Visit to Dayabhavan, Kunigal, Tumkur.

2005 pic of inaug. by HG Osthathios (c).

Dayabhavan is the home for the non-HIV infected children of HIV infected parents situated in Kunigal in Tumkur district in Karnataka run by the Orthodox Syrian Church of India. Wanted to visit some socially stimulating place and this institution run by the Orthodox Syrian church founded by Geevarghese Mar Osthathios in 2005 was a very apt place to visit. This is our second visit... The website of the orphanage is www.dayabhavan.org 

 

The place has two buildings, the St Gregorios orphanage that houses 72 inmates from 5 years to about 20 years of age, mostly studying in the local Kannada medium govt schools and some in local english medium schools, going to PUC and Degree. 

 

The other building is the govt recognised St Gregorios adoption centre for Tumkur district that has about 17 children from 1 day to about 4 years of age. The kids are in different stages of adoption by local childless couples and foreign ones. Usually adoption is a very long legal process taking about 3 years of time. The government system works well in trying to understand over this period of time the willingness and capability of the couple to adopt and take care of children well into their adolescence. Children from the adoption centre move in to the orphanage as they grow. About 7-8 babies are in different stages of adoption by Indian and foreign couples. 

From St. Gregorios Orthodox church, Hosur Road, Bangalore, a team of ten members from five families and driver Anil, under the leadership of Dr. Alice Mani, got ready by 6 AM. By 6.45 AM we were hitting the road to Kunigal in two Toyota Innova, loaded with food and gifts for the children. We went there to spend a very productive day with the children.

We carried the breakfast of appam (total 400) for all the orphanage inmates and their caretakers, while the chicken curry was prepared by the kitchen staff. After a blessed breakfast with the children, we were entertained by them for about two hours. They sang and danced to their hearts content. It was great motivation for them to perform in front of a very welcome crowd who gave them all support and encouragement to dream big and do great things in life.

Kids having breakfast

Then we went around the compound to watch the kitchen gardens being maintained by the children with Fr. Jinesh Varkey. A type of Miyawaki forestry (click here for Miyawaki at Toyota Kirloskar plant Bidadi)  of intense vegetation is practiced here. Instead of wild trees, lot of beneficial fruit bearing trees and vegetables were planted closely together that supported each other while giving high quality organic produce for the inmates to consume. They also make very pure vurgin coconut oil which they sell at rs 300 per liter. 

We also brought some of the produce with us back to Bangalore, at a cost, which helps the orphanage financially. Besides the members also gave good donations to the orphanage to help in it's daily functioning alongside sacks of rice, books, furniture, pickles, and so on.

Alice Mani was very helpful

We also were fortunate enough to plant about ten saplings, a practice to have deep intimate feelings of association with the orphanage and the inmates. The return trip at 2 PM got us back in our homes in Bangalore by 5 PM.

This is a trip we would not forget for a long time. We have enjoyed the warmth and safety of our parents during our lifetime and so have our children. When we think of these children who were denied these luxuries, we feel sorry for them and wish to help them in all ways possible. We are forever grateful to God for giving us the basic pleasures and luxuries of life. 

Were it not for the persistence from Dr Alice Mani, we would not have made it to Kunigal during this Covid time. A big thanks to her once again.

If you want to help the orphanage financially pl contact the Manager / warden Fr Jinesh Varkey 94483 71298. The passion and dedication of Fr Jinesh to this institution is commendable.

St. Gregorios Dayabhavan

Bhaktharahalli Post, Vanigere Village, Kunigal Taluk, Tumkur District, Karnataka State, India. PIN-572 120

Ph. No: +91-76767 05649 (Admin Office), +91-94483 71298 (Secretary Fr Jinesh)

dayabhavan@gmail.com

George.