asha niketan chennai -...
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As most parents of children with intellectual
disabilities, Mr. Barathan was concerned about the
future wellbeing of his son Ramesh. While seeking
to establish a home, where Ramesh and other young
adults could receive loving care and live up to their
full potentials, Mr. Barathan revealed his hopes to
Fr. Pierre Ceyrac, a French Jesuit living in Tamil
Nadu. Fr. Ceyrac helped Mr. Barathan to connect
with Jean Vanier, and the two visionaries developed
a deep and lasting bond. Jean shared about the
spirituality and mission of L’Arche, and with his
support, Mr. Barathan remained enthusiastic and
dedicated. On February 25, 1975, Asha Niketan
Chennai became the third L’Arche community to be
founded in India. Ramesh, Jayakumar, Shankar
“Mama”, and Sundaram were welcomed as the first
Core Members, and Marielle Robitaille served as
the first Community Leader. Their home was a
modest rented house on East Coast Road, and the
community became a simple sign of hope for the
neighborhood and the world. Over four decades
have passed; while the community has grown and
changed in many ways, members of Asha Niketan
Chennai continue to live out the mission of
L’Arche.
While growing together in community, we are so
thankful to all our sister communities and L’Arche
International for holding us in prayer and
contributing to fundraising efforts after Cyclone
Vardah caused severe damage in December. We
have been rebuilding over the summer and will
continue to rebuild before the next monsoon season.
We are extremely grateful to Mrs. Usha
Venkataraghavan and everyone committed to
Friends of Asha Niketan (USA) for their constant
financial support. These generous donors make it
possible to preserve our way of life and assist all
our community members with their various needs.
Fritz & Vincent (L’Arche GWDC)
hosted an art show & donated all proceeds
to our community.
August 2017
ASHA NIKETAN CHENNAI
Photo by Lauren Palmer
L’Arche communities throughout the world are united by a common Identity Statement and
Mission. For this newsletter, we have included excerpts and themes to highlight our core values
and practices within L’Arche. Thank you for all the support you offer our community.
Our Founding Story L’Arche International
Thank
You!
Friends of Asha Niketan (USA)
நன்றி
Priya attended L’Arche’s Federation Assembly in
Belfast, Ireland June 21-26. Members of 151
L’Arche communities were present from 37
different countries! Together everyone reflected on
common gifts that we share in L’Arche including:
WELCOME, UNITY, LOVE, TRUST, TRUTH,
TOGETHERNESS, and HOPE.
Seeralan and Sakthivel created artwork to send
along with Priya for the Federation Assembly.
Seeralan’s painting represents UNITY and
Sakthivel’s drawing symbolizes DIVERSITY.
While living with their families, Seeralan and
Sakthivel join us on weekdays to attend the
Development Centre and community activities.
Before attending the Federation Assembly, Priya
and Amit (Asha Niketan Asansol) were invited to
stay with L’Arche Bognor Regis in England. Priya
felt very touched by the hospitality she received.
She especially enjoyed sharing stories with
everyone during mealtimes.
Rani has served as Asha Niketan Chennai’s
accountant for 20 years. Her son Surya first visited
our community as a boy. In 2015-2017, Surya
joined Asha Niketan Bangalore as an assistant, and
in August 2017, he was welcomed to serve as an
Assistant in L’Arche Australia for one year. Before
leaving, Surya volunteered in our community for
three weeks. Everyone appreciated his positivity
and willingness to help wherever he was needed.
“We are people, with and without intellectual disabilities,
sharing life in communities belonging to an International Federation.”
Jayaseelan & Umashankar
offer us Faith and Hope.
Sangeetha & Assiya
offer us Beauty and Welcome.
Seeralan & Manikandan
offer us Joy and Belonging.
Selvaraj, Sathyaseelan, & Vengadesh
offer us Honor, Tenderness, and Service.
