DAISY

The first week I arrived in India I was completely speechless .Everything down to the weather was different. I had travelled half-way across the world to begin a new adventure.

On the first night everyone of us on the trip went downstairs to play with the rainbow children. We played lots of games like Ring a ringa rosies and Duck,duck goose. But one child really struck me. Her name is Daisy.

The first thing she did was to grab my hand and smile. Her beautiful, bright, full smile glowed as she looked at me with large brown eyes. She began to do my hair in plaits and as she played with my hair she began her story.

Daisy told me how one day she hoped to be a scientist. Her ambition struck me hard as she seemed fully confident in achieving her goal. There was no note of doubt in her voice.

She began to ask me about my family and naturally I asked her about hers. She told me that she had seven sisters but they had all died. She referred to herself as the child God had saved.

She then told me how her real mother had abandoned her and left her on the streets with her sisters. She referred to the woman who had saved her from death as her ‘real’ mother, who was one of God’s angels sent from heaven. I asked her where her real mother lives now and she said “on the streets” and that she had brought Daisy to the Loreto School just three days previous to my arrival.She told me that she will not see her new mother till the end of February and how she misses her greatly.

This child’s story really affected me and made me begin to appreciate what I have. She had been through a tremendous amount of trauma in her life but yet she still seemed happy. I could not and still cannot believe how ambitious and light-hearted this child remains. She never wears anything but a smile on her face. It really amazes me. It makes me realize how life always moves forward no matter what your problems are.

Daisy taught me not to worry or fight over small issues in life. Since our first conversation I have become much closer to her and will find it hard to say goodbye. Daisy made me realise that all the work we put in was well worth it and that these beautiful Rainbow children are who we are working for and that they do really appreciate our work. – Sorcha


[Mods Note : John Alexander was talking to Sr Cyril who started the Rainbow programme for street children many year’s ago and Daisy came up in conversation as a girl who showed immediate potential. This was before Sorcha’s article came in. This is quite a coincidence as there are now well over 300 ‘Rainbows’ living on the roof of Loreto Sealdah. ]