I received a very pleasant surprise in the mail today!
I received a letter from Asmoni, the 7-year old little girl from India that I am sponsoring through Children International!!
Her letter was handwritten in pencil, written in Indian (Bengali?)- it has erase marks and delicately-formed symbols that represent her language. I couldn't begin to translate it myself, as it doesn't use the typical symbols that many languages use for letters.
Thankfully it has been translated into English!!
"Dear Ms. Epperson
I welcome you to the sponsorship programme. I go to school chatting and enjoying time with my friends. I hope you all are well . We are all fine. I study in grade 3 and I like to read Bengali books. I love my brother. I love to eat meat. I like to dance when I listen to songs. I love red colour. My mother tells me stories. I am very happy to know that you are my new sponsor friend. I thank you for it. I send you my love and regards.
Yours lovingly
Asmoni Khatun"
These two surveys were on the back-side of her letter:
I also received a (separate) heartfelt letter from the director of the local agency where Asmoni receives her benefit from. There are 24,000 children alone in the Sahay agency. Wow.
It absolutely amazes me how a piece of paper can carry with it so many happy dreams- and through such a distance! It tickles me "pink" to know that this very same piece of paper has been physically placed in her hands - and now is in mine. From Kolkata to Flagstaff. Amazing.
I know the human race has been exchanging written correspondance for centuries... I will say, though, this has been one of the most impacting letters I've ever received. It's hit me, or is starting to, that my monthly donations are truly REACHING someone. Someone who loves to dance and read. Someone who loves red. Someone who will now have access to better education, medicine, and a friend in America.
Most people would say how lucky she is -- Really, though, how lucky I am!
2 comments:
How special!I remember having the same feeling when I got mail from a little girl in Guatemala in an orphanage I worked in for a summer.
I wonder if she writes in Hindi? My roommate is indian but she doesn't write or read Hindi, otherwise I'd ask.
you are too sweet, of course I'll be your workout buddy! the most ironic part of my fat molly story is the kid who wrote it is a rather chubby little muffin himself! Oh man that photo is so old. and from a day when I was all dirty from working at camp. haha. and yes! I do facebook, how do I find you? I don't think I am searchable, haha.
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