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Series Code: HIM
Program Code: HIM000036A
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00:02 The Asian Age School
00:04 for speech and hearing in Kollegal, India 00:06 is very special for Asian Aid. 00:08 Here, these special needs children 00:11 are given opportunities, 00:12 opportunities to learn, acquire skills 00:15 and are given a chance to transform their lives. 00:18 In this episode of "Hope In Motion" 00:21 we see how Asian Aid sponsors are helping this special school 00:25 transform the lives of disabled children 00:27 like Lakshmi and Sita Raju. 00:29 I wish the sponsors could be here. 00:31 I wish the sponsors could really see 00:34 beyond the difference they are making. 00:36 Without the sponsors 00:38 this simply wouldn't happen. 00:39 It's bigger than their education. 00:41 It's bigger than the child at the desk. 00:43 It's giving these kids a delight in life 00:46 and that's what I see when I come here. 00:50 We meet Jacob and his wife Shiny 00:52 and see how working with these children 00:54 has been a life-changing experience for them. 00:57 I myself was Asian Aid child, sponsored child 01:01 and Asian Aid gave me love and gave me hope. 01:06 If it is for Asian Aid, I would have not been here. 01:11 It's because of the Asian Aid help 01:13 I'm here as a teacher for this special children here. 01:18 And we travel with Carl Ginger 01:20 as he discovers firsthand 01:22 how Asian Aid is spreading hope and light 01:24 to these disabled children and the community at large. 01:40 Asian Aid is an organization giving hope, 01:43 an organization fostering permanent positive change 01:46 in the lives of disadvantaged children 01:48 and their communities, 01:50 an organization that is committed 01:52 to making a difference in the lives of children 01:54 and those who are in need. 01:56 Serving communities in Nepal, Bangladesh, 01:59 Sri Lanka, Myanmar and India. 02:10 For the last 40 years, 02:11 Asian Aid has invested in the futures of people 02:14 and their investment has proven infinite returns 02:19 driven by their dedication to helping those 02:21 who have the least. 02:23 Asian Aid is an organization 02:25 focused on the welfare of children, 02:27 implementing diverse development projects 02:30 and sponsoring thousands of children. 02:32 Their outreach spans from child rescue operations 02:36 to providing an education for orphans, 02:38 deaf and the blind children. 02:41 Giving them a sense of place, ahome 02:44 but above all 02:45 Asian Aid is an organization giving hope, 02:48 giving hope to children, 02:50 giving hope to communities, 02:52 giving hope to the ones who needed the most. 02:56 This is "Hope In Motion." 03:19 Carl Ginger's involvement with Asian Aid 03:21 as one of its board members 03:23 has taken him to India many times. 03:25 The vibrancy of life in India 03:27 is something that has captivated him 03:29 and it's a place to experience and appreciate life. 03:32 For Carl, this was one such opportunity. 03:36 He is traveling with Jim Rennie, 03:37 CEO of Asian Aid USA 03:40 and his fellow board member and friend 03:42 Dittu Abraham 03:43 to the Asian Aid school for speech and hearing 03:45 in Kollegal. 03:53 As they drive down into the campus, 03:55 the children appear from nowhere to greet them. 03:57 Their smiling faces and their warm welcome 03:59 was rewarding for the visitors. 04:01 The children were well groomed and ready for church. 04:11 I'm here at a church service with these children 04:15 and getting their responses 04:18 to the questions we ask about Jesus Christ. 04:21 The energy they have, the commitment they have, 04:24 the pleasure in being part of a church service 04:27 it truly is amazing. 04:28 This is something we can give these kids 04:31 that they would never have. 04:32 Never have had the opportunity of knowing Jesus Christ 04:35 and we are going to see results for eternity. 04:41 For Carl, attending church service 04:43 with these children with hearing disability 04:45 was an opportunity to grow and expand his understanding 04:48 of the differences between people 04:50 the gift of communication 04:52 and the privilege of being human. 