I find greatness in the tree that grows against all odds

"Because we all spring
From different trees
Doesn’t mean
We are not created equally

I find greatness in the tree
That grows against all odds
It blossoms in darkness
And gives birth to promising pods"

These striking lines like the scenic locale of the SOS village, Shillong is the evocative poem written intrepidly by Gustav, a volunteer from Sweden on the red notice board at the entrance of the counselor’s office. This sums up the lives of the 124 children blossoming here into talented young individuals; away from the nearness of their innate homes and parents.

The SOS villages were set up during the World War II in 1949 to provide homes to thousands of children rendered homeless all over the world by Dr. Hermann Geimner, a Swiss philanthropist. They have 34 such villages in India too. Headquartered in Vienna, Save Our Souls villages possess an ambience and the environment of the disciplined, systematic coordination of its headquarters. These villages are lesser known for their charitable discourses, and are funded by their headquarters, local churches and NGOs. Quite nondescript and veiled by long and high compound walls, these villages are hidden from the public view. The children staying here have the best of facilities of modern comfort and a comparatively comfortable childhood enjoyed by their counterparts residing in the neighbourhood.

What makes the SOS village in Shillong, one of the four such villages in the Northeastern region of India, so inimitable, is its pictorial location on top of the hillocks amidst dense green pines overlooking the picturesque tranquil waters of the Umiam lake; generally mistaken for a resort from outside its precinct The volunteers of SOS who come from over all parts of the world are so taken in by the unexplored and undisturbed environs of the premises is that they are reluctant to leave at the end of their tenure. Says Gustav, “time is running out and I do not want to leave so soon.”

Inside the village the brightly painted red thatched roofs and yellow glazed walls with small gardens growing their own vegetables and having clothesline at the backyard represent a distinct picture of the countryside cottages. As I trek up the innumerable well preserved steps made of stones, I look down the hill with the lush green manicured grass and the vegetation swaying in the morning breeze. The green water of the lake flows calmly without breaking the silence of the environment and I am unable to take my sight away. It is special to the deprived children who never feel anything but the warmth and closeness of home growing up together and sharing a family.

After I pass the family quarters I finally arrive at the office of the village. The boyish looking volunteer who looks after the all round development of the children explains, “ what we try to give the child here is the warmth of the mother, the nearness of his home, brothers and sisters and the sensitivity of community. That is why we call our establishment a village so that the children are not deprived of the feeling of one’s own identity.” “ We hire mothers who are volunteers working for our establishment. Each mother takes care of ten children and they have a home where they eat, sleep, play, help their mothers and go to local schools. We have seven such homes and these homes make a village,” offers the counselor who is full of enthusiasm and his eyes have a special gleam when he speaks about the little children aged 3months to 12 years. It is a special feeling for a visitor too to be able to share the enthusiasm and the zest of life present in these little beings as they accept the packet of clothes and toys. It is a great feeling to be able to share such simple joys with these children who need love to nurture them. A day spent with these children amidst such natural splendor and away from the pandemonium of urban life, one tends to forget the worries of life.

The government has social responsibility towards such noble organizations too. It should not only encourage the local populace to help find homes for hundreds of helpless souls but also create awareness among the population. It should have provisions where it should help these young children to recognize their talents and help them acquire jobs in institutions of repute so that they are the examples to more such children who are struck by fate and desperately require the care and warmth.