WALKING WITH YASHODHARA

Earlier this year, I joined Yashodhara Shelter Home as a Volunteer in the Project. I was already familiar with the Project and most of the children, but even so, the task to be undertaken was unknown to me, since I had moved within different parameters in my everyday life.

I set aside the first few days to observe everything and enjoy my being there; I could not do anything else before the wonderful vitality that permeates the house. From early morning until the sun sets, there is endless activity – study, games, great food...

The daily contact with the children gave me the confidence and the tools to work with them to support their development and vital process, bringing in a degree of attention to certain issues to ensure that they feel cared for in their daily life.

In the first weeks after my arrival, four new children joined our Home. Surprisingly, they immediately ran around happily and were easily accepted by all their housemates. For the new children, everything is about learning, and their new friends guide and support them with school work, personal hygiene and everyday matters.

I also perform management and support procedures in Yashodhara, bringing in my previous experience from Spain, and attend meetings with the team that works for the Foundation, integrating and sharing ideas to improve the functioning of the Home, a partnership which is always welcome by the team. I feel very supported and accompanied at all times, both by members of Asha-Kiran in India and in Spain.

So these months are being very enriching at all levels: there is time to reflect, time to play, time to learn, time to share...

Eshana Alcover