Operation Shanti = Peace…in an Oto Shanti (the only oto in Golkulam that does not blare his horn!)

31 October 2010

Today was my first visit to Operation Shanti to meet with its founder…Tracy…who runs a small shelter for 53 street children in a place 20 minutes from where we are staying…a petite lady of Japanese and American origins…with a very big heart…the place is basic but all you need to do is look at the children to know that there is something extraordinary going on there…a far cry from the life that they have left behind…I had only a glimpse into their past…abandoned by their mothers…mothers who had passed away from alcohol abuse or AIDS…some of the children themselves HIV+ left to fend for themselves…mothers who could no longer protect them from their abusive fathers…or mothers just wanting to keep their children safe and off the streets…sadly this is a picture that you will find across the world if you know where to look…and we can only hope that there are more ‘Tracys’ out there!

(Sorry folks! NO pictures as there is a strict no photography policy at Operation Shanti so I hope to add more colour with my stories!)