Outstanding Story (Sub-junior) - My Experience At An Orphanage

“My Experience At An Orphanage” is one of the outstanding stories (sub-junior) of the first biannual International Short Story Contest 2019 written by Garv Gupta, Kothari International School, Noida, India.

My Experience At An Orphanage – (Based on Real Experience by Garv itself)

One day, I was travelling with my mother. The phone bell rang and my mother started explaining to someone about the orphanage where she works. After the conversation got over I asked her whether she could take me to her work place one day as I wanted to meet all the children and see how they live in an orphanage. Listening to this, my mother gave me a big hug and was really happy. She promised to take me over the weekend.

It was a bright sunny day. I was excited for my first ever visit to an orphanage. As I was to meet the kids for the first time, my mother told me to carry some candies along. On the way to the orphanage, my mother briefed me that I should not ask any child how they reached here, as they may feel bad. She also told me that they are all orphans and abandoned kids, but they find a good family for them and all the children get new parents by means of adoption. My curiosity increased and finally we reached Welfare Home for Children. I was amazed to see the shelter home. A beautiful garden with the swings, open space and greenly all around. A three floored building with 30 to 35 kids aged 0 till 8 years. I climbed up the stairs along with my mother to the first floor where I saw about 8 cute babies in the crib. A few were sleeping and the rest playing and crying. I could not take my eyes from them. I cuddled them for some time. I felt like taking all the babies home. After sometime, I went up on the second floor where the older children stay. They all came near me and we greeted each other. They showed me their bunk beds, class room, activity room etc. I was surprised to see how well the kids were looked after in an orphanage. All the children were confident, smart and above all looked joyful. I was very happy to make some new friends who are innocent and affectionate. We played together for some time. They all thanked me for the candies. I was so touched when they said “Garv bhaiya fir se aana hume mile” and I promised that I will be visiting them regularly.

My mother then introduced me to the staff members who are working for the cause with so much dedication. I never imagined that an orphanage can be so well managed. Since then till date I have been visiting Welfare Home for Children on almost every festival and on few occasions. I decided to celebrate my birthday with these children and since then I have been doing so. It gives me immense pleasure and satisfaction. What I learnt is that we keep crying for small things in life instead we should thank “almighty” for blessing us with a family, good health and happiness. Last but not the least each one of us should spread joy and happiness in whichever way we can for the less privileged.