Sarath is a ten-year-old boy born on October 12, 2003. At 9 months old, on July 12, 2004 he was found abandoned at a bus stand in Andhra Pradesh by a local woman. The woman brought Sarath to her house to take care of him as her own, but her husband refused and released him to a government orphanage. A year later, Sarath was brought to Sarah’s Covenant Home, an orphanage for abandoned children. This orphanage is the orphanage that I have worked at for the past month in India.
Sarath is not the typical orphan, and Sarah’s Covenant Home is not the typical orphanage. The orphanage houses abandoned children with special needs. Sarath is one of those children; he has cerebral palsy and is also mentally disabled. He has very limited mobility and zero verbal communication skills, but is a boy full of so much joy!
When I first met Sarath, he was terrified of me. I would try to play with him and he would scream. Simply put, he did not enjoy my presence. His reaction to me made it hard for me to want to be there. I felt unequipped to help him. I had no training and zero experience working with special needs children, specifically in a third world country. However, as the first week passed, he began to warm up to me. Early on, I realized that Sarath was ticklish on his back and it was the tickling that broke the ice! He no longer was scared of me, but was ecstatic to see me each day that I came to his room. We had finally become friends! I didn’t need any specific training or in depth knowledge of his disability, I just needed to treat him like a typical 10-year-old boy.
The progression of our relationship has been the most encouraging aspect of this month. Now, when I walk into his room, Sarath will scoot off his bed, crawl over to me, and try and climb my legs. He has become my pal. He is my ministry. Showing him love, even during the hardest days has been the most rewarding experience. It has been the first time on the race that I feel as if I am tangibly making a difference in someone’s life. As if my presence is making him feel important, that his life matters. I want Sarath and all the children of Sarah’s Covenant Home to realize that they are unique, that they have a purpose, and that they are loved.
Before I left for the race, I got a tattoo on my left forearm saying, “Go. Love.” My month in India has truly shown me what it means to do just that, to go and to love. To love Sarath on the days that he smells and is sick and screaming. To go to ministry when I would rather be alone in my room reading. To love without borders. It’s a hard lesson to learn and one that is continuous but I am so very thankful I met this little boy named Sarath. He has taught me more about life, love, and myself then he will ever know.
A few fun facts about Sarath:
He loves music, specifically Kelly Clarkson and Eli Young Band.
He enjoys the beach, eating sand, and boat rides.
He is an outdoorsman.
He hates listening to Coldplay or Justin Bieber.
He enjoys people singing and dancing with him.
He LOVES playing with Styrofoam.
He is a ladies man.
He is just an all around good ole boy.
Sarath and I on my second day at Sarah's Covenant Home.
What a stud.
The sandman.
One of our last days together!
