Hi Friends,

I am not very good at putting pen to paper or express myself in writing, what I feel but I will still go ahead and make an effort. That’s because I am feeling so good and happy after the yesterday’s Chennaimoms meet up. So please bear with me.

So at last the "Chennaimoms August meet-up" & long due "orphanage Visit" was accomplished with "Happy ending" for all.

Our day started when at around 12'o clock, when the van, with Chennaimoms Banner on it, started from Arumbakkam 19^th street for our destination, Neelankarai.

By the time the Van reached Ashok Pillar where me, Ssb, Uma & Kaushalya were picked up, Hasina, Bhavani , Radhika, Gayathri, Bhavs and Uthara were already there with the kids. So the 10 of us carried on towards the Orphanage, chatting (that basically comprised of sharing our Love Stories, with full masala, with each other & especially for Hasina. BTW,you have any plans to publish a compilation soon?). Indhu met us directly at the orphanage at Nilankarai. So it was 11 moms + 8 kids. (Oops if I am wrong)

By the time we reached the Orphanage, it was close to 12:45. We were greeted by Shubhash & his wife (they are running that orphanage) the fulltime caretakers (again a couple) and the kids – with all smiles and beautiful roses which all the moms got. (I got 4). Subhash updated us about how the orphanage was formed, how he runs and all the other details. (Brief – It was his dream from college that wanted to something of this sort and when he got married he told his wife who accepted and supported the same. So they have taken this small house on rent where they are running the private, small and self-financed and supported orphanage. They have around 42 kids out of which few are completely orphan and few are semi-orphan which means that they have just one parent and are very poor and cant afford basic necessities also. SO these kids are supported here, given food and shelter and sent to schools in nearby places. There is no permanent source of income and its basically taken care of by Subhash and his Wife and two caretakers.  It was so amazing to hear what all he told. He deserves all applauds and best wishes.

After Subhash left for his work, Hasina, Ssb and Indhu served food to the kids at orphanage while our other moms had to fulfill the duty of feeding their kids too. The kids enjoyed there meal and we were happy watching them this way. After that we all moms had lunch. Enjoyed our lunch rather. Lunch over – by 2 P.M. We sat down, talked for sometime and then it was fun time with the orphanage kids. Time for some dance and music.  All will agree with me that the kids in orphanage were so good at playing the music, singing and dancing as well. There were two girls who danced so well and a boy who was playing small drums very nicely. And how will Chennaimoms be behind in this fun where in Ssb and Bhavs danced along with the girls which was great to see. Fun, fun and fun.

Thus, it was a great time that we spent at the orphanage where in we felt good and also somewhere little pain we felt for the kids but I guess it was just. Those kids were like all other normal and confident kids infact much more mature and responsible and than we can see around us of similar age. We left the place with all smiles on our face and most important, on the face of the kids there.

But hold on, that was not the end of the day. How can kids allow us to get back home if they know that beach is so close? So, yes, we all went to see at around 3’0 clock in afternoon and spent almost 45 min there in water. Kids just had a blast. And we too (ME TOO). Kids were almost dragged out after 40-45 min, cleaned, clothes changed and loaded in Van (they do not want to go from beach).

And then happened the last even of the day before Indhu could leave in her car and we in Van. Tame was presented with her the gift certificate by Bhavani which she has won for the treasure hunt contest. Congrats once again Tame.

And we boarded the Van to get back to our place, all on a very happy note and with a hope of meeting again very very very soon.

We had fun, we all were happy, our kids and the kids at orphanage were happy, satisfied, thrilled, excited and so much – all at the same time and for this SPECIAL THANKS GOES TO –

Bhavani, once again, for giving us this platform

Hasina – For arranging this orphanage visit & and non-veg food

Tame – For arranging the Van which made our journey fun and comfortable

Sumithra – For arranging the Veg food which was very good

And not but not the least to “All the moms” who have for the charity and also who have come together to make “Chennaimoms” such a big success.

Smita

PS: At the cost of repeating my self I am saying I am not good at writing so please pardon me for the mistakes I might have done above and also if I have missed something. Also I will post my pictures soon