Worries of a Sick Orphan in Attapadi (Part 2 of 2)

Say, somebody tried to talk to you and you did not hear it, what would be the typical reaction of the person who tried to talk to you. The person may raise his voice and try to talk to you once again. Say, we still didn't hear. The person might get irritated and could yell at you, saying "are you deaf?” Definitely, nobody would like to be in such situations.

Consider Sachu and Sneha living in this situation for their entire life. Lack of communication inhibits the interaction between people and affects personal development. Inability to hear is definitely a barrier to communication. People, who cannot hear from birth, typically have difficulty in talking. The chances are that regaining the ability to hear can restore the ability to talk.

All these led the caretakers to go ahead with the surgery and cochlear implant for Sachu & Sneha at a cost of 12 lakhs.

What is a cochlear implant?

If you have partial hearing, you can use a hearing aid to amplify sound. If you have total loss of hearing, hearing aids won't help, as there is no signals to amplify. A cochlear implant is used instead. Cochlear implants compensate for damaged or non-working parts of the inner ear. A cochlear implant is a small, complex electronic device that can help to provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf. The implant is surgically placed under the skin behind the ear. A cochlear implant simulates the functions of the ear by converting sound waves in the air into electrical impulses which are sent to the brain to be recognized as sound.
Attapadi is a tribal belt in the financially backward Malabar area. The main focus of the orphanage where Sachu and Sneha lives is on the tribal orphans. The orphanage is operated by the missionaries of St.Thomas ashram. (One of IOC's ashrams)

We all visit orphanages when we visit our home towns. How do we choose the orphanage that we visit? Most likely it will be the places that are close to our homes. So if the number of people living close by is less, the number of visitors visiting the orphanage is less, the support for the orphanage is less. That is the case of Attapadi. There are very less number of people living in this area.

When you consider 12 lakhs, for on an orphanage in Attapadi, it's a huge amount, something close to their entire assets. On the flipside, you could look at it as the love and care that they are providing to the orphans. They trusted the Lord, we can be sure that miracles will happen. We can help, we can become the Lord's Angels that Sachu & Sneha are waiting for. If your church has charity funds that you distribute to eligible people, please consider this need of this orphanage.

Their address is
St. Thomas Ashram,
Agali P.O, Nellippathy, Attappady, Palakkad District, Kerala - 678581

If you can, call them and ask how Sachu and Sneha are doing. Build a relationship with these orphanages.
Phone: 91-492-425-4430

The Lord told Abraham "you are blessed, to be a blessing". Is this true for us? He has given us the ability to hear; and hence, we surely know, we are blessed. The question is "will we be a blessing", in particular to these orphans.

Thanks,
Rajesh
St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Austin, TX

Source: ICON http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/12645