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| An SOS Children's Village in India prepares for Diwali |
August 31, 2011: The holiday Diwali is as crucial to Hindus around the world as Christmas is to Christians. In 2011 Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, begins on October 26. The five-day festival marks the victory of light over darkness.
During the holiday Hindu families illuminate their homes with diyas, small decorative clay lanterns that come in all colors and designs.
Children are mesmerized by the holiday. Boys and girls living in 40 SOS Children’s Villages in India have witnessed so much tragedy, loss, and hardship in their short lives. Most never had the means to celebrate Diwali. At SOS they experience the holiday as if for the first time.
Last year SOS mothers at SOS-Pondicherry, along India’s southeast coast, began preparing for Diwali a week ahead of time. Children watched in great anticipation as moms cleaned house from top to bottom. Then came one of the best parts of Diwali—the food.
Giving a Child a Joyous Diwali
Pastries are a key element of Diwali. After conferring with the children, SOS mothers in Pondicherry made five different kinds: coconut burfi, laddu, gulabjamun, rava laddu, and rasgulla. Dividing the work, some mothers prepared the dough, some mixed dry fruits, some did the frying, and others the garnishing.
"Mama made my favorite sweets, coconut burfi and rasgulla. Most of us started eating them even before they were ready," said nine-year-old Shobha, laughing.
Next came the shopping. Children accompanied their mothers to purchase new clothes, bed covers, and tablecloths. "The markets had a new look on Diwali,” said SOS mother Manjula. “With full lights and decorations the shops were dazzling. For children, just going to the market was a new experience in itself."
SOS mother Meenakshi added to the magic of the celebrations in her own way. She painted mehandi (intricate henna-made designs) on the children’s hands.
In the evening the village sparkled with candles and lights. Some of the kids gave their moms gifts of handmade cards and dolls. Families then set off fire crackers, a special delight to the children.
Twenty million children in India have lost one or both parents. Make your own Diwali brighter by bringing light to a child this Diwali. To learn more, go to http://www.sos-india.org/diwali-diyas.