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Living in the Bay of Bengal

MSC archived stories - June 20, 2020

With the easing of lockdown happening gradually, time to welcome my newest addition, Neha to the family. I don’t know when CI arrange visitations, can sponsors accommodate time to prepare a meal (even in outdoor) for the family, provided they bring their own cooking ingredients/utensils – any thoughts?

My Dear Neha,

 

It's been nearly 2 months since you joined my family of sponsored children from around the globe. As I write this letter, you will have noticed a difference around you as people's daily lives are not as used to be with the spread of a viral disease everywhere and the devastation left by a cyclone last month. I hope and pray that you and your family are keeping safe and well.

 

To me, Kolkata is like no other place on earth with such vibrant and rich culture. When I first saw you, my eyes immediately caught up with your hand gesture (Bharatanatyam, the classical dance of India) combined with rhythmic Bangla music brought home my very first Bangla dancer of Bharat – Welcome dhuwa! (daughter as in my mother tongue)

 

First, so that you know me, my name is Chelaka. I was born in Sri Lanka, neighboring island in South Asia, but now live in Scotland of Great Britain (four and a half hours behind you). I have been a CI sponsor for 15 years now. I love our common heritage of upbringing shaped by religion, languages and art.

 

How far away do you live from the River Ganges (Hugli or Hooghly River as called in West Bengal)? Does your family take you there often for ritual bathing? Have you seen yet the majestic Bengal tiger in the wild forest, or crocodiles in the river basin? What do you do during annual Durga Puja festivity? Do you live in rural villages in the Sundarbans peninsula?

 

How close are you to school from home and do you walk everyday? What's your favorite subject in third grade studies, and what would you like to be when you grow up?

 

When I make my travel back home someday, I'd love to pay a visit to see you and prepare a meal for the whole family. Do you think it's a good idea?

 

Stay safe and healthy!

Lots of Love,

Chelaka

Comments

  1. chelaka23 March 2025 at 17:14

    chelaka, I love your enthusiasm for your children! Neha will be thrilled to get your letter.! But I bet you are probably the first sponsor to want to cook for their child and family. It will be interesting to hear CI's thoughts on that!

    June 21, 2020

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  2. chelaka23 March 2025 at 17:14

    Hi Chelaka! When a sponsor asks to arrange for a visit, we always ask if they would like to provide a fun recreational activity for the youth during the visit. In urban Kolkata, where Neha lives, activities range from the Victoria memorial, Indian Museum, Planetarium, Science City, Zoological Garden or shopping. When the SOA staff and the family are arranging for a sponsor visit, the youth/family will select the activity they most want to do. Of course, a sponsor could suggest something like cooking a meal together, but it would be up to the staff and family to determine if it was feasible and wanted. Generally the sponsor provides funding for the staff and family to eat lunch out during the visit, which is a real treat for the family!

    June 22, 2020

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  3. chelaka23 March 2025 at 17:14

    Also, wanted to let you know that Neha lives in urban Kolkata about a 10 minute drive from our central office. She walks to school and it takes less than 15 minutes according to the info the family has provided to our staff. I don't know if having this information would make you want to edit your letter or not, but I can wait to approve the letter to be sent if you'd like.

    June 22, 2020

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  4. chelaka23 March 2025 at 17:15

    Thanks Debbie! How nice to have the choice of a family meal prepared by sponsor. So, it'd be between going out for a lunch or preparing a healthy meal together at home in about 30 minutes. Of course, all culinary itinerary will be agreed beforehand and the staff won't be left starving as they too get to taste the feast. Afterwards we can go and relax gazing at the stars in the Planetarium – how is that for a spectacular visit to remember!

    June 22, 2020

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  5. chelaka23 March 2025 at 17:15

    And, thanks for the answers in advance! The intension was more for us to get to know each other through research and dialog than simply to find answers. If Neha can learn a lot about me from my questioning, so can I from her answering. I'd leave it to our imagination :)

    June 22, 2020

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  6. chelaka23 March 2025 at 17:15

    @Chelaka: Please note that there is no guarantee that if you visit the family will agree to having a minimum of four extra people in their home for you to cook for all of them. In fact, they may not even have space for 4 extra persons, remember it's a one multi-purpose room. I only say this so that you temper your expectations :-)

    June 22, 2020

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