A week ago, I visited an organization called Manukhta Di Sewa Society (MDSS), which translates to “The Service of Mankind”. I shared my experience on Facebook and Instagram, and offered to serve as a conduit for those wishing to assist them by making a donation.
Before I share how much money we were able to collect and where it was used, I would like to share some more stories I heard about the people I met while there, so that all those who donated can understand how significant their contributions were, regardless of the amount.
First, I listened to the story of Sahibjot, who is in the first grade. I learned her father was addicted to narcotics, and ended up getting her mother addicted as well. Her father ended up in jail, and Sahibjot and her mother ended up leaving their village and on the streets.
As is the case with many addicts, Sahibjot’s mother was willing to do whatever it took to get her next fix. Sahibjot would accompany her when she went to purchase her drugs, and soon the dealers started inquiring about how much money it would take for her mother to sell her to them.
Despite her addiction, Sahibjot’s mother realized what was happening. Having heard about MDSS, she contacted them and took up residence in their facility with Sahibjot. Unfortunately, her mother decided she didn’t want to stay, but left Sahibjot in their care. MDSS is now taking care of Sahibjot’s education.
I shudder to think what would have happened if her mother had not contacted them.
Next, I met Simla Devi Mata. I was told she came from an extremely wealthy family, and was very educated. She did all of the accounting for her husband’s family business, and was called upon to assist with accounting by everyone within the village and surrounding areas.
Simla Devi Mata and her husband had no children. After his death and the death of her in-laws, she was left alone, and soon developed a mental illness. She locked all of the doors to her home except one, from which she would be able to monitor who came to see her.
She placed herself on a bed, where she remained for 13-14 years. When they rescued her, she was surrounded by her own excrement and not having showered for over a decade, was covered in filth. Her land and property had been seized by her family, and she had been left with nothing.
Simla Devi Mata spends her days within the MDSS complex. Although she is doing much better, she still thinks her husband is away at one of their farms and will return home soon.
Next, I met a little boy with a mischievous smile named Raj Kumar. After the death of his parents, he and his brother were left to fend for themselves. Raj Kumar is a kind and trusting soul, and this was taken advantage of by people. They would use him to play pranks on others (letting air out of tires, damaging property), and the eager to please little boy would do as instructed.
When he got caught, he would be beaten badly.
When MDSS found him, he had a severe head wound which was infected with maggots, and his brother had a damaged eye. Both are now with MDSS and being treated for their wounds, and also attend the school on site.
Last but certainly not least, I had another opportunity to meet Babu Gopal Singh and hear his story from his own mouth. He asked me what I was writing (I was taking notes as we spoke), and when I told him I was going to write about him, his already beaming smile grew even brighter
When I told him it would be in English and people in Canada would read it, he beamed with joy. When I showed him the previous picture I had posted of him and all the comments and likes he received, he couldn’t stop staring at it and grinning, tapping the screen to see it again when it would black out.
Now, to your contributions. In total, $5575 CAD was received, which, when converted using today’s exchange rate, equates to just over 330,000 Indian Rupees (INR). We asked the staff at MDSS where this was best used, and were asked to pay some outstanding hospital bills.
I would like to thank each and every one of you who donated and shared what I wrote. Your contributions have made a significant impact on people like those I’ve mentioned above. I consider myself blessed to have had the privilege to visit this wonderful organization twice during this trip, and that was made possible by you.
From the bottom of my heart – thank you.
As I left, I ran into Bapu Gopal Singh again, and he eagerly asked me if I had written about him yet. I promised him I would do it as soon as I got home, and he smiled, shook my hand and gave me a big hug.
If any of you travel to Punjab anytime soon, I highly suggest visiting Manukhta Di Sewa Society so you too can experience what I did. I also ask that if you happen to run into Bapu Gopal Singh when you visit, you show him this post so he knows I fulfilled my promise to him.
