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We reached SADDAC on 21st of December 2006. We were warmly welcomed by Sr. Olive and Mr. Pious Peter.
We had a great opportunity to experience the life style of street children. During our 9 days of stay in SADDAC, we have gained a lot of rich experience. The children were very open and receptive. We could enter into their lives and experience their past.
We took back with us these sad stories the children at SADDAC shared with us about their lives and hardships they faced on the platforms – the way they had to sweat out to earn their bread. It was challenging to listen to their attitude towards life at the platforms and to see how they begin to see a ray of hope as they begin to lead a happy life with dignity at SADDAC.
While we were interacting and becoming one with them we realized that our outlook towards these children was changing – a kind of love and respect for them was growing within us. We also cherish much the experience of conducting games and sports for these children during the Christmas Programme which was arranged for the platform children along with those of SADDAC.
We also had an opportunity to go to the Railway Station everyday and listen to the sad stories of the abandoned children on the platforms. We wish we had more days to spend with them because it was not only listening to them but the mere encounter of the miserable life of these boys and girls at the platforms was challenging our attitude towards them. We began to look at them not as high class people or as outsiders but as their friends; for we realized that the change does not begin with them. Change has to begin with ourselves first before we set out to change them!
We had a great opportunity to experience the life style of street children. During our 9 days of stay in SADDAC, we have gained a lot of rich experience. The children were very open and receptive. We could enter into their lives and experience their past.We took back with us these sad stories the children at SADDAC shared with us about their lives and hardships they faced on the platforms – the way they had to sweat out to earn their bread. It was challenging to listen to their attitude towards life at the platforms and to see how they begin to see a ray of hope as they begin to lead a happy life with dignity at SADDAC.
While we were interacting and becoming one with them we realized that our outlook towards these children was changing – a kind of love and respect for them was growing within us. We also cherish much the experience of conducting games and sports for these children during the Christmas Programme which was arranged for the platform children along with those of SADDAC.
We also had an opportunity to go to the Railway Station everyday and listen to the sad stories of the abandoned children on the platforms. We wish we had more days to spend with them because it was not only listening to them but the mere encounter of the miserable life of these boys and girls at the platforms was challenging our attitude towards them. We began to look at them not as high class people or as outsiders but as their friends; for we realized that the change does not begin with them. Change has to begin with ourselves first before we set out to change them!
Nolan Fernandes, S.J. and Robert Soren, S.J.
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Nolan Fernandes, S.J. and Robert Soren, S.J., Jesuit Scholastics of Goa and Dumka Province respectively, were in their Juniorate formation at Pune. They spent their Christmas holidays at SADDAC, Daund.
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