Participants:
Series Code: HIM
Program Code: HIM000045A
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00:02 The Asian Aid School
00:03 for Speech and Hearing in Kollegal, 00:05 India is very special for Asian Aid. 00:08 Here, 00:10 these special needs children 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 Asia Aid sponsors are helping this special school 00:25 transform the lives of disables children 00:27 like Lakshmi and Seetaraju. 00:29 I wish the sponsors could be here, 00:31 I wish the sponsors could really see 00:34 beyond the difference they're making. 00:36 Without the sponsors, 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, a sponsored child. 01:01 And Asian Aid gave me laugh and gave me hope. 01:06 If it is not 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 01:15 for these special children here. 01:18 And we travel with Carl Ginger as he discovers firsthand 01:21 how Asian Aid is spreading hope and light 01:24 to these disables children and a 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, serving communities in Nepal, 01:58 Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and India. 02:10 For the last 40 years, 02:12 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 focused 02:25 on the welfare of children, 02:27 implementing diverse development projects, 02:30 and sponsoring thousands of children. 02:32 Their outreach expands from child rescue operations 02:36 to providing an education for orphans, deaf, 02:39 and the blind children, 02:41 giving them a sense of place, a home, 02:44 but above all, Asian Aid is an organization giving hope, 02:48 giving hope to children, 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 that's a place to experience 03:30 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 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 03:56 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 toward the questions 04:19 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 04:30 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 04:47 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, 04:57 binds us as one, 04:58 multiplies our understanding of being human 05:01 and the many gifts we have. 05:03 These children were demonstrating 05:04 that gift 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 to partner 05:15 with the church of the school, 05:17 and so when we see the children singing songs 05:20 and learning about Jesus, 05:22 it not only has an impact on their life, 05:24 but it has as an impact on the community 05:27 that they return to, 05:28 and has an impact on where they go 05:30 but also the community see 05:33 the work 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 05:49 some of Carl's unconscious preconceptions. 05:52 These disabled children 05:54 clearly demonstrated their ability to praise God, 05:57 albeit in their own way 05:58 but it also demonstrated the role 06:00 we play as an institution and a church 06:02 in reaching out to this community. 06:05 When I look at this place, 06:06 I'm convinced that this is exactly 06:08 what God wants us to be doing as a church 06:11 that working with the children 06:12 who otherwise in society would be rejected, 06:15 and caste aside, 06:17 and not provided the means to an education. 06:19 I think this is what the church would be doing 06:22 as part of this gospel outreach. 06:24 This is a testimony to the love of Jesus Christ, 06:27 or the most rejected, 06:29 or the most ignored part of society. 06:33 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, this school gives them hope, 06:49 this school gives them an education 06:51 which, in most cases, 06:52 enables them to have a job and to have a future. 06:56 And then many of these children 06:58 assist in funding or supporting 07:01 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, 07:40 you know, to say sometimes when they are small itself, 07:42 they say, "Okay, this child should marry 07:44 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 we are 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, 07:59 we cannot go there and tell them 08:01 because it's their tradition 08:02 that they're following for many years. 08:04 But when the children come here, 08:07 we give them a lending hand to help them 08:10 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 08:24 society's customs and traditions 08:26 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 08:32 for people affected by society's actions, 08:34 especially the children. 08:36 How many... sisters, sisters? 08:39 How many sisters? 08:40 Carl was introduced to Seetaraju, a cheerful boy 08:43 who is teaching him how to sign his name. 08:45 He was born deaf. 08:50 Seetaraju'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 Seetaraju 08:59 and despised his very presence at home. 09:01 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 local school teacher, 09:10 Seetaraju was brought to the Asian Aid School 09:12 for Speech and Hearing. 09:14 So when the children come here, 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 that, 09:27 just because they are disabled, 09:28 it doesn't mean they are lower than the normal, 09:31 they are very smart 09:32 that they can move forward in their life. 09:35 So that's what we are training them. 09:37 We are 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 expert in electronics. 