04:55 Being created in the image of God 04:56 binds us as one, 04:58 multiplies our understanding of being human 05:01 and the many gifts we have. 05:02 These children were demonstrating that gift 05:05 on this beautiful Sabbath day. 05:07 This school has a far wider impact 05:10 for the church in this country. 05:13 Asian Aid is very excited 05:15 to partner with the church at the school. 05:17 And so when we see the children 05:19 singing songs and learning about Jesus 05:22 it not only has an impact on their life 05:24 but it has an impact 05:26 on the community that they return to, 05:28 it has an impact on where they go, 05:31 but also the community see the work the school that is-- 05:34 that this school is doing 05:36 and it really lifts the presence of the church 05:40 in a very unique way. 05:45 The church service was an amazing experience 05:48 that changed some of Carl's unconscious preconceptions. 05:53 These disabled children 05:54 clearly demonstrated their ability to praise God 05:57 or be it in their own way 05:58 but it also demonstrated the role we play 06:00 as an institution and a church 06:02 in reaching out to this community. 06:05 When I look at this place I'm convinced 06:07 that this is exactly what God wants us 06:09 to be doing as a church that working with the children 06:12 who otherwise in society would be rejected 06:15 and cast aside 06:17 and not provided the means to an education. 06:19 I think this is what the church should be doing 06:22 as part of its gospel outreach. 06:24 This is a testimony to the love of Jesus Christ 06:27 for the most rejected 06:29 for the most... 06:31 ignored part of society and these children are just 06:35 the type of people we should be serving. 06:38 Children like this are often seen as a liability 06:42 by the family and by the community. 06:45 This school changes that. 06:47 This school gives them hope. 06:49 This school gives them an education 06:51 which in most cases enables them to have a job 06:54 and to have a future. 06:56 And then many of these children 06:58 assist in funding or supporting their family-- 07:03 their family or village. 07:05 This school makes a difference 07:07 far beyond the child that attends here. 07:12 This type of disability 07:13 where children are born deaf is quite common in this area 07:16 and Carl was determined to know the reason behind it. 07:20 He was disturbed to learn some social practices 07:22 that is prevalent here 07:23 that results in children being born deaf. 07:26 One of the reasons he discovered 07:28 is that people in villages around here 07:29 marry within close relations. 07:32 Here in this village it's a custom 07:36 that they marry within the relation 07:39 you know, to say 07:41 sometimes when they are small itself 07:42 they say okay, 07:44 this child should marry that uncle's son 07:45 or that child should marry this. 07:47 So it's more of relation here. 07:49 It's a custom and tradition 07:50 that they're following for many years. 07:53 But when they get a disabled child 07:56 they bring them here 07:57 and we cannot change the community, 08:00 we cannot go there and tell them 08:01 because it's their tradition 08:02 that they are following for many years 08:04 but when the children come here 08:07 we give them a lending hand to help them 08:09 so the children get good education 08:12 and the children here 08:13 are all aware of the relation marriage 08:15 and the problems that comes along with that. 08:20 However unconventional and disturbing it may seem 08:23 we cannot change society's customs 08:26 and traditions nor change their ways of living. 08:28 Traditions are deep-rooted 08:29 but what we can do 08:31 is to sow the seed of opportunities for people 08:32 affected by society's actions especially the children. 08:40 Carl was introducedto Sita Raju 08:42 a cheerful boy whose teaching him 08:44 how to sign his name. 08:45 He was born deaf. 08:50 Sita Raju's mother passed away when he was still a child 08:53 and soon after her death his father remarried. 08:56 His new wife didn't take kindly to Sita Raju 08:59 and despised his very presence at home. 09:02 Him being deaf only made matters worse 09:04 but his father loved him 09:06 and wanted the best for his disabled son. 09:08 With the help of a local schoolteacher 09:10 Sita Raju was brought to the Asian Aid School 09:12 for speech and hearing. 