The New Anbaham emerges

Carmel Cunningham, a supporter of SARC from Northern Ireland, visited Sr Selvi in April 2008 and records her impressions as the re-named Anbaham (Tamil for House of Love) was emerging amidst the dust and debris of the builders' work.

My return to the Anbaham project at Muttom gave me that sense of joy that comes from seeing the positive creation that can be made from an active response to human need.

I was delighted to see Sr Selvi at Trivandrum Airport. It felt like huge abundance to step into the comfortable vehicle supplied by the joint ventures of Coventry and Nagercoil Rotary Clubs. On my previous trip two years ago, I had taken a train through the beautiful Keralan countryside to Trivandrum and a bus to Nagercoil. Travelling by local transport, one is afforded a fascinating insight into Indian life. I was delighted, however, that life was made easier for the project by the purchase of this very serviceable vehicle.
When we arrived at our destination, even though it was late in the evening, I was struck immediately by the changes that had transpired in the last two years. I was awestruck at the sight of the impressive structure that had risen from the building site I left in June 2006. To me the building looked magnificent. In the night, with only the light from the house, the garden looked luscious and full, with trees and flowers, compared with the sand and bareness that was there before.

I walked up the steps (over tiled floors) into the central courtyard area. I looked up at the second floor which was a mere dream when I had been with Sr Selvi before. Work on this level is obviously still on-going and I look forward to the finished product with completed rooms, balcony, and on top of this floor, a flat roof with another small balcony. From here one can feast on the view of where the Bay of Bengal almost meets the Indian Ocean and drink in the sea breezes. (sorry if this sounds like a travel brochure).

Selvi took me on a tour that first night. My delight increased on seeing the developments in every room – Selvi’s well-equipped office with computers for the children, the study room with desks, the sewing room with sewing machines, the children’s room with their compartments for their possessions, the prayer room and guest rooms.

And the garden! What a profusion of trees, plants and flowers. How this desert-like landscape has been transformed into a garden of eden – well nearly! I am told that Jill has been a veritable Charley Dimmock – with her enthusiasm in buying and planting trees and plants. Selvi and Tata (Grandfather) the gardener, are working hard in covering even more ground with the shade of trees and bushes and colour from the various array and displays of flowers. The children all have responsibility for “their” trees, and water them every day at 4pm. Tata uses the hose pipe for those plants nearer the house. This elderly man takes good care of planting and nurturing the garden. When I was trying to plant a mango tree – a photo opportunity, I admit (please see attached photo) – I was pulling the plastic covering too soon and was quickly informed to be careful; I knew to leave the rest to the expert.

I was fed royally throughout the time I was at the project. Selvi makes the most of what they produce. She and Tata obviously know to have the trees produce fruit at different times so there is always a ready supply.

The children were o school holidays and at their own homes when I visited. However, Reena and Lensa were there to help the two ladies in the kitchen. One of these women brought her year old baby who provided great entertainment. With these different generations, including Tata the elderly gardener, there was very much a family feel to the place. Different children visited briefly. While I was there it was nearly time for school to begin again and for the project to resume its work in supplying added benefits to the lives of the children who will live there. Mothers, sent by the parish priest ,who wanted their children to attend, came to talk to Sr Selvi. One of the cooks who previously worked there came and said she was staying there until she got her old job back. Anhaban Project is a place not only giving that little bit extra to local children and families in need but also providing much needed employment for the area. As Michael, the builder, said to Selvi, this place has fed my family and the families of all the workers here.

I feel enriched by my stay, albeit short, with Selvi in this project and my previous time here. I see the positive long-term consequences of human beings responding wholeheartedly to what started out as tragedy and I am glad to have been a small part of it.

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