09:55 That child, if she would have been at home, 09:57 she would have been 09:59 taking care of house activities, 10:01 maybe marriage, 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's working in a company 10:13 where they all appreciate her work. 10:15 So it's a same hope 10:17 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, "Give hope today." 10:29 And for the past 40 years, 10:30 Asian Aid has been involved 10:32 with giving a hope and a great education 10:36 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 a future and a 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. 11:15 But this school has given them hope. 11:17 It is given them a future. 11:19 And for boys like Seetaraju, 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 This school is making a difference 11:33 far beyond the education 11:35 the child receives at the school. 11:38 When we say, 11:39 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 had no hope, 11:53 this school has made a difference, 11:56 and so they've gone from being 11:57 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 for Speech and Hearing 12:09 in Kollegal 12:10 is standing as a testimony for Christ 12:12 in what He represented while 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're 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. 12:29 Lakshmi's mother was also got married 12:34 at a very young age 12:35 and that's the same thing that she did 12:37 with her elder daughter. 12:39 And we are hoping that that same thing 12:41 doesn't happen to Lakshmi 12:43 that she would 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're hoping that that'll happen to her. 12:59 One of the huge problems 13:00 that is existing in the world today 13:02 is that of human trafficking. 13:05 Of course, it is a global thing 13:07 but because I have worked a lot in India and Nepal, 13:10 I know that it is huge in these countries. 13:13 And why these children are treated 13:15 is just unbelievable and what they suffer, 13:19 you just could not believe. 13:21 And so with your help, 13:23 and we're so excited 13:25 that Asian Aid has now got the project 13:28 called Operation Child Rescue, 13:30 we can make a difference 13:32 and do something for these children 13:34 before this happens to them, and for some of them, 13:37 they can be rescued from this situation. 13:40 If you would like to become involved, 13:42 we would just be so very, very grateful. 13:59 A few years ago, 14:00 I had the privilege of visiting India 14:03 to see how the Asian Aid projects 14:04 are making a difference in that country, 14:07 how lives are being transformed, 14:09 lives of abandoned children, 14:11 tribal children, orphan children, 14:14 children that are being raised 14:15 without the advantages we have here in America. 14:18 And sometimes we take for granted. 14:19 And I discovered one very important thing, 14:22 because of sponsors like you, 14:24 these lives are being transformed, 14:25 the future is made brighter 14:28 because of your prayers and your financial support. 14:31 Because of what you do, they now have nutritious food, 14:34 clothing, and they are able now to propel themselves 14:37 with education to look to the future 14:40 with hope and courage. 14:42 And so on behalf of Asian Aid, 14:43 I want to thank you for all you do, 14:45 your sponsorship. 14:47 And now because of you, 14:48 they have hope, hope for brighter future. 15:26 That morning, Carl drove back to the Asian Aid School 15:30 for Speech and Hearing 15:31 and found the children 15:32 spread out on the verandas doing their homework. 15:35 Later, he learnt they were actually studying 15:37 for their final exams the next day. 15:39 This was critical in his understanding 15:41 of Asian Aid's work here for the deaf. 15:43 Asian Aid has not just given them three meals a day 15:46 or given them shelter, 15:48 but it is giving them an opportunity 15:49 to prepare for the world outside. 15:53 Asian Aid has provided 15:55 the support here to these children, 15:59 and I think there's a lot of lessons 16:00 that people can learn from what is happening here. 16:03 There must be so many places around the world 16:05 where children need an education, 16:09 and the governments don't have the funds 16:11 but the people can come together 16:12 and support the work that we do. 16:14 It's not just the regular kids in society 16:16 who should be getting an education. 16:18 I think it is even those 16:19 who are marginalized, or ignored, or set aside, 16:22 or just where children cannot get into a school 16:26 because they can't hear, they can't speak. 16:28 But this is where I see them finding an outlet 16:32 for their talents, 16:34 their emotions and their skills. 16:36 And even though you don't hear what they're saying, 16:39 they hear you loud and clear from your face, 16:42 from your gestures, 16:43 and that is turning their lives around. 