09:14 So when the children come here 09:16 we as a team here 09:18 we encourage the child to be independent 09:21 and we give them a second chance. 09:24 We try to tell the children 09:26 that just because you're disabled 09:28 it doesn't mean they are lower than the normal. 09:31 They are very smart 09:33 that they can move forward in their life. 09:35 So that's what we're training them. 09:37 We're giving them the second chance. 09:39 They may not-- you know as 09:42 we may not say that they can become a doctor 09:44 or they can be an engineer 09:46 but they can become someone great in future 09:50 like we have a girl who is expected in electronics. 09:55 The child, if she would have been at home, 09:57 should have been taking care of house activities, 10:01 maybe married, had kids, washing the vessels, 10:04 taking care of the child, that's it. 10:06 But because she was here 10:09 now she is an expert in electronics. 10:11 She is working in a company 10:13 where they all appreciate her work. 10:15 So it's a same hope we are giving the children here 10:18 a second chance in their life 10:20 and they say this is their second home. 10:25 I like the slogan of Asian Aid, 10:26 "Give Hope Today" 10:29 and for the past 40 years Asian Aid has been involved 10:32 with the giving a hope 10:35 and a great education for the less fortunate ones. 10:38 And I think Asian Aid's work with the deaf 10:40 and with the blind in these last 40 years 10:43 has been a blessing and a meaningful one, 10:46 giving hope and giving future and life 10:50 for the less fortunate ones. 10:52 If it was not for these schools 10:53 I'm sure these deaf children would be back in their homes 10:56 working along with the parents and maybe even being abused. 11:02 The school for speech and hearing 11:03 is what Asian Aid is all about, 11:05 helping children in need and giving them an opportunity 11:08 to look beyond their disabilities. 11:11 Rejected by their family and society 11:13 they would have lost all hope 11:14 but this school has given them hope. 11:17 It has given them a future 11:19 and for boys likes Sita Raju 11:20 it has given them a place they can call home. 11:24 This is also having an impact on their family, 11:26 their immediate family can now be proud, 11:29 proud that their child can achieve something 11:31 and have a job. 11:32 The school is making a difference 11:34 far beyond the education 11:35 the child receives at the school. 11:38 When we say reaching out to the least of these 11:41 this is what we mean. 11:43 This school and what happens here 11:46 is reaching out to the least of these 11:48 who would have been rejected by their society, 11:51 their family and have no hope. 11:53 This school has made a difference 11:56 and so they've gone from being the least of these 11:58 to being something to having a career 12:01 and then actually impacting 12:03 on their village or with their family. 12:07 This Asian Aid school 12:08 for speech and hearing in Kollegal 12:10 is standing as a testimony for Christ 12:12 and what He represented why He was on this earth. 12:16 When we come back 12:17 we meet with Jacob and Shiny 12:19 and see how they are being used 12:20 as an instrument in God's service 12:22 and meet Lakshmi and her family 12:24 and witness how Asian Aid is helping them 12:26 overcome their difficulties. 12:30 Lakshmi's mother 12:32 was also got married at a very young age 12:35 and that's the same thing that she did with her... 12:38 elder daughter 12:39 and we are hoping that the same thing 12:41 doesn't happen to Lakshmi. 12:43 That she will be able to finish her studies, 12:45 her college and then get into a good job 12:47 and then look for getting married to someone. 12:50 We hope that that will happen. 13:04 My wife Angela and I are here in Andhra Pradesh, India 13:07 visiting some of the Asian Aid projects 13:09 to see for ourselves 13:11 how the work that is being done here 13:12 is transforming lives, 13:14 especially lives of orphaned children 13:17 and abandoned children, 13:18 children from the tribal communities. 13:21 And we've discovered that because of sponsors like you 13:23 they now have a place that they can call home, 13:26 they have wonderful clothing, 13:27 nutritious food and they are being prepared 13:30 to propel themselves into the future 13:32 for a promising career. 