditions they
were and how they had to take
00:14:56.49\00:14:59.27
their sleeping mattresses
out, lay them outside,
00:14:59.30\00:15:05.61
sometimes it's raining, put
the desk in have their class
00:15:05.64\00:15:09.81
and it made an impression
00:15:09.84\00:15:12.79
that just wouldn't
go away on my heart.
00:15:12.82\00:15:16.73
Moved by the
plight of the children
00:15:16.76\00:15:18.55
in an old crowed
building in town,
00:15:18.58\00:15:20.61
Garwin drew out
a plan to move them
00:15:20.64\00:15:22.51
to a bigger campus
just outside Bobbili town.
00:15:22.54\00:15:25.44
He also designed the buildings.
00:15:25.47\00:15:27.81
This is beautifully designed
00:15:27.84\00:15:30.48
for the blind
children who cannot see.
00:15:30.51\00:15:33.57
And once they get
inside they take a single walk.
00:15:33.60\00:15:37.40
They can easily understand
which side is a boy's hostel,
00:15:37.43\00:15:40.61
which side is a girl's hostel,
00:15:40.64\00:15:42.66
there is nothing to be confused.
00:15:42.69\00:15:48.65
The children now
have a beautiful campus
00:15:48.68\00:15:50.50
where they can
feel safe and secure,
00:15:50.53\00:15:52.37
their own home away from home.
00:15:52.40\00:15:56.14
The Asian Aid School
for the Blind is not just
00:15:56.17\00:15:58.19
an institution that provides
food and shelter for the blind,
00:15:58.22\00:16:01.30
but it's an
institution that prepares them
00:16:01.33\00:16:03.05
for the world outside.
00:16:03.08\00:16:04.85
And remember when
they finish year 12
00:16:04.88\00:16:06.95
for example I'm talking about
the sight impaired children,
00:16:06.98\00:16:11.02
they can go into
university and by giving them
00:16:11.05\00:16:13.94
these opportunities they can
get jobs that are already there
00:16:13.97\00:16:17.28
that government has set aside
00:16:17.31\00:16:18.72
for people with
these sort of disabilities.
00:16:18.75\00:16:21.00
So we are channeling
them, giving them the skills,
00:16:21.03\00:16:24.15
giving them the qualifications,
preparing them for employment
00:16:24.18\00:16:28.79
but also we are
giving them life skills.
00:16:28.82\00:16:34.35
Yes, sir.
00:16:34.38\00:16:35.41
These children may not
have the ability to see
00:16:35.44\00:16:38.21
but this disability
has not deprived them
00:16:38.24\00:16:40.16
of the ability to learn.
00:16:40.19\00:16:41.86
They are perfectly
capable of acquiring skills
00:16:41.89\00:16:44.10
needed for employment.
00:16:44.13\00:16:45.42
In fact, the Indian
government referred to them
00:16:45.45\00:16:47.75
not as disabled
but differently abled.
00:16:47.78\00:16:50.27
And the Asian Aid School
for the Blind provides them
00:16:50.30\00:16:52.52
an ideal place for these
differently abled children
00:16:52.55\00:16:54.83
to acquire skills.
00:16:54.86\00:16:58.93
Special needs
children need special care
00:16:58.96\00:17:01.49
and the staff and teachers
of the school deeply respect
00:17:01.52\00:17:04.15
and care for these children.
00:17:04.18\00:17:05.93
The school also has
two specialized educators
00:17:05.96\00:17:08.95
Bhaskar and Raghavendra.
00:17:08.98\00:17:11.46
My name is Raghavendra
and I've been working
00:17:11.49\00:17:14.60
in this school from
three years onwards.
00:17:14.63\00:17:16.29
By birth onwards I'm blind.
00:17:16.32\00:17:17.86
Because of
this-- because of school
00:17:17.89\00:17:20.02
like this I have
received an education
00:17:20.05\00:17:22.54
and I'm able to come here
and teach to this children.
