Happy Day!

This past week has been tough at Shanti Dan. The heat takes it's toll on everyone, even the girls who live at Shanti Dan, the home for handicapped girls that we volunteer at in Kolkata. Last week Pratiksha stopped drinking and eating.Pratiksha is 12 but appears to be 2 years old because her development is so delayed. She has no muscle strength so the Mossies have to pour her food into her. All the Mossies tried but could not get her to keep food down. They were at their wits end when she aspirated some of her food. When we left, the ambulance was coming to take her to the hospital. Two days later she was back, smiling and responding to vices and touches. Rahda is the oldest girl, she is 50 - she and I might be the oldest two women on the first floor. Rahda was in bed for 5 days with a fever. Often I would stop be her bed to talk to her. She smiles so easily even though she is not feeling well. Today when I got to the home I was happy to see that she was in her class! Little Poonam and Tiya had been in bed for a few days too but returned to class today. They are two of the sweetest souls. Poonam is very small and her muscles are so tight that it is difficult to dress her, but when the struggle is over and you stroke her hair she gives you the most beautiful smile. Tiya is in my class. She is probably the most responsive of the girls in my class. She tries to do the activities that and games that we play. Today we were washing plastic dishes with a wet wash cloth. (The main thing for the girls in my class is to try to get them to hold on to an object and move their arms in different motions.) She was happy to pick up a dish and the cloth and to try to wash it. When she gets tired she drops the toy over head, behind her chair and then laughs... just like a toddler... but the laugh is so sweet you can't get upset.  Nirmala is still in bed. I am not sure what sickness she has but she has round the clock attention from the Sisters and the Mossies. Please pray for this sweet girl.

Thank you for all of your prayers. Please know that we are praying for you too.