13:34 But above all that 13:36 because of sponsors like you 13:37 they now have hope, hope for a better future. 13:55 Well, I am here in Sunrise Home with Sheela. 13:58 Now my family and I have been sponsoring Sheela 14:00 for just about a year now 14:02 and I can tell you, being here and spending time with her 14:05 I can see the difference 14:06 that sponsorship is making in her life. 14:08 She now has plenty of food, 14:10 she has a beautiful place to sleep each night, 14:12 she has clothes, she has a school uniform 14:15 and an excellent education. 14:17 I can tell you 14:18 it's made a difference in her life 14:20 and it's made a difference in our lives too. 14:22 Now through sponsorship 14:24 you too can make a difference 14:25 in the life of a child every day. 15:03 That morning, 15:05 Carl drove back to the Asian Aid School 15:06 for speech and hearing and found the children 15:09 spread out on the verandas doing their homework. 15:11 Later he learned they were actually studying 15:14 for their final exams the next day. 15:16 This was critical in his understanding 15:18 of Asian Aid's work here for the deaf. 15:20 Asian Aid has not just giving them 15:22 three meals a day or given them shelter 15:24 but it is giving them an opportunity 15:26 to prepare for the world outside. 15:30 Asian Aid has provided the support here 15:34 to these children 15:36 and I think there's a lot of lessons 15:37 that people can learn from what is happening here. 15:40 There must be so many places around the world 15:42 where children need an education 15:45 and the governments don't have the funds 15:47 but the people can come together and support 15:50 the work that we do. 15:51 It's not just the regular kids of society 15:53 who should be getting an education. 15:54 I think it is even those who are marginalized 15:57 or ignored or set aside or just... 16:01 where children cannot get into a school 16:03 because they can't hear, they can't speak. 16:05 But this is where I see them 16:07 finding an outlet 16:09 for their talents, their emotions and their skills 16:13 and even though you don't hear what they're saying 16:16 they hear you loud and clear 16:18 from your face, from your gestures 16:20 and that is turning their lives around. 16:25 The education that this school provides here 16:27 through qualified teachers, skilled teachers, 16:29 teachers who know exactly how to impact their lives 16:32 through sign language and other methods 16:34 helps them to contribute to society 16:36 just like any one of us can 16:37 and not be a liability 16:39 or burden to their parents and society. 16:42 This education is crucial for them 16:43 to go out into society, get a job 16:46 and to be able to impact other children just like them. 16:50 Teaching to a group of children 16:51 with hearing disabilities is not easy. 16:53 Even though all of these children 16:55 are so eager to learn and grasp everything 16:57 that is being taught to them 16:58 it takes an extra effort from the part of teachers 17:01 and those who care for them. 17:05 Jacob Bhaggen is the principal of the school. 17:08 He along with his wife Shiny 17:10 look after these children like they are their own. 17:14 When I joined to work here in the year 2008 17:17 I came to work here as a chaplain 17:19 and I enjoy doing that even now 17:23 taking the weekend services, 17:25 sitting with the children 17:26 in their morning and evening worship, 17:28 singing along with them 17:29 and listening to them tell stories 17:31 and sometimes involving myself in telling them some stories 17:35 has been a great experience 17:38 not only for the children but for me 17:40 equally, spiritual growth for me as well. 17:43 After being here for past 10 years 17:46 it's not difficult for me to be here 17:51 simply because every day you wake up 17:54 you know that 17:56 there are so many kids 17:58 who are ready to give you love. 18:00 And this children love very, very genuine. 