Opening of Swaha Vishok Bhavan (Children’s Home)

The members of the Swaha Social Services committee have been working assiduously over the past 12 years in assessing the needs of individuals, developing programmes and establishing institutions to provide for basic social needs. On Wednesday September 10th, one of our main dreams was realised: the opening of the Swaha Vishok Bhavan or Children’s Home in Mohess Road, Penal. The complex has been named ‘Surya Pratishthaan’ or ‘Abode of Light’ since the watchwords of the committee expound: ‘Serving the needs of others is the light that brightens each day.’

It was in fact the dream of the late Shankarcharya of Swaha, Pundit Hari Prasad, to establish a Children’s Home. The Social Services arm of Swaha worked tirelessly to ensure that this dream came to fruition. This dream began to flourish on May 12th 1999 when the plot of land on which the Home is now built was purchased. Vishok Bhavan now stands on what was once lagoon land and a huge dam.

On May 28th 2004, sod turning for construction took place. In 2005, Mrs Christine Sahadeo accepted the responsibility as Patron of Vishok Bhavan. Since then, members of the committee have worked with dedication and commitment to concretise this dream. By December 2006, construction was completed. The mission of Swaha’s Vishok Bhavan is simple – to provide a safe and loving home for girls aged 5-17 years whose parents cannot care for them. Vishok Bhavan will be a home in which children will be loved and nurtured in a safe and healthy environment. The future of Vishok Bhavan is indeed very bright: it hopes to pioneer innovative programmes and services in the field of social child-care and be an exemplar for the governance, management and operation of Children’s Homes nationwide.

Vishok translates into ‘free of worry’ or ‘happy’ in Sanskrit, and Bhavan means ‘home’. As such, Vishok Bhavan aims to be a home that is free from worry; a happy home. Children have the right to grow up in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding. The challenge now is to transform the physical structure into an actual happy home for the wonderful children who will spend their childhood there. If you are willing to contribute to the realisation of a Vishok Bhavan, then this is your chance to get involved. No participation or contribution is too little. This is just one of the many acts of paroupkaar in which Swaha has been engaged. The duty does not only extend to committee members; we all play a part. If interested, contact Swaha’s Head Office at 19 Chotoo Street, Aranguez, 674-7384. Become part of this great undertaking.

Event Pictures