Purchasing supplies is somewhat of an art and it takes time to perfect the skills such as bargaining and judging the quality of materials. In order to develop these skills, we have to cultivate relationships with local merchants as prices for foreigners tend be significantly higher than for locals. In all cases, we have to rely on the orphanage managers to help us barter and translate for us. Since this is Paper Kite’s third year here, volunteers have become familiar with the prices and are able to push for the lowest prices possible. We know that every dollar counts, so we make the effort to maximize our budget. As well, we are actively involved in the purchasing process and check the quality and quantity of all items we purchase.

In the evening we spend time with the children. Spending time with the children is one of the most fulfilling aspects of our field work. In just a few days, we went from being “the volunteers” to “Tarik Brother” and “Navi Sister.” It is an honour to be welcomed into the children’s hearts but it is hard to not form an emotional bond with them. Not only do we become emotionally invested in the children’s well-being, but we also learn about the children’s daily needs beyond the items requested by orphanage managers. For instance, Navi noticed that the girls’ hair could use some TLC, so she purchased hair clips for all of them. Although such items are basic necessities, you don’t realize what kids need until you see them in person and observe them on a daily basis.

At Paper Kite, we are lucky to be able to see the children in their element. This is something that is unique to our organization. As well, volunteers cover their own travels, accommodations and food in Bihar to ensure that all donations to Paper Kite are spent responsibly on items that the children require.

Navi, Paper Kite Volunteer
Tarik, Paper Kite President & Founder

Motak was an energetic boy who had aspirations of finishing school and becoming a social computer teacher. He also enjoyed wearing Tarik’s sunglasses and learning about Canadian culture.

While he was home visiting his family, Motak contracted Meningitis. Meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges). Meningitis can be cause by bacteria, viruses, fungi and even certain chemicals. Bacterial Meningitis is the most common type of Meningitis appearing in healthy individuals and also the most dangerous. It requires immediate medical treatment. Unfortunately, Motak’s parents were not aware of the symptoms of Meningitis and did not seek medical care when he started feeling sick. Additionally, since hospital visits are very expensive, they were reluctant to take him to the hospital. Although Motak was experiencing symptoms, his family was not aware that anything was wrong until he fell into coma. At that time, he was rushed to the hospital, but it was too late, and unfortunately he died on the way.

This situation could have been prevented if his parents had been informed about Meningitis symptoms, but basic health promotion is still lacking in local villages. Health promotion is just as important to community members as it is to the children in the orphanages. Paper Kite is planning to organize a health team to come to India to provide basic health education to the children and community members in the future to help prevent this from happening again.

Navi, Paper Kite Volunteer
Tarik, Paper Kite President & Founder

This year, through the hard work of our volunteers and your donations, we have $12,000 to spend. And as always, every dollar we raise goes directly to helping the children here.

It’s only been a few days, but Navi and I wasted no time as we immediately started purchasing items for both orphanages including fabric for the student uniforms, plates, undergarments and wiring materials for lighting. We still have many items to purchase over the next 10 days – food for a month, medicine, wood for making beds, shoes, kitchen utensils, etc.

Ten days may sound like a long time to buy supplies, but it takes a lot of time and patience to go through the process of making purchases from small shops in Bodh Gaya. India is very different from Canada in terms of pace and service.

Unlike in Canada where you can easily purchase an item from a store, in India, the process of buying is a lot more complex. First, you have to source various businesses, then you negotiate a price, and finally, you hope that you aren’t overpaying. While the process can be laborious, it is the only way to do business here.  This particular difference between Western and Indian culture is what makes it so hard for charities to set up shop in Bihar.Unless you are willing to adopt the practices of the local culture, it is very difficult to earn a positive reputation as a credible organization. This fact alone is what makes Paper Kite unique—we are cognizant of the cultural differences and actively use this knowledge to build trust with the local community.

The rest of our time is focused around purchasing supplies and spending time with the children at both orphanages. Thanks for reading and watch here for more updates!

Navi, Paper Kite Volunteer
Tarik, Paper Kite President & Founder

I live in a country of plenty and I am not limited. We have basic necessities like food, water, clothing and shelter. We have access to stable and reliable electrical power. We have schools in our communities and we have advanced resources. I have received formal education and see a doctor and dentist once a year. The sight of fruit, something all children need daily, excited the children like a chocolate bar did to me as a child. With the dedicated team of volunteers in Canada, we are unlimited. Each one of us in Paper Kite has made a difference in the lives of the children. I have been a part of and seen the difference we are making.

To me it’s not about profit – it’s about personal connection. I now have the faces of the children in the homes imprinted in my mind and heart. I will never forget them. I am more passionate now than ever before. When I went into Jeanamitabh for the first time three weeks ago, I read a poster in one of the classrooms which is a good conclusion to my blogs.

“Never, never, never, never give up!”

Thank you for reading my blogs and for your continued support for Paper Kite Children’s Foundation.

My first impression of India is that people are very busy. The streets are full of people and they all run around minding their business. My friend in Delhi told me that people love their work and they work late hours. In other words, their work sometimes might not be as efficient as in other countries, but they are very devoted and dedicate a lot of time to their work.

At the train station in Patna, there was a woman with her 4 or 5 year old daughter. She let her daughter present some acrobatics while she played the drums. I am sure they do it all the time to get some money in order to survive. On the train, I was placed in the comfort class, but it was still the oldest train coach I have ever sat in. A girl wiped the floor of the coach with a binding of leaves and then asked for some rupee coins, which is just a few cents.