00:17:22.57\00:17:26.67
So I'm feeling very happy
00:17:26.70\00:17:28.53
and because Asian Aid has
given this opportunity to me,
00:17:28.56\00:17:33.35
I'm really thankful to Asian Aid
00:17:33.38\00:17:36.94
for this great opportunity.
00:17:36.97\00:17:39.52
And these two
teachers since they are blind,
00:17:39.55\00:17:42.21
they can
understand the other children
00:17:42.24\00:17:44.21
who are visually handicapped.
00:17:44.24\00:17:46.01
Their feelings, their thoughts
00:17:46.04\00:17:48.75
and they have
their own innovative ways
00:17:48.78\00:17:51.17
where they can help
them and try to support them
00:17:51.20\00:17:55.70
whenever there is a
difficultly that they find.
00:17:55.73\00:17:58.08
And these two teachers
00:17:58.11\00:17:59.18
are really a
blessing to the school.
00:17:59.21\00:18:01.68
I think the most
important thing is that,
00:18:01.71\00:18:04.27
that the people who work with
these children really love them
00:18:04.30\00:18:07.68
and care about them
and try to understand,
00:18:07.71\00:18:10.43
you know, what
they are going through
00:18:10.46\00:18:11.91
and somehow try to understand
although I don't think we can,
00:18:11.94\00:18:15.55
you know, what would be
like to be in their situation.
00:18:15.58\00:18:19.40
The blind community
understands each other
00:18:24.81\00:18:26.85
and they are there
to help one and another.
00:18:26.88\00:18:28.84
This helping nature helps
anyone coming into the campus
00:18:28.87\00:18:31.98
for the first
time adjust quickly
00:18:32.01\00:18:33.64
to this new environment.
00:18:33.67\00:18:35.36
We all remember Priyansu from
one of our previous episodes.
00:18:35.39\00:18:39.35
We have one boy Priyansu
who walked into the campus
00:18:39.38\00:18:42.82
along with his parents
and the boy began to cry
00:18:42.85\00:18:46.12
and he began to think
what's happening to me?
00:18:46.15\00:18:48.12
Are my parents going
to leave me and go away?
00:18:48.15\00:18:50.68
But I can see the way he
came inside little bit disturbed
00:18:50.71\00:18:54.88
because he has to
live all alone now.
00:18:54.91\00:18:57.09
So he comes here to the campus
00:18:57.12\00:18:58.66
and then he
stays with the children
00:18:58.69\00:19:00.55
and I've been noticing him
00:19:00.58\00:19:02.27
and days have passed by he
slowly began to get adjusted.
00:19:02.30\00:19:05.68
So this is what happens
when a child walks inside
00:19:05.71\00:19:09.48
and he gets adjusted
along with his friends.
00:19:09.51\00:19:11.92
Friends are there,
other blind children
00:19:11.95\00:19:14.38
who share their
happiness and sadness.
00:19:14.41\00:19:17.47
And as the new
children walk inside
00:19:17.50\00:19:20.36
this really is a small heaven
00:19:20.39\00:19:22.50
where they feel that
they are safe and secure.
00:19:22.53\00:19:25.58
Priyansu has been at the
blind school for two years now
00:19:41.72\00:19:44.71
and is surrounded by
friends who give him comfort
00:19:44.74\00:19:46.92
and support and has well
adjusted to his new home.
00:19:46.95\00:19:51.28
While we were chatting with
Pastor Paulson at the school,
00:19:57.21\00:19:59.89
he revealed to us
some thing momentous.
00:19:59.92\00:20:02.94
This Asian Aid High
School for the Blind
00:20:02.97\00:20:06.12
has started in the
year 2004 in March 21st
00:20:06.15\00:20:10.83
and this year it so happened
that it is a tenth year.
00:20:10.86\00:20:14.98
Ten glorious years
have passed by successfully.
00:20:15.01\00:20:20.61
And it so
happened, Garwin McNeilus
00:20:20.64\00:20:22.75
was visiting the
school after 10 years.
00:20:22.78\00:20:25.75
How do you feel
coming back 10 years later?
00:20:25.78\00:20:28.34
We discover that
it's a tenth anniversary.