Asha Niketan Chennai exists as both an NGO and a
faith community. As an NGO, we ensure our
community members with intellectual disabilities
(Core Members) receive professional care with their
unique needs. Core Members benefit from the
support of Assistants with their finances, hygiene,
medical needs, and achieving goals. As a faith
community, Core Members and Assistants live
together, share meals, foster a home life, and pray
together daily. We realize we rely upon God and
the compassion of many generous donors, and we
pray in thanksgiving for all the love and support we
receive. We are always touched when friends and
families reach out and ask us to hold them in prayer.
Every morning, in addition to helping with cleaning
needs within her home, Pachammal always creates
a new rangoli rice design on the prayer room floor
at Asha Jothi.
“Mutual relationships and trust in God are
at the heart of our journey together.”
Peter, Priya, Lalitha, and Sasikala
during their birthday celebration
Anbu welcoming Mr. Tewari (National
Formation Coordinator) for an extended visit
Bharathi & Najim welcoming a guest for dinner
Celebrations are so important in our community;
they are always occasions of rejoicing and unity. In
his inspirational book Community and Growth, Jean
Vanier expresses, “Celebration is a moment of
wonder when the joy of the body and senses are
linked to the joy of the spirit.” Over the years, we
have developed traditions to honor our community
members and everyone who comes to share life
with us.
WELCOMES
One of our greatest gifts in Asha Niketan Chennai is
that we welcome well. Whether it is someone new
to our community, or more often a guest or meal
sponsor, we always try to make everyone who joins
us feel welcome. It is our custom to offer guests
and new members flowers from our garden.
Sometimes we also create colorful rangoli and rice
kolam designs and have prayerful welcome
celebrations.
BIRTHDAYS
So much could be expressed about our birthday
celebrations. They are delightful! We sing and
pray, those who are celebrated receive blessings and
gifts, we dance, and there is always cake and extra
sweets. We try to affirm the sacred value of each
person while sharing how much we appreciate their
gifts.
FAREWELLS (THANKSGIVINGS)
It is not often that we need to express farewell to
community members. Core Members seldom move
to new homes, and Assistants make commitments
every year as to how long they intend to remain
with community. When someone does leave, it can
be a sad time, yet we also regard farewells as
occasions to express our gratitude and well wishes.
“We celebrate the unique value of every person
and recognize our need of one another.”
Ramesh and Marie painting gift paper in the
Development Centre and Srinivasan and
Sibasish planting a tree in our Garden
Community members working together in our
Handicraft Workshop to create a papier mâché
basket
Rohit planting flowers outside the office
Co
mmunity basket.
In June and July, Assistants participated in two
formations focused on recognizing and sharing the
gifts of Core Members. For the first formation,
everyone discussed moments of bonding with Core
Members. As Santhanayagi described a time when
Ramesh offered her consolation, and when
Sangeetha shared a joyful experience she had with
Franci, everyone resonated with their sharing. It
was a unifying experience to reflect on our way of
life and how the Core Members have touched our
hearts. For the second formation, we took turns
announcing specific gifts we recognize in the Core
Members and wrote them down in a large heart.
Marie’s brother Jean came to visit our community
for one week in July. While with us, he surprised
everyone with his incredible artistic abilities. In
addition to creating a watercolor painting of Jean
Vanier for our office, Jean used chalk to draw
portraits of Veeran, Franci, Pachammal, Lloyd, and
Bala on the walls of Asha Jothi. To take the time to
draw a person’s portrait is a beautiful way to honor
someone and emphasize her or his sacred value.
“Make known the gifts of people who have intellectual disabilities,
revealed through mutually transforming relationships.”
This photo was taken as Franci and Sibasish
enjoyed a visit to the beach last year. Franci has had
significant health concerns in recent months. We
have been doing everything possible to support her
and ensure she receives the medical care she needs.
It has been a moving experience to join with her in
the healing process. When Franci smiles, she brings
joy to us all.
This photo is of Shuib (Asha Niketan Bangalore)
and Marie (our International Volunteer from
France). Marie was asked if she was willing to
support Asha Niketan Bangalore for two weeks in
April, and she accepted the request with an open
heart. As we reflect on the changing needs of our
members, sometimes Asha Niketan communities
need to reach out to additional communities in
solidarity.