16:47 The education that this school provides here 16:50 through qualified teachers, skilled teachers, teachers 16:53 who know exactly how to impact their lives 16:55 through sign language 16:56 and other methods helps them to contribute to society 16:59 just like any one of us can, 17:01 and not be a liability or burden 17:02 to their parents and society. 17:05 This education is crucial for them 17:06 to go out into society, get a job, 17:09 and be able to impact other children 17:10 just like them. 17:13 Teaching to a group of children 17:14 with hearing disabilities is not easy. 17:16 Even though all of these children 17:18 are so eager to learn 17:19 and grasp everything that is being taught to them. 17:21 It takes an extra effort from the part of teachers 17:24 and those who care for them. 17:28 Jacob Bhaggien is the principal of the school. 17:31 He, along with his wife Shiny, 17:33 look after these children like they're their own. 17:37 When I joined work here in the year 2008, 17:40 I came to work here as a chaplain 17:42 and I enjoy doing that even now 17:46 taking the weekend services, sitting with the children 17:50 in their morning and evening worship, 17:51 singing along with them, and listening to them, 17:54 tell stories and sometimes involving myself 17:56 in telling them some stories. 17:58 It's been a great experience not only for the children 18:02 but for me equally, 18:03 a spiritual growth for me as well. 18:06 After being here for past 10 years, 18:09 it's not difficult for me to be here. 18:14 Simply because everyday, you wake up, 18:17 you know that there are so many kids 18:21 who are ready to give you love. 18:24 And these children's love are very, very genuine. 18:27 I don't know where will I find this love, 18:31 you cannot get 70, 80 children love at one time, 18:36 and this is a wonderful place to really work. 18:41 Of course, we may face problem from the outside source, 18:45 but the children love just make you stand firm. 18:50 And everyday you wake up, you wake up with the energy, 18:54 you go to them, 18:55 and you feel you need to teach them more, 18:57 and they give you more love. 18:59 That's what you need, and you get it from them. 19:03 Shiny has a special attachment to these children, 19:06 and the children are very fond of her. 19:08 Shiny was an Asian Aid sponsored child. 19:11 I myself was Asian Aid child, a sponsored child. 19:15 And Asian Aid gave me laugh and gave me hope. 19:21 If it is not for Asian Aid, I would have not been here. 19:25 It's because of the Asian Aid help, 19:28 I'm here as a teacher 19:29 for these special children here. 19:32 Shiny owes her success to becoming a special educator 19:35 to Asian Aid, 19:36 and she hopes that it will continue to help 19:38 many more children to be successful 19:40 and continue to spread hope 19:41 especially for children with disabilities 19:44 who are victims of neglect and abandonment. 19:54 Lakshmi is a 12-year-old girl at the school. 19:57 Like Seetaraju, 19:58 she was born deaf and has been at the school 20:00 when she was just a two-year-old baby. 20:02 And her mother was having a hard time 20:04 bringing her up 20:05 along with her older sister and brother 20:06 who was also deaf. 20:10 Lakshmi is right now doing fourth standard here, 20:14 and we are hoping 20:15 that she will finish her studies 20:16 from our school, 20:18 go on to do college just like her brother, 20:20 and be able to earn a living. 20:22 Now the reason why Lakshmi's mother and father 20:25 were separated is because of some family issues, 20:28 and they've been separated for more than 10 years now. 20:32 The father lives with his mother 20:35 in another state, 20:36 and the mother brought up all these three children 20:40 by working in a factory that makes noodles. 20:44 And because she's not able to give them a good education, 20:47 she has put both her, 20:49 heard of hearing children over here in our school. 20:53 Lakshmi's mother married when she was just 16. 20:56 Although such practices exist in rural India 20:59 since ancient times, 21:00 it would be hard for someone to assimilate this mentality 21:03 especially for a first time visitor 21:05 to rural India. 21:07 Lakshmi's mother 21:09 was also got married at a very young age 21:13 and that's the same thing 21:14 that she did with her elder daughter. 21:17 And we are hoping that that same thing 21:18 doesn't happen to Lakshmi 21:21 that she would be able to finish her studies, 21:23 her college, and then get into a good job, 21:24 and then look for getting married to someone. 21:28 We're hoping that that'll happen to her. 21:30 One can only hope that Lakshmi will have 21:32 the opportunity to break the shackles 21:34 of their long observed traditions 21:35 and compulsions, 21:37 and hope that education will let her have the freedom 21:39 to choose how she wants to live. 21:51 Lakshmi's family lived in a nearby village, 21:53 and Carl was anxious to meet them. 21:56 Upon arriving at her village, 21:57 it was clear that Lakshmi's family 21:59 loved her very much, and she loved her family. 22:02 The home was certainly minimalistic, 22:04 but hospitality was evident. 22:06 Seeing how content they are with what they have 22:08 is such a blessing and a valuable lesson 22:10 to all addicted to consumerism. 