Mother’s Day

The Queen’s birthday coincided with Mother’s Day on 12th August, and Camillian Home celebrated with a  loving event for staff, the children and their mothers. Children who had no mum, or those whose mums were absent were allocated a staff member or volunteer as their ‘Mother for the Day’.

All the Camillian Home children were able to wear their smartest clothes. The girls looked beautiful in their dresses and Nang, Fay, Kanya and Taptim loved their makeup! Everyone enjoyed the traditional dance performed by Pleng, Waa and Eve who worked very hard to learn and coordinate their performance. We had a great time singing and listening to music pieces from Camillian Home children and staff, including guitar and vocals from Rat. After enjoying a wonderful lunch after the event, cooked by Camillian Home kitchen staff, many of the resident children’s mothers stayed to spend some time with them. Mother’s Day 2011 was such a special day for all of us and we’re delighted we could celebrate together at Camillian Home.

Incredibly powerful speeches were made by some our orphan children who wrote and read their dialogue, some even in Braille. All were highly emotional and took a lot of courage for the children to write and speak aloud. Here are a few excerpts:

“Since the day I was born, I’ve never seen your face. I wish to see you at least once in my life, it would make me so happy. I am crying because I miss you. I wish that you could come to visit me. I would like to have a mother like other people but I don’t even know if you’re still alive. I would like to have a chance to pay you back for giving me life, and to be able to take care of you at least once. What I can do is to be a good girl to everybody that I look up to and can call a mother. The last thing I wish is to be able to see you, and to tell you that I love you, mum.”

-13 year old girl

“It has been 17 years since you, my mother, gave me life, and I was able to see your face until I was eight years old. Although this was a short time I never felt regret. If, one day, I have a chance to hear your voice, I would be very happy. One last thing is that I wish to be able to see you. I love you mum.“
-17 year old girl

“I would like to have a mother like other children. I would like to see you, I would like to hug you because I never get to feel that warmth like other children do. I miss you so much mum. When I was younger I lived with my grandparents and you went to work, but on holiday you came to see me. I was so happy because I could hear your voice. But when you died I never felt this warmth again. I would like to tell you that I love you so much.“
-12 year old boy

“From the day that I was born to this world, I never ever saw my mother’s face. Every year they have mother’s day and everybody has a mother but I don’t. That is why I’m not happy, and I sit here and cry. I would like to tell you that if we can have a next life, please let me be your son again. “
-13 year old boy