I got a similar picture when I arrived in Bodhgaya where our orphanages are situated. The main streets are packed with people, monks on the way to one of the numerous temples, rickshaw drivers offering a ride, people buying their daily needs and a lot of beggars. People seem to enjoy what they are doing, but they have to do most things from scratch. Bricks for construction are fabricated in the fields around Bodhgaya from a special kind of clay. Metal is processed at multiple places in the streets. We went to one of those places to buy a metal box for the Sunway orphanage. The idea is that each child there has a box for personal items. A lot of trading and bargaining is done at the farmer’s market in Gaya. We went there to buy vegetables and fruit for the Sunway orphanage. People take their time there to check the quality of the products and then to discuss the price. It is very busy though, and you can barely stand still, because people are pushing from all sides.

In summary, I have to say that most people are really eager here to make something out of their lives. However, the conditions are very poor and people have to work hard just to have a small home with brick walls that they share with multiple family members. The poorest still live in simple cottages made from cotton. I do not want to imagine how those homes look like when it rains. The people deserve support from abroad and they might acknowledge it a lot. Paper Kite invests in children who will make up the next generations of Indian people in Bihar. So we can hopefully contribute a tiny bit to offer Bihar a more prosperous future.

Johannes Jenkner

Kind Regards,

Isabel Estan (Paper Kite Vice-President)

It has been a great pleasure to be a part of this whole process. From founding this great cause, connecting with others who are passionate and dedicated, to returning to India and seeing how our hard work has made a difference. Seeing the children eat the food we buy, take the medicine we purchased, and attend school now sitting on a bench instead of the floor. It is so beautiful! A little does make a large difference. Donating money or your valuable time contributes to the happiness and future of the children. I have witnessed this and I will never give up!

There are many opportunities to help our cause, including coming to India in 2012. I will be posting the details on our website soon. There will also be an opportunity to explore India during the next trip. Please let us know if you are interested and we will contact you with details. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog :)

I’m sad to say that on this trip we will not be able buy Rajesh a wheelchair because we do not have enough money. It is challenging to see so many disadvantaged people, especially children, when we are so fortunate to live in a world of plenty. It is my dream that no child will go hungry and without love or care. Love can come in many forms. As you can see, donations are making a long-term difference in the children’s lives. As well, volunteering your time so selflessly speaks volumes.

At Paper Kite’s last volunteer meeting I asked a question that is hard to answer initially without thought. I will ask you all the same question in hopes that you understand why Paper Kite exists. Why should anyone care about helping children halfway across the world?

This is one of many items that Paper Kite will be purchasing in order to provide basic necessities for the children. Education is important in order to end the cycle of poverty. Jeanamitabh’s motto is ‘To save one child is to save the world.’ I have witnessed them doing that. Paper Kite is supporting this fully functional orphanage that provides a home and education on-site to each child. Jeanamitabh has sent eleven orphans to college and university. This is an orphanage that is making a difference from beginning to end for the children. We are proud to partner with Jeanamitabh and jointly assist the children in achieving their dreams. Paper Kite works closely with the orphanages while ensuring that we are not imposing our cultural beliefs.

Paper Kite is very fortunate to have volunteer skilled professionals on our Board. To name a few, we have a labour lawyer, a registered bookkeeper, a registered social worker and a financial analyst on our Team. Paper Kite has a strong team of volunteers to help raise funds to support the orphanages. It is the dedication, commitment and compassion of the volunteers which allows us to achieve our goals. Paper Kite has no paid employees or office costs. We strive to have our small operation costs paid by a donor or sponsor, as was done in 2009. Any amount that you can donate will make a difference in the children’s lives. Alternatively, you can contribute a monthly recurring amount or donate in honour of someone on our website. A tax receipt will be emailed to you. Donate here

Over the next few days our Board will be deciding which items we are able to provide to the remaining orphanages based on our four programs. The items will have a direct impact on the growth and success of the children. Thank you for reading and please stay tuned for more updates :)

In order to ensure that our efforts directly benefit the children, no money will be given directly to these orphanages. As such, the orphanages have signed service agreements stating that donated goods will be used solely for the benefit of children residing in the orphanage and the orphanage will monitor and verify items donated by Paper Kite. I will be purchasing the items myself and ensure they are delivered to the orphanages. In the Fall, another Paper Kite volunteer will be coming back to ensure the orphanages are fulfilling our service agreement. Paper Kite has been built on accountability and transparency.

I’m happy to let you know that Paper Kite, through the hard work of the volunteers and your donations, is able to spend $12,000 this year on items for the orphanage. Items we will be purchasing will support the expansion of the orphanages to allow for more orphans. Paper Kite is 100% volunteer run and we do not have any government grants or major sponsors. Our volunteers have raised the $12,000 that we are using here in Bihar, India. As well, I have paid for my own travel and expenses. We rely on donations and support from people like you. As a grassroot charity, like many non-profits, we have dedicated volunteers working with limited resources. I founded Paper Kite on the basis of a need I witnessed two years ago here in Bodhgaya. Gaining trust from the public is one of our biggest challenges – with good understanding. Please take the time to navigate our website; see the need, see the pictures, and see our dedicated volunteers. We are accountable to you! Thank you for believing and supporting our cause. Please know we are making every effort to ensure all of your donations make it to the orphanages in the form of items needed.