As the eldest member of our community, Peter
D’Cruz (age 74) has remained remarkably healthy
throughout his life. Having joined this community
in 1976, one year after it was founded, Peter has a
lot of wisdom and shares many memories with us.
In July, Peter needed to have a second surgery to
treat his eyes for cataracts. He remained calm and
placed his full trust in God. This is a photo of Peter
and James before they attended Mass on a Sunday.
As our Core Members continue to age, we realize
the need to learn as much as we can to be able to
respond to their needs. Before joining Asha
Niketan Chennai in 2016, Santhanaygi studied
Special Education and earned her degree. With
experience an assistant for the past seven years,
Nadhiya continues to live in our community while
studying Special Education.
“Foster an environment in community that
responds to the changing needs of our members while
being faithful to the core values of our founding story.”
Amudha has always wanted to visit a L’Arche
community in another country for an extended
period. In April 2017, she was accepted for a three-
month Solidarity Exchange with L’Arche Canada.
(When Amudha was the Community Leader of Asha
Niketan Chennai, she welcomed Nancy and Mary
Bee as volunteers. Now Nancy is a member of
L’Arche Arnprior and Mary Bee is a member of
L’Arche London. Amudha also worked with
Manonmani before Manonmani moved to L’Arche
Arnprior. While on retreat in France, Amudha met
Jeannette, the community Leader of L’Arche
Arnprior, and Jeannette extended the invitation to
come stay with her community.) While appreciating
these wonderful relationships, Amudha traveled to
Canada to experience community life in two
communities on the other side of the world.
In L’Arche Arnprior and L’Arche London,
Amudha was welcomed by everyone, and she felt
moved as the Core Members helped her to adjust.
Often after meals, Amudha and Core Members
would wash dishes together. Amudha particularly
enjoyed prayer times within both communities and
opportunities to go on group outings.
Amudha participated in formations with the
Assistants and helped everyone to prepare for
celebrations. She also attended the day program
where Core Members of L’Arche London work on
weekdays, and she learned some new handicrafts.
When Amudha returned to Asha Niketan Chennai
in July, she shared with everyone what a peaceful
and uplifting experience she had. “It was like I was
welcomed to a second family,” Amudha often
commented.
“Engage in our diverse cultures,
working together toward a more human society.”
What a year it has been! When I arrived at Asha
Niketan Chennai in November, I was welcomed
with open arms. As I received guidance and care, it
became possible to fit in and appreciate the positive
attitudes that our Core Members share with us daily.
When I look back at this volunteer commitment, I
can recall some challenges (adapting to the food,
dealing with the heat waves, struggling with
language, Franci being diagnosed with dengue fever
and typhoid, Kopika leaving the community, Gopi
having seizures, and the cyclone in December).
Even with these struggles, the main thing I realize is
how fortunate I am to have experienced so much
joy. These months have been filled with tenderness,
celebration, and love. I want to thank every Core
Member who has welcomed me as a sister.
Thank you Franci for your sincere smile that melts
my heart and makes the world around us look
brighter.
Thank you Lloyd for your unique dance moves and
for always caring for me like a big brother.
Thank you Ramesh for your irresistible charm and
funny words that make us forget about any tension.
Thank you Seeralan for your amazing and really
entertaining talent as a singer and guitar player.
Thank you Pachammal for looking after me like a
big sister that I can tease, hug, laugh with, and ask
for help.
Thank you Vengadesh for being willing to
contribute at any time and for your strong sense of
responsibilities.
Thank you Sathyaseelan for creating bonds
through your unique way of communicating.
Thank you Veeran for the tenderness and the care
we can see in your sweet eyes.
Thank you Umashankar for the fatherly way you
are having discussions with Sathyaseelan.
Thank you Bala for your warmth and slow-motion
greetings every morning.
Thank you Gopi for your laughter, caused by any
attempt at tickling, and your great singing skills.
