Angels From the Street
Nicco Park Trip
This year I had emailed Sister Lucy and Sister Sini of St. Teresa’s School in Calcutta and told them I wanted to take the Angels from The Street children to a fun park called Nicco Park. I told them that I wanted to give these children a day they NEVER would forget, with a bus ride, ice cream, lunch, fun at the park on all the rides, and a new gift when we returned back to the school. I told her I wanted no short cuts and I wanted the money well spent but first I wanted it to be fun. . . I honestly think that Sister Lucy thought I was crazy. She wrote back and said “Mr. Ray this will cost a lot of money!” I said to just go forward with everything and arrange the day.
With that said, upon my arrival in Calcutta in Late November, the arrangements had been made for November 24th. . . I must tell you the day went perfect. The Sisters and School Staff made sure all the children were dressed very nice with pretty white bow’s in their hair and in their school uniforms before we left the school.
We took about 40 children to the park. They had never been to such a place in their life.
When we arrived at the park on the big bus the kids eyes were wide open looking at everything not knowing what to expect. We got our tickets and a wristband to put on and then walked into the amusement area.
The first ride was a small train ride around the park. The kids loved it. Then we went to the merry go round where the kids all sat on the horses. They thought it was great but the ride had not started. They did not know it would move. When the horses started to go up and down the kids were afraid. Then after a minute or two they understood it was the ride itself. I’m telling you the kid’s smiles were so big.
From that point on, the kids ran to each ride and could not wait to get on the next one. The Sisters and I had so much fun watching them have fun. The Children had a great lunch in the middle of the day and even had a birthday cake for one of the children bought by young adults we did not know.
When the day ended we went back to St Teresa School on the big bus. The kids were quiet as they were all worn out from the fun. We arrived at the school around 4 PM and the Principal, Sister Lucy, had arranged to give the children a new school bag and a nice apple to go home with.
Remember many of these children live under a bridge each night. The only schooling they receive is with our program each day in the afternoon. It was a day of happiness I will never forget.
A little girl named Anjali who lives near Toronto, Canada funded this entire trip. It was her First Holy Communion on May 8, 2010 and she sent her entire gift money to our charity “Children are Angels from Heaven” to bring to India to help these poor children. There were no restrictions for the money to be used just that it was used to benefit poor children.
I could not think of a better way to celebrate Anjali’s special day than making 40 very poor children so very happy for the day. “Thank You Anjali”.
It was a day people are still talking about. The Sisters loved it, the children loved it, their teacher loved it, and I loved it. The photos will tell the entire story!
