Experiences: Daya Orphanage

* Projects > Asia > India > Daya

Denise Hudson from the United States visited Daya Orphanage and spent from mid February to mid March, 2006 at the project.

Well, I have returned safely to U.S. and will remember my stay at the DAYA orphanage in Bhubaneswar, India for the rest of my life. I fell in love with every single one of the 20 children there. I found them to be so bright and so inquisitive.

I was able to bring some learning materials as well as fund some things that the orphanage didn't have. The children were so excited and so happy to have these things, but more importantly they were like sponges soaking up all the love and attention that Jacon and I were able to give them. I wanted to bring them all home with me.

For anyone thinking about volunteering I would say this: It was absolutely the most fulfilling thing I have ever done. However, you must be prepared to face poverty. illness, and destitution at a level that quite frankly was beyond my comprehension. But it didn't take long for me to adjust and once that happened, I had the greatest time!

I would be glad to visit with anyone that is considering going there and please feel free to give out my E-mail. In a few short words, I would say, "absolutely, yes...go...and be blessed by an experience that will change your life. Those kids need you and they will give you so much love
in return.

Shanti, the director, and her family accomodated us in every aspect. The only thing that was hard was to try and tell them, "No, I really don't want anything more to eat"! When I went, these kids only had a couple changes of clothes, some no shoes, very few toys, games, books. I was able to give them a DVD player and I still get tears in my eyes thinking about the first time they watched "The Lion King" and other films. Their eyes were so big as well as their smiles. It was so inspiring to watch these children as they saw things for the first time. They had a level of excitement and interest that so many U.S. children take for granted.

My first day, I was welcomed with flowers, tribal songs and dances. We couldn't understand each other's language but that didn't stop us from communicating with gestures, smiles and the unviversal language of love. Many of the children were even communicating with English by the time I left. I taught them basic skills and they picked up quickly. I hope to see them one day again and I pray for their futures.

Please contact me if you have any questions through the volunteer coordinator and thanks so much for this wonderful opportunity.

Sincerely,
Denise Hudson
Dubuque, Iowa

Denise teaching Smiling kids Volunteers quarters