The Ayah Project

Erin is a permanent volunteer at SCH, and houses 9 of the most medically fragile kids in her apartment, to get better care. I sent her an email asking how the girls are doing with Nagendram, their ayah, and this was her response:

Hey Nikki,

I think it's going wonderful. The Ayah assigned to them is just a sweetheart and she really loves them. As far as her only taking care of those 2, the thing that happens is if other Ayahs don't show up for work in her room or are pulled out for emergencies at hospitals, and if there are no extra hands available, she has to step in and help with other children at that point. Otherwise, her focus is on Molly and April. The girls are definitely happy but for example, with Molly - unless God personally heals her (and He can), she won't be the one we post about that she is walking and talking. She is still the absolute sweetheart she's always been - lighting up the moment we even so much as look at her. Her spasticity makes repositioning her difficult. Her spasticity caused a muscle pull in her leg a few months ago and because it continues to spasm, it has been difficult for that pull to heal and has been uncomfortable for her. She is on medication for her spasticity but it won't completely stop the spasms. With her muscle pulled, physical therapy was painful for her so that's been tough for Molly lately. I love that her
Ayah, the moment her leg started to swell, she was like a mother hen... bringing it to the attention of the nurses and to me and the physio. She made sure we knew! One problem with other Ayah's is that even though they are told to let us know when there are any issues with their kids, they don't always do it. Maybe they are waiting for us to notice? IDK. But this Ayah hired for Molly and April, she does advocate for her girls! April is standing on the walker and taking steps with it with prompting and she is happy and doesn't freak out with touch like she did when she first came to us. But she doesn't love it either. It's very obvious that she prefers to be sitting on her own rather than being constricted in someone's lap. I think this is her autism but that's just my guess? She still loves music so an ipod helps her to want to sit still in my lap and she is playful when engaged and tickled and likes when we sing to her.

We look forward to you coming back in July! The kids are growing so fast. Please help us spread the word about our need for foster families because in the long run, having the children in smaller, family-like settings is what will help them the most. We are seeing such wonderful things with the kids in my apartment that Cassie is going to move into the apartment upstairs and take the next 8 most fragile kiddos so that we can help more than 8 or 9 at a time.

So that's us in a nutshell =)

Going to run now. Max is awake and about to wake the house if I don't get him!

♥ Erin

I have been thinking about Molly a lot since reading this.... sad that she is in so much pain, although hopeful that having an ayah who really advocates for and cares for her is bringing her comfort. Am thrilled that April continues to progress and work on the skills she is learning. She seems like such a happier little girl and I am positive that the connection she is building with Nagendram is part of that.

When I go back and volunteer, I definitely want to look more into April's special needs. She hasn't been professionally diagnosed. Does she have autism, or are those tendancies more to do with her blindness? Does she have cerebral palsy, or does she have trouble with mobility from being neglected for her first 5 years? I would love to pinpoint her diagnosis to get a better idea of what therapies would work well for her.

We are at 76%. Once we are at 100%, the ayah's salary will be paid until the end of August. Please, please, please share this post and spread the word. I know this is a tough cause to fundraise for- people look at these girls and think 'They won't amount to anything. Why should I send my money there?' It is true that they face more challenges than most kids. It is true that they aren't likely to grow up to become teachers or doctors to better their community. But they will make a difference in other ways- through changing the hearts of those who volunteer with them, through being their beautiful, smiling, and perservering selves. It is up to us to improve their quality of life, and this is the first step in making that happen. Please help us hit 100% of our goal!


One way that you can support this project is by purchasing a blog design through Blogs For A Cause. Part of your purchase will go straight to the Ayah Project, and the other part will go towards helping me save to return to India to work with the kids. If you already have your blog designed by BFAC, consider updating the photos in the header for $10!