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Training for the “Mothers” of Orphanages

In collaboration with the Miracle Foundation, an American NGO, Fr Locher has begun to work out a programme of training for the mothers at orphanages. Videos of 11 units are completed. Now the actual training is to begin.

A group of seven mothers from Orissa - since everything has to be translated, we can only take people from the same language group - came to our house in Bangalore from 12-15 April. A group of five women and one man from Tamil Nadu met in Viralimalai.

The theory section is mainly concerned with the formation of the personality. In order to help the children, who are already damaged, to develop their personalities, and in this way to give them a future in our rapidly changing society, the educators themselves must first have strong personalities. We become strong personalities by strengthening our identities. This has various dimensions: We reach into the past, learn to accept and understand it, and into the future, by asking: What are my dreams and ideals?

Identity grows out of the power of love. Needy love in our own lives has to be recognized and understood, so that the very strong need of orphans for love is understood and met correctly. The questions of the course participants then largely determined to specify the subject matter. One group was mainly concerned with questions about team work, and overcoming tensions and jealousy. The other group's main interest was in the correct ways to discipline, which may not be regimented, they may by no means use physical punishment, but which must offer the children orientation and integrate them into an ordered way of life. This is not always easy when the children have already enjoyed too much "false freedom".

The theory was complemented by practical advice about caring for the body, using modern appliances, learning new recipes, which the children will probably like, and drawing. We also looked at a film that suited our subject. The following day we analyzed it thoroughly. Two evenings were spent, to everyone's joy, with games. The aim was to encourage the children to play together in the homes.

Although it was a very filled programme, it was only a start and needs to be continued.

Teamwork Kitchen Jyodi and tower Certificates Round of talks Vira Change chairs Draw Sr. Rita with the reading

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