Meeting of adopted children and families

September 2000


At Mullsjo in Sweden, during a pleasant summer week - end - 4th and 5th August 2000, - 30 families gathered to meet Nomita Chandy and Shanthi Chacko. The families had one thing in common - they had all adopted children from Ashraya. The adoptees ranged in ages from 20 yrs. to 2 years and it was a truly happy get – together.

What was an encouraging experience was that they all seemed well adjusted individuals, though the older ones had questions concerning their backgrounds, birth - mothers etc. A few of the older adoptees were happy with whatever information they already had but some showed greater interest in knowing a few more details . The session with the youth was the highlight of the week - end. Their views on the film of an adoptee looking for his roots were also interesting because most of them felt that it was rather insensitive to have a camera crew follow you at a very emotional re-union.

For Nomita and Shanthi it was a time of remembrances also. Seeing the children brought back memories of battles fought on their behalf, of frustrations and delays ; but also the triumphs and joys of tasks finished and happy families.
Elisabet Johansson one of the adoptive parents was the motivating force, and the months of planning and hard work resulted in a well arranged meeting.

For the first night was arranged a Indo-Swedish dinner and later the parents showed videos of their visit to Ashraya and Bangalore. The next day there were sessions with the youth and also separate ones with individual families. What was sent back to Ashraya as a memento was a large tablecloth with signatures and names of all those who had been present.

Nomita and Shanthi are grateful to Elisabet and all the other parents for having made it possible for them to meet the families in a beautiful setting.

Shanthi Chacko.