Making it special at Assisi Bhavan
On a sunny Saturday morning, the Kshana-ites made their way to Assisi Bhavan which is a home for the aged, tucked away in the green and breezy by lanes of Goregoan east. The very first thing that we noticed about this beautiful place was that it radiated a soothing feeling of peace. We were greeted by many curious faces that had 10 different questions running through their minds. We wasted no time in introducing ourselves and having a quick chat with everyone present. We explained to them that our aim of coming to Assisi Bhavan was not just to entertain them but also leave them with something that would benefit them in the long term.
True to our point, we had arranged for a yoga session for the residents of Assisi Bhavan. Mrs. Varsha Thakkar who has been teaching yoga for over 17 years now, was more than happy to conduct the session with them. She conducted a one hour session where she demonstrated different yoga ‘asanas’ and postures and highlighted how each one of them would benefit and help them to live a happy and healthy life. By this time all the Kshana-ites had mingled with the residents and were helping them to practice the asanas and were also practicing themselves!
The session ended with a ‘question and answer round’ where the inmates were encouraged to ask questions and Mrs. Thakkar answered all their queries.
Then we started with something that the residents of Assisi Bhavan enjoy immensely — a game of HOUSIE! Tickets were distributed. The categories for the prizes were announced. And then began the – ‘Housie Fever’!
Waiting anxiously, for the next number to be called out; hoping, it is the number that you have on your housie ticket; shouting out the numbers that you need – LOUDLY; the compere, making lame number jokes; praying anxiously to get that one number to win the ‘Full House’; the ‘Oh no’ when someone wins; and the happiness and excitement on the winner’s face.
Everyone was hit by the ‘Housie Fever’!
After the ‘Housie Fever’ it was time to be hit by the dancing bug. Enthusiastic aunties and uncles held hands with Kshana-ites and took over the dance floor! They taught the Kshana-ites a thing or two about dancing. Classic Western songs reverberated in the room and there was a smile on everyone’s face as they danced away to some peppy numbers.
The residents are a bunch of lively people. One aunty came forward and recited a poem called ‘Smile’. While another bunch of them sang a lovely duet. One of them simply chose to hum a song and dance with the Kshana-ites. It felt like we were one happy group of people having fun on a camp fire night!
We served delicious Idlis with Chutney which was followed by a glass of ‘chaas’. We also distributed the gifts to the Housie prize winners. We dropped everyone to their rooms and said our goodbyes.
The evening ended with a beautiful line said by Aunt Maggi (one of the residents) – ‘Love little, but love long’
Kshana is now a registered NGO with the Charity Commissioner from Dec 2008. You can also take a look at our 
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