22:15 Carl got to talk to Kalavathi, 22:17 Lakshmi's mother through the help of Rajkumar 22:20 who is translating for them. 22:28 Her wish is her two children got educated in this Asian Aid, 22:31 through Asian Aid, sponsored through Asian Aid. 22:34 And there are many children in the villages, 22:36 she also want them to get educated same thing. 22:39 She want more sponsors to come forward 22:41 so that many children can come to the light. 22:45 Although the pain of life struggle 22:47 was deep within her, 22:48 one could sense how happy she was, 22:49 knowing that her daughter Lakshmi is well taken care of, 22:52 and she was thankful 22:54 for what we could do as an organization. 22:56 Rajkumar, we've just been talking 22:58 to Lakshmi's mother. 23:00 There must be lots of other children 23:03 in these villages who have disabilities. 23:08 What would be the situation if there was no help? 23:12 If there is no outside help, for example, like Asian Aid, 23:17 the other NGOs in India, 23:20 families like this will suffer very much. 23:25 And the pathetic situation is, 23:27 if there are no NGOs coming forward 23:29 to help them like these kids, 23:32 the society will be dropping them to one corner. 23:36 They'll not come out, and they can't get exposure. 23:40 If people, the society from outside, 23:45 comes and helps people like in these small villages, 23:49 remote villages, 23:50 children like Lakshmi will come up much brighter. 23:54 Their future, they can read it. 23:56 Otherwise, their future will be in debris. 24:03 You know, this is an example of what can happen 24:06 when someone like Asian Aid gets involved 24:09 and sponsors get involved in the child's life. 24:12 We can transform the person, give them a future, 24:16 create opportunities for them to be themselves, 24:20 be what God intended them to be. 24:23 What a privilege to create, 24:25 and generate, and multiply hope. 24:39 For someone like Lakshmi, 24:41 having a loving family is a blessing. 24:43 Because her mother wanted the best for her, 24:45 she was willing to leave her 24:46 in a school's boarding environment 24:48 just so she could give her the education, 24:50 she otherwise would be unable to provide. 24:53 Most of these children 24:54 understand their difficulties at home, 24:56 and understand the opportunities 24:57 they've been given by their sponsors, 24:59 and are ever thankful for the part 25:01 they are playing in their lives. 25:04 I'm sure that these children 25:07 are very thankful to their sponsors 25:09 and the sponsors should know this that everyday, 25:13 the children pray for them. 25:15 There's not a day goes without the child praying 25:18 for their sponsors. 25:19 And we are very thankful to the sponsors. 25:22 And they know the importance of sponsorship. 25:25 It's because of that sponsorship 25:27 that they are here, 25:29 and they are having a new friends, 25:32 a new life given to them. 25:37 Well, when I come to the school, 25:39 it's just touching. 25:41 I wish the sponsors could be here. 25:43 I wish the sponsors could really see 25:46 beyond the difference they're making. 25:48 The kids are so happy. 25:49 The kids want to touch you, 25:51 they want to communicate with you. 25:53 And without the sponsors, this simply wouldn't happen. 25:57 It's bigger than their education. 25:59 It's bigger than the child at the desk. 26:01 It's giving these kids a delight in life, 26:04 and that's what I see when I come here. 26:08 When Jesus was on the earth, 26:09 He invited the poor, the blind, the lame, 26:12 and the deaf into the temple and had fellowship with them. 26:15 Jesus mentioned 26:17 that when we do service to the least of these, 26:19 we are doing service to Him, 26:21 and He commissioned us to take care of the ones 26:23 who are less fortunate than us. 26:25 What a blessing it is for us to be in His service. 26:29 Many times I question myself asking, 26:32 "Am I doing the preaching work here, 26:36 or am I doing some kind of service?" 26:38 But then I realize what Jesus told, 26:40 the true religion is to take care of the orphans, 26:44 the widows, and the less fortunate ones. 26:47 And then by seeing the lives of these children transforming, 26:51 it gives me hope and courage, 26:53 Yes, what we are doing here is, 26:56 any day, the best thing that we must be doing. 26:58 It's important that the church 27:00 has these services going on. 27:05 Today, this Asian Aid School for Speech and Hearing 27:09 is a beacon for Christ in this area. 27:12 With this school in Kollegal, 27:14 Asian Aid is not only bringing hope 27:16 to the children, 27:17 but also to the community 27:19 as it sees practical Christianity in action. 27:21 The church could not have scripted a better outcome, 27:24 just being there and demonstrating love 27:26 on a consistent basis reflects the image of God. 27:31 These children are preparing for their final exams tomorrow. 27:35 And it's clear that these children 27:39 are being prepared not just to survive, 27:42 but for a future tomorrow and a future for eternity. 27:46 And for Asian Aid to be involved 27:48 in creating these opportunities really warms my heart. 27:52 It's helping me see what it is really to be human. 27:56 And I'm so glad to be part of that. |
Revised 2018-02-07