Loving Greetings from Sr. Lilly Chirayath
Dear Friends,
The Almighty has done great things for us Holy is His name. We thank God for His unconditional love and protection especially for our children. They are the inspiration for our work.
Birthday Celebrations:
Every month we celebrate our children’s birthday to make them feel important and happy. This time Ms. Sonia Udaiveer, Angel, Mary Danvar, Neetu Bablu, Reena and Neha etc. They cut the cake and we distributed sweets among them. They enjoyed having cake and sweets. They were very happy to celebrate their birthdays.
The same day Rev. Fr. Paul, our Parish Priest celebrated his Feast with our children in Mahavir Enclave. Children sang Feast day song and welcomed him. Father cut the cake & distributed sweets among our children. Many of our friends and benefactors came and celebrated their children’s birthday with our children.
Benefactors and Visitors:
On 6th July 2014, 20 Africans came to meet our children. They prayed for our children and showed their love. They also brought things which they had collected from different groups.
On 9th July 2014, Dr. Anil Kumar CMO from Government hospital came for the medical health-check up for our children. He examined all the children and gave necessary medical help. Same day he celebrated his son’s birthday and gave food for all our children.
On 3rd July 2014, Dr. Sr. Julia CHF visited our children from Bangalore. She met our children and showed her love & concern to them.
Mrs. Scott who was our benefactor, teacher and friend of Holy Family Asha Niwas, transferred to Bombay. Children and staff gave her farewell on 11th August. She visited us with her daughter. Her friends Mrs. Elizabeth & Ann from USA spent around two hours with all of us. Mrs. Scott served our children more than two years, children missed her very much. Children and staff expressed their love and gratitude for all her love and selfless services which she had rendered to our centre.
Outreach Programme:
On 17th July 2014 other group of students from Loreto School came for outreach program. Director, Sr. Lilly Chirayath gave a small introduction about her centres. Students arranged many games for our girls and taught them few dance steps. Our girls enjoyed with them and learned many things from them.
On 19th July 2014, around 25 Students of class 9th, from Carmel School, Chanakyapuri came for the outreach programme. Sr. Lilly introduced them to our girls. The students were very happy to see our children’s talent of dancing and singing. With the loud applause they encouraged and appreciated our girls. In return they also danced and sang for our girls. They arranged painting competition for them. They took many photos of our girls while they were painting and also appreciated them for their talents. Our girls could learn many things from them so they were happy and thankful to all the students.
On 5th of August 2014, 45 children of Loreto School made their exposure visit to our home as part of their educational syllabus. Students enjoyed their visit and spent time with our children. Sr. Suja gave a brief history about our organization & children. Children from Holy Family Asha Niwas gave them a warm welcome with verities of cultural programme. Student’s visit manifested their affection towards poor and under privileged ones of the society. It also motivated our children in many ways.
On 10th July 2014, Loreto Convent School students from Delhi Cantt came to our centre for their outreach program. Sr. Lilly Chirayath, Director gave a small introduction about our centre and children to them. Student interacted with our children and arranged many games and some activities. They also brought some food items which they collected. Our children enjoyed dancing and singing with them. The same day Fr. John Pudwa visited our children and spent his valuable time talking to our children.
On 21st July 2014, the Provincial, Rev. Sr. Jyoti came to visit our children and sisters. She showed her sisterly love to all of us and gave some good suggestions for the progress and growth of our community. Sisters and children were very happy and grateful for her kind visit.
On 22nd July 2014, fifteen Students from Delhi University and SFS came to visit our centre at Mahavir Enclave. Our Children sang a welcomed song for them. They asked our children to recite poems, tell jokes and stories and also asked the moral of the story. Our children performed well and the students were impressed by their spontaneity. They sang and danced with our children. As a reward Students gave story book to each one of our girls. They also brought snacks and soft drinks for them. Our children were very happy and enjoyed the evening with them.
On 26th July 2014, Sr. Lilly Chirayath called all the poor people from the neighbourhood to pray and celebrate Sr. Leena’s first feast day after her death. Around hundred people came to our centre at Mahavir Enclave. Our Children welcomed them and prayed for the repose of Sr. Leena’s soul. Sr. Lilly arranged tea and snacks for all the poor people gathered. All missed Sr. Leena very much.
On 27th July 2014, few friends of Holy Family Ashaniwas who are working in different offices outside asked Sr. Lilly, Director to take children for the day out. They arranged the vehicle and in the morning Sr. Lilly, Sr. Sanjitha and all the children went to Nehru Planetarium. Children were very excited to spent their time in understanding and learning many more things about planets which they had previously red in the books only. They were happy and grateful to gain lots of knowledge over there. They also went to Pizza hut in District Centre and there they celebrated one of the uncle’s birthday, took many photos, enjoyed having verities of pizzas and cold drinks. In the evening when they reached back to the centre they very tired but happy and satisfied with the trip.
