Dear
Family,
The other day one of my friends asked me ‘what makes OCS different from
other support programmes?’ I paused for a while and then shared about the
many things that we do. Later that same day, while having lunch with my
team members, I was told about Saumya from Trivandrum, Kerala and what
this project means to her. I got my answer to my friend’s question from
this little girl - our support is not just about mere money but something
more of great ‘worth’.
Often charity projects are a platform for benefactors to display their
wealth and their money’s worth. In contrast, at OCS, the focus has always
been on each child to tap their hidden wealth and realise their self
worth. We have our own unique ways of doing this starting from phone
calls and follow-up from the office, family follow-up (beneficiary
families are followed up by our volunteer families), vacation programmes,
exchange of letters and gifts, birthday celebrations, amongst others.
There have been several instances when we have gone that extra mile to
assist few children who were in special need with the help of their
benefactors and our volunteers.
The following story of Saumya is one such testimony of what we mean to
our children and their families. I sincerely believe that ‘showing them
their wealth and their worth’ is what makes OCS special and we will
continue to do so with your support and encouragement. Please read on...
Saumya*
Trivandrum, Kerala
We are two girls in our family and we live with our mother. Our father
passed away six years ago. The money that my mother earns selling fish is
very little. Many a time she wanted us to stop studying because she
couldn’t afford to send us to school. But still both my sister’s and my
own interest to study has kept growing. My mother also had some physical
problems. That is when one uncle helped us to become a part of the OCS
project.
For two years now we have been getting regular support. My mother calls
it our little treasure. Before, we just had enough money to live. My
mother was always worried that if either of us fell sick, she had no
extra money for treatment. The sponsorship amount has changed our lives.
I am completing my 8th Standard and I hope to become a doctor one day. My
mother tells us that if we had not started receiving this support, we
might have had to end our lives. Till then there was no one to call us or
console us. Now the calls we get from the Outreach Office make us happy
and give us a sense of security. Like my mother says, “this was a door
opened by the Lord Almighty when we saw the dead end of our lives”.
(*name changed to protect privacy)
Thanks and
Regards,
Subin
Jacob | Director |
Outreach Child Support
