Hi Everyone,
I finally found time to sit at my computer and write a few short stories highlighting my December, 1999 trip to Calcutta, India.
This trip was a great success! Through our efforts and donations, we touched many children’s hearts. There were many donations of clothes, shoes, toys, and candy. Three big drums wee filled and shipped by air to Calcutta (in addition to the two large bags of luggage I brought over on my flight!). All donations arrived in Calcutta — safe and sound! I personally had the honor of sorting all the donations with friends in Calcutta and giving them to the children. I could write a book on how happy the Children were!
As I always say — there is no crime for being born, and I will continue to help thse children as best I can until the day I die.
I would like to thank each and every one of you for your continued support and the love you extend to the children. It is very needed and appreciated.
My plan this year is to return to Calcutta in November 2000. The volunteers helping me here in America to gather donations are already collecting things for this trip. If anyone has any questions or would like to talk to me or see some photos, please call me at 1-781-483-1002. (But, I must warn you — I love to talk about these beautiful children and the people who care for them!)
One final point — We are now proud parents of three children — Joanna (10), Melissa (6) and Raymond (2) — all from Calcutta. Raymond came home in Janary 1999. He has special needs, but is doing remarkably well. He is a beautiful baby and fits right into our family! All of my children share IMH as their first home and we are VERY proud of that. The staff at SICW, who we are also very grateful to, also helped my oldest girl come home to us.
One thing about adoption that I think every adopted family will agree on —
Every adoption has its own special story!
Thanks again for your continued support!
Ray O’Brien (Uncle)
While in Calcutta …
some of the places I visited are listed below (click on the link on the left to read more about them):
International Mission of Hope (IMH)
Society of Indian Children’s Welfare (SICW)
Missionaries of Charity
Loreto Day School
Adarsha Hindi Vidyalaya School (AHV School)
St. Vincent’s Hom
Indian Society for Sponsorship and Adoption (ISS&A)
St. Paul’s School
Salvation Army Girls Home