On 6th August, children below 9 years from both the centres had one day outing to Chatterpur, Delhi. It was organized by Mrs. Sunny from JASHNN. Kids enjoyed their trip and Sr. Nirmala and Mrs. Josphine accompanied with them. It was well organized with magic shows and verities of rides and the day was full of entrainments. All of them received gifts and other eatable items.
On 27th July Sr. Lilly Chirayath, Sr. Roslit along with Sr. Suja and Asrita went by our vehicle to Jabalpur (Punjab) to participate the meeting of Superiors and Principals. Same day we celebrated the feast of our dear Provincial Superior Rev.Sr.Jyoti Chf. We had a solemn Mass. His Excellency Bishop Franko Mullakal celebrated the Holy Eucharist for the sisters. After the Mass Bishop gave us an inspiring talk about the family apostolate. We gained lot of knowledge about how to help the people of our Church. Soon after the meeting we all enjoyed delicious food. Next day we came back.
On 11th Aug. Sr. Sanjitha Roshni went back to Ropar we gave her a heartfelt send off and on the same day Sr. Prabha as a new member joined Mahavir Enclave community. We gave her a warm welcome by singing a welcome song.
Independence Day:
On 14th Aug. We all celebrated Mother Mary’s feast and also 68th Independence Day of our country. Sr. Lilly hosted the flag and spoke few words on Independence Day and Mother Mary. Sister distributed sweets and cold drinks among all the children and staff. Our children went to the church along with Sr. Agnes for the Mass. They participated in cultural programme organised by the Catechism groups and Friends of Mary.
Children at Najafgarh also celebrated the Independence Day. The celebration was followed by the Holy Eucharist Mass, children put up a cultural show on the day. Staff conducted group competition among the children. Children participated in the speech, skit, patriotic song and G.K Quiz. They took great interest in the entire programme. Winners were given prizes and all were appreciated for their cooperation and team work. After that they all enjoyed the party. On the same day, they had celebrations in their school too. Congratulations for the winners.
On 18th Sr.Lilly Chirayath went to Kerala for the spiritual preparation and celebration of her Golden Jubilee. Mony Vimal from Asha Niwas accompanied her to Kerala. All the sisters and children gave their best wishes for her golden jubilee celebration and safe journey.
Happy Feast:
On 6th the feast of transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ which also falls on the feast of our loving Sr. Provincial Rev. Sr. Jyoti we wished her a happy feast, children also wished Sr. Sanjitha happy feast in a befitting manner in our community. On 9th Sr. Lilly & Sr. Roslit along with Sr. Suja & Sr. Vinaya went to Burari to participate in the feast Celebration of Rev. Sr. Bhavya the provincial. On that gathering Rev. Sr.Bhavya & Sisters wished Sr. Lilly Chirayath a happy Golden Jubilee.
On 23rd we celebrated the feast of Sr. Roslit with special Mass and prayers and wished her cherry merry Happy Feast. The same day around 12 Students from Carmel School Chanakyapuri studying in class 10th came for the outreach programme. Sr. Agnes gave them a short introduction about our children and centre. The students were very happy to interact with our children. They arranged musical game for our girls. Our children showed their talents by singing and dancing for them. Student enjoyed it and also appreciated their talents. On 30th Jyoti Ajay from Asha Niwas learning Bharatnatyam, presented her annual function NRITYA at Air Force Auditorium at Palam Delhi. Sr.Agnes and Prabha accompanied her to the function.
Onam Celebration:
On 7th September, we participated in the Onam celebration at Infant Jesus Church, Palam and in our centre of Ashaniwas. We prepared special delicious food for the children. Sr. Prabha explained about the festival of Onam. On 8th Sep. we celebrated the birth day of Mother Mary & feast of Sr.Prabha in meaningful manner. Children enjoyed the occasion. The same day one of our girls Mrs. Christina, who got married from our centre, came with her husband to celebrate her birth day. She provided food for her friends in Asha Niwas. The same day one of our married girl Mrs. Riya came with her family to celebrate her daughter’s birth day. On 20th Rev. Fr. Antony SDB made a friendly visit to us.
Golden Jubilee Celebration:
Golden Jubilee of Sr.Lilly Chirayath and Sr. Oliver were celebrated province level, in Vijayamata Church Chiyyarm, in Kerala on 27th September. Rt. Rev. Bishop Raphael Thattil was the main celebrant for the Holy Mass. Big crowed was present for the celebration including Priests and nuns and specially the family members of Sr. Lilly and Sr. Oliver. Bishop gave a beautiful message for them and congratulated both of them.
