Travelling to India Again

再次出發到印度！今次會進發更多新地區。出發前想像著鄉村的情況，婦女的卑微，孩童的需要，為未認識的人，流起眼淚。然而在心靈中，在人性的感情中，他們不遙遠。他們的需要，他們的寒酸，刺痛我的心！

翻看舊照片，溫習著他們的需要，預備上路。在心靈中，在禱告裡，在我的心思意念中，想念他們。

I am visiting India again! This time I will be travelling to new places. Before I depart, I cried upon thinking of the conditions of the village, the lowly status of the women, and the needs of the children. They have never been far from my thoughts and feelings. Their needs and poverty cuts my heart! Looking at these old photos, recalling their needs, helped me to prepare for this journey. In my spirit and in prayers, I can’t help but to think of them.

Words & Photos: Violin Chan
English Translation: Joe Lee

Family

We met a deeply impoverished family in Rajasthan, India. The parents were gone looking for work opportunities. The elder brother was left paralyzed due to an accident.  The younger sisters had to take care of everything at home such cooking and washing. The whole family resided in a makeshift shelter and the children had no opportunity to go to school. What little possessions that they had were mostly found from other’s garbage. They were dirty and dressed in rags.

Despite all of these conditions, they still cared and looked after each other as family.  When I gave them food, the sisters did not rush to take for themselves but first delivered to their brother’s mouth. The brother mustered all his strength to get up and express his gratitude to us.

一個貧困的家庭，父母都外出找機會，大哥因為意外，只能整天躺卧，幼小的妹妹要煮食、洗濯。沒有像樣的住所，沒有正常學習的機會；別人棄置的廢物都被利用。他們骯髒，他們衣衫襤褸，他們家徒連四壁也沒有，但他們仍有兄弟姊妹之情及相依為命的心。當我送上食物，他們沒有爭相搶食，卻先送到哥哥口中；而躺著的哥哥卻竟掙扎起來要道謝！

Words & Photos: Violin Chan
English Translation: Joe Lee
Rajasthan, India. January 13, 2016

The All New 2016 Let the Children Smile Calendar

選了十三張不同地方孩子的相片，預備2016年「讓孩子繼續笑」月曆設計。謝謝熱心人士及金港酒店用品廠的贊助和支持，，免費 印製月曆，使我們繼續為光愛國際慈惠服務籌款。

對許多購買月曆的支持者，相中孩子的笑容和活動，或許只給你一個好印象；對我而言，每個孩子說著不同的故事，我走近過他們，多數不能直接溝通，因 有言語阻隔，但我有拉過他們的手，給他們糖果，向他們笑，與他們玩玩……

在海邊碰上這群去洗衣的孩子，大的害羞，都躲在鏡頭外，小的起初有點陌生，後來也不怕，起初對我有點好奇，後來自顧自玩水、洗衣。他們要洗的衣服 有一大堆，但他們游一會兒，玩一會兒，洗衣一會兒，好不開心。

鄉村的孩子，多一份純真。

We chose 13 photos which were taken from different places for the printing of 2016 Calender. Thank you for the individual and corporate sponsors (Gold Harbour Factory). Their supports enable us to raise funds for the Light and Love Home Worldwide Charity Services.

When you buy the calendar to support, the smiles of the children that you'll see every month are beautiful to look at. Yet to me, every photo brings me back memory. I met them one by one in different corners of the world. I tried to “talk” to them, played with them or gave them sweets.

I took this photo besides a lake in Rajasthan. The older children were shy before the camera. The younger ones were hesitate, but after getting candies from me, they became more natural and free. They continued their washing, playing in the water and swimming. They enjoyed themselves though there were a lot to wash.

I always feel that children in the countryside are more simple and purer.

Words & Photos: Violin Chan