00:20:28.37\00:20:30.60
Yes. And you have come back.
00:20:30.63\00:20:32.16
How do you feel
about what you see?
00:20:32.19\00:20:34.11
Ten years goes fast but I lived
00:20:34.14\00:20:38.08
the blind school
daily in my mind.
00:20:38.11\00:20:41.16
The campus is beautiful,
00:20:41.19\00:20:43.39
the area where there were
no trees, trees are grown.
00:20:43.42\00:20:47.85
Fruit is being produced,
the children are having gardens
00:20:47.88\00:20:52.41
and I see happy
children, I see a campus
00:20:52.44\00:20:58.91
that's united in
love for the children.
00:20:58.94\00:21:05.05
It's gratifying but I know
that this all is impossible
00:21:05.08\00:21:10.40
without individual sponsors.
00:21:10.43\00:21:12.70
Correct.
00:21:12.73\00:21:14.50
Without individual sponsorship
00:21:14.53\00:21:16.46
these children
would not be here.
00:21:16.49\00:21:18.80
Today because of Asian
Aid sponsorship program
00:21:18.83\00:21:21.36
and individual
supporting its program,
00:21:21.39\00:21:23.54
hundreds of
differently able children
00:21:23.57\00:21:25.29
like Priyansu, Jagan
can receive an education,
00:21:25.32\00:21:29.01
an education that will help
them to lead a dignified life.
00:21:29.04\00:21:32.77
I went to all the
sponsors and donors
00:21:32.80\00:21:35.92
who have been helping us out
00:21:35.95\00:21:37.36
and the Adventist church
at large around the world.
00:21:37.39\00:21:41.93
I'm always
thankful for their support
00:21:41.96\00:21:45.09
for the children who get
their pre-education here.
00:21:45.12\00:21:48.91
Every pie that you
give has been utilized
00:21:48.94\00:21:53.24
to the maximum for the
benefit of the children
00:21:53.27\00:21:55.95
to get their education
and we are always grateful
00:21:55.98\00:21:58.95
and thankful for the
whole Adventist church
00:21:58.98\00:22:02.48
and the Asian Aid
00:22:02.51\00:22:04.19
and I'm sure that they
have a great big reward
00:22:04.22\00:22:08.21
for the small
little contribution to make
00:22:08.24\00:22:10.35
when we all get
together in heaven.
00:22:10.38\00:22:13.56
Whether one is
able to contribute
00:22:13.59\00:22:15.19
in a small way or in a big way,
00:22:15.22\00:22:17.27
sponsorship endows
these children's future.
00:22:17.30\00:22:20.63
Whether the Lord has
blessed in different ways
00:22:20.66\00:22:25.74
we are
accountable for what we have.
00:22:25.77\00:22:28.70
We all know the Bible
parable of the widow's mite,
00:22:28.73\00:22:32.75
how she gave what she could.
00:22:32.78\00:22:34.94
Some can do a child,
some can do half a child,
00:22:34.97\00:22:38.67
some can do many
child but the combination
00:22:38.70\00:22:42.99
of what the Lord has
blessed you with is essential
00:22:43.02\00:22:46.59
for the welfare of the children
00:22:46.62\00:22:49.61
and it will make a
difference till eternity.
00:22:49.64\00:22:55.20
The Asian Aid
School for the Blind
00:22:55.23\00:22:57.25
is an important institution
00:22:57.28\00:22:58.60
for the Seventh-day
Adventist church in India.
00:22:58.63\00:23:01.16
Blind children from
many non-Christian families
00:23:01.19\00:23:03.82
attend the school and
it gives us an opportunity
00:23:03.85\00:23:06.32
to reach out to
them with our good news
00:23:06.35\00:23:08.42
and share the love
of Jesus with them.
00:23:08.45\00:23:12.87
Each day begins with worship
00:23:12.90\00:23:14.71
and church
activities are lively occasion.
00:23:14.74\00:23:17.27
Every child gets to learn
00:23:17.30\00:23:18.75
and sing songs of
praise and learn how to pray.