During the ceremony the crown and lighted candles were given to them. Provincial welcomed both the jubilarien with a beautiful garland. Sr. Lilly’s brother Mr. Baby adorned both the jubilariens with the stole with a golden colour border. Sr. Oliver’s brother gave both of them beautiful bouquet of flowers. The delicious cake was cut by the jubilariens and distributed to all. All sang the song of Hearty Congratulation and wished them with loving kiss. Family members and Friends came to the stage to wish them with gifts for completing their golden 50 years of religious life successfully.
On 5th October her family members celebrated her Jubilee very grandly in YWC hall in Trichur, Kerala. They welcomed Sr.Lilly Chirayath with beautiful rose flowers and garland. Priest, nuns and all her family members gathered in that function. They felicitated her on the stage and also appreciated the charitable work she is doing for so many poor, destitute and street girls.
Family members arranged beautiful cultural items, songs, dances and skit about her life. Sr.Lilly Chirayath thanked the Almighty God for all the blessings she received during these 50 years. She also thanked to all the people who have gathered on that function after that delicious food was served for all.
Raksha Bandan
Raksha Bandon is a celebration of North Indian culture, during which the sister tie a band (rakhi) on her brother’s hand as a sign of her brotherly love and affection. On 10th August, children of Asha Niwas enjoyed tying Rakhis on the hands of all those boys who came to visit them on that day. They brought and exchanged the sweets and gifts. They also prayed for each other.
Other Programme
Our girls of age 13 to 18 years had attended the sixth ‘’ VOICE OF THE CHILDREN ‘’ seminar which was conducted by Don Bosco Team. This is the project which was conducted by Fr. Joseph Arimpoor SDB from 8th to -10th August 2014. This project was divided in to six workshops. This was the last workshop of our children. This seminar led the Children to go back to their past life situation, to reflect the present stay in this organization and their future dreams and helped to know one self.
Our children celebrated the teacher’s day at their school and wished all the teachers with colourful gifts and cultural items. Sisters encouraged the children to respect their teachers and gave gift to them.
11th class students went for their education tour to Uttarakhand state from their school. They had 5 days outing, enjoyed their trip and they learned many things. Some of our children participated in different competitions in their school level. One of them got third prize in science exhibition, two of them received 3rd prize in drawing competition and one got 2nd prize in speech competition. Congratulations and keep it up!!!!!!!!!!
About Holy Family Asha Niwas
Holy Family Asha Niwas is an orphanage for street girls in Delhi: little girls, who are abandoned and run away or children of commercial sex workers wandering in railway stations and streets, eating from dustbins and leftovers from travellers. They are picked up by social workers and are referred to a safe and enriching shelter at Ashaniwas.
In 2001, the Sisters of the Holy Family congregation started to take care of 5 children at Mahavir Enclave, providing them with food, shelter, health care, education, protection and rehabilitation. The number of children in the orphanage has grown steadily. There are altogether 85 girls today accommodated in two camp uses – Mahavir Enclave and Najafgarh Holy Family Ashaniwas.
Holy Family Ashaniwas orphanage is registered in Delhi as a Charitable Organization (#S43701 of 2002). The organization is managed by Sister Lilly Chirayath (Director) with her staff and administered by a Board of Governors. A certified accountant provides administrative, legal and auditing assistance. The revenues come from charitable contributions from generous individuals and the divine providence has not failed us so far.
Ashaniwas needs your support and appreciates your help. You may help us by:-
Volunteer your love, your time and your skills to take care of the children with specific activities, outings, hygiene and health education and giving coaching in English, other subjects and computer work. We also need your help in office work.
Donate in kind or cash to equip our homes, especially our new house at Mahavir Enclave.
Thanks:
Once again we thank each of you for all the support you are providing to make our children happy. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the benefactors & volunteers who help us in shaping their future. Very especially we thank our Mrs. Keran Kelly from US. Our beloved Apostolic Nuncio of Delhi, (Arch Bishop Salvatrore Pinocchio), CNEWA from Kerala, ISAONLUS from Italy, Mr. Jean Paul Parisod from Switzerland, Mr George Messing’s children, Laura Messing and Lukas Messing at Germany (the new sponsor family). Mrs. Florence from France and also all our local Benefactors. We cannot forget our Sponsor families of our children who are giving the finance support. We appreciate and expect your continuous support and prayers in future too. We remember you all in our prayers and may the Almighty God bless you in all your endeavours and bring every success in your life and career.
Sister Lilly Chirayath, Staff and children of Holy Family Ashaniwas, New Delhi.