18:04 I don't know where will I find this love. 18:08 You cannot get 70, 80 children love at one time 18:13 and this is a wonderful place to really work. 18:17 Of course we get, 18:19 we may face problem from the outside source 18:22 but the children love just make you stand firm. 18:27 And every day you wake up, 18:29 you wake up with the energy, 18:31 you go to them 18:32 and you feel you need to teach them more 18:34 and they give you more love. 18:36 That's what you need and you get it from them. 18:40 Shiny has a special attachment to these children 18:43 and the children are very found of her. 18:45 Shiny was an Asian Aid sponsored child. 18:48 I myself was Asian Aid child, 18:51 a sponsored child 18:52 and Asian Aid gave me love and gave me hope. 18:57 If it is not for Asian Aid 18:59 I would have not been here. 19:01 It's because of the Asian Aid help 19:04 I'm here as a teacher for this special children here. 19:09 Shiny owes her success 19:10 to becoming a special educator to Asian Aid 19:13 and she hopes that it will continue to help 19:14 many more children to be successful 19:17 and continue to spread hope, 19:18 especially for children with disabilities 19:20 who are victims of neglect and abandonment. 19:31 Lakshmi is a 12-year-old girl at the school. 19:34 Like Sita Raju she was born deaf 19:36 and has been at the school 19:37 when she was just a two-year-old baby 19:39 and her mother was having a hard time bringing her up 19:41 along with her older sister and brother 19:43 who was also deaf. 19:46 Lakshmi is right now doing her forth standard here 19:51 and we're hoping that she will... 19:52 finish her studies from our school. 19:54 We want to do college just like her brother 19:57 and be able to earn a living. 19:59 Now the reason why Lakshmi's mother 20:01 and father were separated 20:02 is because of some family issues 20:05 and they have been separated for more than 10 years now. 20:09 The father lives with his mother 20:12 in another state 20:13 and the mother 20:15 brought up all these three children 20:17 by working in a factory that makes noodles. 20:21 And because he's not able to 20:22 give them a good education 20:24 she has put both her 20:26 hard of hearing children well in our school. 20:30 Lakshmi's mother married when she was just 16. 20:33 Although such practice exists in rural India 20:36 since ancient times 20:37 it would be hard for someone to assimilate this mentality, 20:40 especially for a first time visitor to rural India. 20:44 Lakshmi's mother 20:46 was also got married at a very young age 20:50 and that's the same thing that she did with her... 20:53 elder daughter 20:54 and we are hoping that the same thing 20:55 doesn't happen to Lakshmi. 20:58 That she will be able to finish her studies, 20:59 her college and then get into a good job 21:01 and then look for getting married to someone. 21:04 We hope that that will happen. 21:07 One can only hope that Lakshmi will have the opportunity 21:10 to break the shackles of their long observed traditions 21:12 and compulsions and hope that education will let her 21:15 have the freedom to choose how she wants to live. 21:28 Lakshmi's family lived in a nearby village 21:30 and Carl was anxious to meet them. 21:33 Upon arriving at her village 21:34 it was clear that Lakshmi's family 21:36 loved her very much and she loved her family. 21:39 The home was certainly minimalistic, 21:41 the hospitality was evident. 21:43 Seeing how contend they are with what they have 21:45 is such a blessing and a valuable lesson 21:47 to all addicted to consumerism. 21:52 Carl got to talk to Kalavathi, Lakshmi's mother 21:55 through the help of Rajkumar who was translating for them. 22:03 Okay. 22:04 And her wish is 22:06 her two children got educated in this Asian Aid, 22:08 through Asian Aid, 22:09 sponsored through Asian Aid 22:11 and there are many children in the villages 22:12 she also want them to get educated same thing, 22:16 she want more sponsors to come forward 22:17 so that many children can get-- come to the light. 22:22 Although the pain of life struggle 22:23 was deep within her 22:25 one could sense how happy she was 22:26 knowing that her daughter Lakshmi 22:28 was well taken care of 22:29 and she was thankful for what we could do 22:31 as an organization. 22:33 Rajkumar, we just been talking to Lakshmi's mother 22:37 and there must be lots of other children 22:39 in these villages who have disabilities. 