Starting from 1983

The story of ASHIRVAD has many pleasant chapters. 

One chapter has been our friendships with Gisela and Christiana, which was through the initiative of Pastor Eva Marie Koch of Berlin. On the advice of D. A.K.Tharien, of C.F.Hospital Oddanchtram, Pastor Koch visited ASHIRVAD Child Development and Research Centre in December, 1983 at Chennai on a rainy day, when the street in front of our office had knee deep water due to flooding.

During the brief visit of Pastor Koch, she showed much enthusiasm in what Anna and I we were attempting to do for children for special needs. It was the second month since we started this service.

A few weeks later, we had a letter from Christiane Osburg from Berlin introducing herself and Gisela  Jahner and telling us know about their interest in what we were doing which they heard from Pastor Koch. They wanted the students whom they were teaching to have an introduction to children in India to give them a global perspective on childhood experiences. They shared information with children in their class about our attempt to be involved with children with special needs. to which they showed considerable interest, out of which a small group of 'Friends of ASHIRVAD' was formed with teachers and parents of some children. Since then, Christiane and Gisela would share about ASHIRVAD to every batch of students which lead to years of meaningful association with students. Anna and I visited the school on a few occasions to share more about children and families that we were in touch with at ASHIRVAD.

Christiane moved on a few years back after a short illness which was a painful separation for Gisela. However Gisela continued this involvement even more enthusiastically by getting more parents and children involved in this friendship project. 

They used to meet periodically to make hand crafted materials for sale during Easter and Christmas. Some parents and friends used to be active through out the year to make different decoration materials, for sale at the festival seasons and at the school fest. 

Gisela too has retired now from the school. But she is even more active and enthusiastic to continue this friendship activity. She and her friends were happy to have raised a good sum of money every year through the sale of the hand crafted items and Anna and I have been touched by their generosity and thoughtfulness.

Gisela has often said, that through this friendship circle, they too have gained by having a social forum to meet and share their lives with each other. To her, this was a larger gain.

Thank you Gisela and friends at Berlin. You have blessed us with your love and support.

M.C.Mathew( text anD photo0