Ramana's Oasis

March 4, 2013

Ramana's Oasis 

One of the organizations we supported through this year's Seva Challenge was Ramana's Garden, located in Rishikesh.  We wanted to make a point of stopping in and seeing what we were supporting and had no idea what to expect.

We were greeted by two 16-year old residents who were at the home studying for their final English exam as the rest of the children were out on a picnic.  These girls happily gave us a tour of this amazing oasis...plentiful beds of vegetables and lettuces, four cows, a chicken shed (Sunday is egg day), a horse, three goats and 60 children make up the population of the home.

The girls told us they study, work in the cafe (a popular eatery in Rishikesh that uses its own produce), have a chess club and a playground.  You could sense the children are independent, confident and well loved.  I so enjoyed the self-sustaining creation of the place complete with solar hot water system and composting.  We then ate a delicious lunch and had my first raw salad in a few weeks.  The cafe was inviting and had different versions of the Hanuman Chaleesa playing in the background.

Ramana's Garden was founded some 15 years ago by an American woman who initially went to India for her own spiritual practice.  She couldn't ignore the poor, malnourished and at risk children that were so prevalent and hence, Ramana's Garden and Children's Home evolved into being.  To quote their web site:

"Ramana’s Garden takes children from these brutal circumstances and provides a healthy and loving environment in which they can heal and grow. We provide children with a home and the security of an extended family, in addition to the education and training they need to become independent and functioning adults. At Ramana’s we know that human relationships are fundamental to all learning. We encourage our children to be creative and independent, and to be responsible for themselves and each other. We strive to create an environment where children can find out what they love to do and learn to do it better!"

To learn more click http://sayyesnow.org/about/ramanas-garden-chilrens-home/

I have had so many moments on this trip where I have witnessed what seem to be pathetic and impoverished situations.  You search for hope and so often are overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness and "that's just the way things are".  And then, I have come across individuals who don't buy into that thought paradigm.  It's as though their compassion gathers enough will to override the odds of success.  They create, they cooperate, the take a risk and they often fail.  But along the way, they find a way.  Their persistence and commitment light my own fire to keep moving along my path of service.

Once again, I have seen that one person can make a difference.  More powerfully, if you gather that spark from that individual and light the fire of others, change happens.  Lives and opportunities expand.  I am committed to being  such a person.  Will you join me?