And I've told you about the SKSN school before. Nothing I say could do justice to the generosity of the people running the school. Big hearts. Making a big difference to children in rural communities. Children suffering polio. Children born as congenital amputees. Children who've tragically lost limbs in accidents. Children whose futures before SKSN seemed bleak as they had no facilities to help them live full lives in their isolated rural villages. SKSN transforms lives. Literally. We spent a day with Dr Bhati. He runs the school. He is personally transforming lives and creating opportunities for children. He spoke about how he became passionate about educating and supporting children with disabilities from rural villages.
He attended a wedding in India. Indian weddings. All show. Big bang. Colours and flowers. Weddings (in addition to being my favourite things in the entire world) are an opportunity for families to show off their wealth. Weddings are an opportunity for families to impress upon their future in-laws the status of their child. At this such wedding, where the food I'm sure was supplied in a never-ending fashion, the family was especially concerned to ensure their daughter was presented as the perfect Indian housewife. And not in the way I think about when I question whether I'll ever be a perfect Indian housewife. I can't roll round chapattis. However, I'm sure this girl had mastered these culinary challenges. The girl's family needed to make sure their (hopefully!) soon-to-be son-in-law knew his future wife would give him beautiful, strong, healthy children. So they couldn't let the future in-laws know about any genetic problems in their family. So Dr Bhati found the bride's young brother out the back of the bridal marquee. Chained. Like a dog. This boy had polio. He was useless to his farmer father. He was to be hidden away at all costs.
Dr Bhati was enraged. I was enraged hearing the story. If you're any kind of person you too would be enraged at the thought of a beautiful, vibrant child locked away from the world. Luckily Dr Bhati is helping lead SKSN towards helping young children like this boy. Children suffering polio and other physical disabilities are being literally saved from villages, given a first-class education, given treatment and the wheelchairs/prosthetics they require. They are given opportunities to develop skills. They are given the opportunity to attend university. They are given the opportunity to stand up and show the people who used to chain them what potential they really hold. These kids are fighters. These children are inspiring me all the way in Melbourne.
And just in case you missed how fabulous this organisation is, let me share with you a short video. This is Lakshmi. This is her daily struggle before SKSN changed her life.
This photo below is of the refreshingly radiant Lakshmi when I met her at SKSN. Dr Bhati (in the photo) and the team at SKSN have changed her life.
If this organisation can change this girl's life so very much, imagine what it can do (and continues to do everyday) for children with much more 'standard' disabilities like these beautiful ones we met at the school in the desert near Jodhpur. They need simple prosthetic limbs. These limbs could transform their lives and ensure they can live like any other Indian child. A relatively small amount of money could help achieve this.
And now that I've been looking through my SKSN photos, I am re-inspired. I feel like I need to rob banks to send money over to them. Perhaps I should seek out other, less-illegal ways to help create change for these beautiful children. Am seeking ideas. Blow me away with your thoughts on how we can support this amazing school.
Tweet me @brett_louise. Email me brett.louise@gmail.com. I'm ready and waiting.
