Huntly event at the Gordon Arms to help the slum children of Goa in India
A brief glance around a refuge for slum children turned into an emotional bond that’s now lasted a decade.
Tanya Cox from Huntly is a trustee at the Shishu Bhavan day centre in the Indian city of Goa whose mission is to save its young charges from a life of begging or worse. A fundraising event has been organised next month to support its work.
Tanya was on holiday when a chance encounter led to her being shown the centre.
She recalled: “I was sat in a café with my mum and foster sister when we got into conversation with a group at the next table.
“Some of them were English and they said they were volunteering nearby at a day centre for slum children.
“We received an invitation to go have a look-around but only ever intended to put our heads round the door for 15 minutes or so. In the end we loved it so much that we spent more than two hours there.
“It’s just a wonderful place with a wonderful atmosphere.”
The day centre is in a part of Goa that lies beyond the tourist destination’s famous beaches and luxury hotel complexes.
Its youngsters are aged between three and six, with their numbers capped at a maximum of 50. They are fed each lunchtime and taught their letters and numbers.
The centre also works to secure the £90 annual sponsorship needed so each can go on to attend a mainstream school.
Her first visit made a huge impression on Tanya, who is in a wheelchair due to being born with spina bifida. Over the past decade she has returned many times, flying out to Goa once or twice every year.
Tanya, who recently retired from the Huntly branch of Asda, said: “These children have nothing. That struck a chord with me because, in 1978, our family house in Huntly caught fire and we lost everything.
“And the children are so excited to see you and to show you the work they’ve been doing and the pictures they’ve been drawing.
“The day centre gives them a chance in life. It gives them an opportunity to learn how to read and write, to go to school, to gain an apprenticeship, to go to college, to be what they want to be.”
An event at the Seaforth Cub in Elgin earlier this month raised £813 for Friends of Slum Children India, the charity which runs the Shishu Bhavan day centre.
The fundraising dance at the Gordon Arms Hotel in Huntly will taking place on Saturday, October 5, from 8pm until late.
Music will be provided The Baldy Holly Band who play hits from the 1950s and 60s and are making their debut in the town.
Tickets are £15. Contact Tanya on 07542 019080 to order them in advance.