22:44 What would be the situation if there was no help? 22:49 If there is no outside help, 22:52 for example like Asian Aid, 22:54 the other NGOs in India 22:56 families like this will suffer very much. 23:02 And the pathetic situation is 23:03 if there are no NGOs coming forward 23:06 to help them like these kids 23:08 the society will be dropping them to one corner. 23:13 They will not come out and they can't get exposure. 23:17 If people, the society from outside 23:22 comes and helps people in these, 23:24 like these small villages, remote villages 23:27 children like Lakshmi will come up much brighter. 23:31 Their future, they can read it 23:33 otherwise, their future will be in debris. 23:39 You know, this is an example of what can happen 23:43 if someone like Asian Aid gets involved 23:46 and sponsors get involved in a child's life. 23:49 They can transform the person, 23:52 give them a future, 23:53 create opportunities for them to be themselves, 23:57 be what God intended them to be. 23:59 What a privileged to create and generate and multiply hope. 24:16 For someone like Lakshmi 24:18 having a loving family is a blessing 24:20 because their mother wanted the best for her 24:22 she was willing to leave her in schools boarding environment 24:25 just so she could give her the education 24:27 she otherwise would be unable to provide. 24:30 Most of these children 24:31 understand their difficulties at home 24:33 and understand the opportunities 24:34 they've been given by their sponsors 24:36 and are ever thankful for the part 24:38 they are playing in their lives. 24:41 I'm sure that this children 24:44 are very thankful to their sponsors 24:46 and the sponsor should know this 24:48 that everyday the children pray for them. 24:51 There is not a day that goes 24:53 without the child praying for their sponsors 24:56 and they are very thankful to the sponsors 24:59 and they know the importance of sponsorship. 25:02 It's because of that sponsorship that they are here 25:05 and they are having new friends, 25:09 a new life given to them. 25:13 For when I come to the school, 25:16 it's just touching. 25:18 I wish the sponsors could be here. 25:20 I wish the sponsors could really see 25:23 beyond the difference they are making. 25:25 The kids are so happy. 25:26 The kids want to touch you, 25:28 they want to communicate with you 25:30 and without the sponsors this simply wouldn't happen. 25:34 It's bigger than their education. 25:35 It's bigger than the child at the desk. 25:38 It's giving these kids a delight in life 25:40 and that's what I see when I come here. 25:44 When Jesus was on the earth 25:46 He invited the poor, the blind, the lane, 25:49 and the deaf into the temple and had fellowship with them. 25:52 Jesus mentioned that when we do service 25:54 to the least of these, 25:56 we are doing service to Him 25:58 and He commissioned us to take care of the ones 26:00 who are less fortunate than us. 26:02 What a blessing it is for us to be in His service. 26:06 Many times I question myself asking, 26:09 "am I doing the preaching work here 26:13 or am I doing some kind of service?" 26:15 But then I want Jesus told 26:17 the true religion is to take care of the orphans, 26:21 the widows, and the less fortunate ones. 26:24 And then by seeing the lives of these children transforming 26:28 it gives me hope and courage, 26:30 yes, what we are doing here 26:32 is any day the best thing that we must be doing. 26:35 It's important that the church has these services going on. 26:43 Today, this Asian Aid School for speech and hearing 26:46 is a beacon for Christ in this area. 26:49 With this school in Kollegal, 26:51 Asian Aid is not only bringing hope to the children 26:54 but also to the community 26:55 as it sees practical Christianity in action. 26:58 The church could not have scripted a better outcome, 27:01 just being there and demonstrating love 27:03 on a consistent basis reflects the image of God. 27:08 These children are preparing for their final exams tomorrow 27:12 and it's clear 27:14 that these children 27:16 are being prepared not just to survive 27:18 but for a future tomorrow and a future for eternity 27:22 and for Asian Aid to be involved 27:25 and creating these opportunities 27:27 really warms my heart. 27:29 It's helping me see 27:31 what it is really to be human 27:33 and I'm so glad to be part of that. |
Revised 2015-09-03