Foundation pledges to increase support for orphanage in India
A local organization is expanding its support of an orphanage in India that has recently taken in eight children rescued in a baby trafficking ring.
Mohini Singh, chair of the East Meets West Children’s Foundation, recently returned to Kelowna from a trip to India, where she visited the orphanage her group has supported since 2007.
“I went to see the project to make sure everything is going well and all our money is being used well, and they’re doing fantastic work there,” said Singh.
“They are taking care of over 70 children and they are all healthy and happy.”
While in India, Singh heard of a baby trafficking ring that had been busted in the Kolkata area.
After women gave birth, medical staff were telling them their baby had died in childbirth; meanwhile, the babies were being sold, shipped and housed in nursing homes, said Singh.
“What a nasty, horrific crime that is,” she said.
The police found 20 children at one nursing home, and of those 20, eight were taken to the orphanage supported by the East Meets West Children’s Foundation in Kolkata.
“One of the kids was so small and malnourished I was scared to touch him,” said Singh.
“All I can say is I am so glad we’re able to help these children. I am so glad we were able to save their lives and I am so glad we’re giving them a chance at life.”
The goal will be to try and either reunite the babies with their parents or adopt them out.
“It’s pretty appalling to even see these kinds of things happening around the world,” said Raghwa Gopal, a director of the East Meets West Children’s Foundation.
“I don’t understand why people do this, but absolutely no hesitation, no questions asked, we will be supporting as many kids as we can.”
The foundation is now waiting to hear back from the orphanage with an official request of what it needs.
“We already have the money in place, we’re just waiting for them to tell us what they need,” said Mike Hill, a director with the East Meets West Children’s Foundation.
“Whatever they need, we’re going to give them that.”
The foundation also supports a daycare in Krishna Nagar, Delhi, for children of slum dwellers, along with children in need in Kelowna, through the Starbright Children’s Development Centre.
“We feel we’re a global village, and we basically want to help children all over the world,” said Hill.
They are taking care of over 70 children and they are all healthy and happy. East Meets West Children’s Foundation chair Mohini Singh