00:23:18.78\00:23:21.94
Now they also have a
chance to read the Bible.
00:23:21.97\00:23:25.33
Well, I'm here at the
Bobbili blind school in India
00:23:25.36\00:23:28.75
which is totally
supported by Asian Aid
00:23:28.78\00:23:31.70
and it's always a challenge
for us to find resources
00:23:31.73\00:23:35.24
that can help
teach the children.
00:23:35.27\00:23:37.48
We are very
excited that the company
00:23:37.51\00:23:39.40
that makes the God Pods
has designed a recording device
00:23:39.43\00:23:43.85
that is very
small and on this device
00:23:43.88\00:23:46.88
there is a total
copy of the Bible
00:23:46.91\00:23:49.19
in both their own
language Telugu and in English
00:23:49.22\00:23:52.85
and then on top of that
00:23:52.88\00:23:54.33
there are ten plus Bible stories
00:23:54.36\00:23:57.39
both in their native
language Telugu and in English.
00:23:57.42\00:24:00.88
The other thing is that
it's totally solar powered
00:24:00.91\00:24:04.00
so they have the
ability to either plug it in
00:24:04.03\00:24:06.67
or just charge it in the sun.
00:24:06.70\00:24:09.15
What an opportunity to reach out
00:24:09.18\00:24:10.85
to these
differently able children.
00:24:10.88\00:24:13.95
Thanks to the untiring
efforts of Helen Eager,
00:24:13.98\00:24:16.61
organizations like Asian
Aid and individual sponsors
00:24:16.64\00:24:19.76
like Garwin McNeilus,
children at the blind school
00:24:19.79\00:24:22.54
not only have a place
where they can acquire
00:24:22.57\00:24:24.37
life skills for
the world outside,
00:24:24.40\00:24:26.48
but they have a place
where they can prepare
00:24:26.51\00:24:28.44
their souls for
the world to come.
00:24:28.47\00:24:31.20
I think of the blind school
00:24:31.23\00:24:34.56
if not daily
sometimes several times a day
00:24:34.59\00:24:37.43
and I think of the story
when we were taking the children
00:24:37.46\00:24:43.44
to get their eye
operation and-- Dorothy Watts
00:24:43.47\00:24:49.95
a long time friend of
India who is not with us anymore
00:24:49.98\00:24:56.21
and I were sitting on
the bench had a little girl
00:24:56.24\00:25:02.17
and the little
girl Dorothy says,
00:25:02.20\00:25:04.88
what do you want to do
00:25:04.91\00:25:06.72
if your operation is successful?
00:25:06.75\00:25:08.53
What is the first
thing that you want to see?
00:25:08.56\00:25:12.06
And she said,
well, I've held a kitty,
00:25:12.09\00:25:17.56
I petted a cow, she
says I want to see Jesus.
00:25:17.59\00:25:22.71
And Dorothy
said, well, we can see
00:25:22.74\00:25:26.35
but we can't see Him.
00:25:26.38\00:25:29.15
And she says well,
then show me a picture.
00:25:29.18\00:25:34.58
And Dorothy said
well, your operation
00:25:34.61\00:25:37.29
may not be successful.
00:25:37.32\00:25:39.90
And she said she
thought, she had a look
00:25:39.93\00:25:42.89
on her face she
says, that's okay,
00:25:42.92\00:25:45.22
I'll see him in heaven. Wow.
00:25:45.25\00:25:47.31
Here this little
girl, the first thing
00:25:47.34\00:25:49.98
she want to see if
she could see is Jesus.
00:25:50.01\00:25:53.64
And I think when we wake up
00:25:53.67\00:25:54.79
in the morning
is that our thought?
00:25:54.82\00:25:58.26
The first thing we
want to see is Jesus,
00:25:58.29\00:26:00.53
it has such an effect.
00:26:00.56\00:26:02.89
Jim, I think about it daily.
00:26:02.92\00:26:05.95
The faith of a blind
child cannot be explained,
00:26:05.98\00:26:11.42
you need to come and feel it.
00:26:11.45\00:26:14.63