Submitted by Rajai Atalla
Last week I summarized the evolution of the connection between Holy Wisdom and Sarthi. In 2013, when Holy Wisdom adopted Sarthi as part of its overseas mission, we had just been asked for additional support for a 5-year-old who had been abandoned by his parents who went their separate ways. We were asked for an additional $480 to support him for one year.
To make a gift to Sarthi, visit the giving page on our website https://holywisdommonastery.org/support/donate-today/ and select “SARTHI” on the designation drop-down menu. Thank you!
Soon after that they began a program to prepare the boys, as they got older, to be on their own after they finish school. At that time Akshay, whose situation had led our son Ian to go to Patna and meet Tarkeshwar, was about 14 years old. And today he would be in his early 20s.
We had asked them about programs for girls. They are not allowed to take girls out of the government schools, but they started special programs for adolescent girls to teach them about feminine hygiene and sexuality. I know from some of the pictures we received, a few women volunteers were working with Tarkeshwar in this area.
Beyond the work with the boys and girls, Tarkeshwar and his associates have initiated a program focusing on advocating for Childrens’ rights with the police department in Patna and with the government agencies that deal with the children.
Our continuing support has encouraged them to expand the scope of their work. Early on, our son Ian was the primary conduit for our communication with Tarkeshwar, via telephone and email. Then Janet Neurauter and Amy Ryan took up the task via email. Sister Mary David also sent a letter to Tarkeshwar. More recently I have been in direct contact with him. Sometime in the not-too-distant future I hope to connect with him on Zoom to receive more information about their work and their plans for continued service to young children in need.
Continued support from Holy Wisdom is greatly appreciated.