Over a year ago, I scoured the internet in hopes to find an orphanage to visit in Hyderabad, India. There would be time available knowing that one can only see so many forts, mosques and temples during a five day visit. An email was sent and information was returned and that’s how I learned about a small orphanage on the outskirts of Hyderabad called, The Joy Home for Children.
Fast forward about nine months later, there was uncertainly about the visit as very little communication had been received from the home. But the universe has a way and while working on my computer in the hotel one afternoon a message was received that Dr. Jyothi was in the lobby and wanted to meet. Dr. Jyothi is part of the husband and wife doctor team who started the orphanage and provides for the children on an ongoing basis.
After warm hugs and greetings, off we went to visit her personal home where some of the older children live. It just so happened that a number of the little ones were at her home that day as well. It was a nice visit, the children sang songs and swarmed around and loved having their photos taken.
The next morning we headed out to the farm where the main orphanage is located and where most of the younger children live full time. They were excited to see our car traveling down the dirt road toward their home. Once again it was like little swarms of bees wanting to get closer to look and to feel this blonde hair person (with a blue curl – more on that in another post…) with green eyes and painted blue toenails. I’d brought my instamatic camera along, so you can imagine how excited they were to received their very own photo of themselves! Of course after many photos, my hands painted with henna and draped in a sari complete with jewelry, it was time to head back to the city.
Even though the children could not speak English, the smiles and body language provided all the communication needed to know how much we appreciated each other. My eyes welled with tears as we traveled back out the dirt road still seeing little hands waving goodbye.
But something tells me we’ll see each other again, perhaps sooner than later…
“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” Mark Twain
What a great, heart warming story. My eyes welled with tears. I so look forward to reading your blog and viewing your stunning photos. Thank you for sharing.
Oh Diane, thank you so much!! It was such a wonderful experience. I wake up each morning seeing those little faces!
As the mother of a blind child, I agree with Mark Twain. But, not only about kindness being the language of the deaf and blind…but really kindness is really the language we all seek. Right?
Oh so true GH! So so true!
I have fallen in lover through photographs! I am overwhelmed with happiness for you!!! xoxoxo
Hi,
I’m trying to get some information on Joy Home for Children and hoping you can help me out. I’ve made a donation and have attempted to contact the gentleman in England on different occasions with absolutely no response. This lends me to believe that either this charity is not well run or it leans toward a sham with the money not going to where it is intended. It could also be numerous other things – not all of them bad. 🙂 I was wandering if you have been back in contact with this charity since your visit and what your thoughts are on the way they operate. Any help and comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Kenny
Hi Kenny:
Thanks for your note. I first contacted the gentleman in England and he put me in touch with the family that operates the orphanage since I was going to be visiting their country. Since I made my contribution directly to them while visiting, I can’t say that the England contact is being non-responsive, not well run or a sham. I can say that the children of the Joy Home absolutely captured my heart, and I hope to return one day in the near future. There is a phone number on the website for Dr. Jyothi..perhaps that’s an avenue? Hope this helps…
Dr. Jyothi – Tel: 040-944 056 1364