Thank you Assiya for accepting me as your
roommate.
Thank you Rohit for your dancing and sense of
drama that always brings laughter in the room.
Thank you Sakthivel for your stand-ups during
celebrations and putting your full heart into them.
Thank you Sathya for your shy and lightening
smile that puts sparkles in your eyes.
Thank you Anbu and Sasikumar for your gentle
way of teasing each other and showing love like
brothers.
Thank you Najim for your practical jokes and for
your great memory.
Thank you Lalitha for the importance you give to
welcoming.
Thank you Peter D’Cruz for welcoming my
brother to stay with you and teaching me the
significance of fidelity in prayer.
Gratitude from Marie
Thank you Peter Daly for your unconditional love
repeatedly expressed to each one of us.
Thank you Srinivasan for your loud and clear
laugh.
Thank you Selvakumar for your childish jokes
and always being benevolent in your actions.
Thank you all for reminding me to choose joy daily.
It is a great honor to belong to this family. I felt so
happy to introduce you to my siblings and parents
when they visited India in May. The way you
welcomed them with openness and affection was
amazing. You really embraced my family and gave
them a special place inside your heart. Your
generous hospitality is so inspiring.
I strongly believe in the greatness of L’Arche’s
Mission. It is a unique way to grow; by putting
aside everything we know, we discover that our
diversity makes life incredible. The mutuality I have
experienced in L’Arche is a precious gift that I hope
to preserve.
As a member of Asha Niketan Chennai, I grew in
compassion, humility, patience, and attention. Most
of all, community life has given me a sense of
belonging and beautiful friends to double my joy in
life. I’ll be always thankful for this opportunity.
~Marie Sadoux
(International Volunteer from France)
In June, I completed my first year serving as
Community Leader. I have witnessed community
members grow in so many ways. After the cyclone
in December, Core Members and Assistants who
work together in our Garden needed to reconsider
what to plant, and I felt very touched as they added
flowers outside the office. Community members
who attend the Workshop and the Development
Centre continue to discover new ways everyone can
be creative and enjoy meaningful activities. In
April, we evaluated needs in both our homes;
Santhanayagi, Manikandan, and Nadhiya moved to
Prem Jothi, and Marie, Sasikala, Lloyd, and
Selvaraj moved to Asha Jothi. I am amazed at
everyone’s willingness to embrace new
responsibilities. It has been positive to collaborate
with James and reflect on our way of life.
Governing Council members and generous friends
have been very encouraging and supportive as I
have embraced this role. Asha Niketan Chennai
currently has one staff quarters, and I was able to
welcome my wife and son in August. I feel very
grateful for all the trust that I receive, and I continue
to feel inspired to fulfill Jean Vanier’s call: “Carry
L’Arche forward.” Our Core Members remain such
a great source of joy and hope for us all. I am
thankful I still have many opportunities to bond
with them each day.
~Anthony Xavier
Growing in Community
ASHA NIKETAN PRAYER
O God our Beloved Father,
Sole Helper of the helpless,
Protector of the weak, Star of the morning,
and Refuge of all sinners,
bless our homes, Asha Niketan, and make them abodes of
peace, of hope, of joy,
of Your eternal love and presence,
where poor in spirit and body may find You,
Source of all life, where afflicted may find
consolation, respect and love.
O Heavenly Father, teach us to be
true, humble and non-violent,
trusting in You, so that we may welcome
with compassion and tenderness those You send us.
Give us hearts of peaceful mercy,
to serve and to love our brothers and sisters,
to quieten passions, discords and violence
so that we may see Your presence
in our rejected brothers and sisters.
O Lord, bless us with the hands of Your poor;
O Lord, smile at us through the suffering faces of Your afflicted;
O Lord, receive us one day in Your eternal abode,
where you live in bliss with Your beloved children.
Thank you so much for your support! Please let us know if you would like to visit our community
and if you have any prayer requests to share with us.
1/288 East Coast Road Kottivakkam
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India 600 041
chennaiashaniketan@gmail.com +91 044 24487798
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