Created by Jodi Egan, Pauline Zulueta,Carolyn Butler
This multi-media video was put together after we returned from our trip to India. We stayed at this Ashram for 10 days, and we were astounded by how peaceful and loving the children were.
Most of the children were “complete” orphans, meaning both parents are deceased. Most had rough beginnings in life, including beatings, neglect and general poverty. The Shri Ram Ashram gave these children a home and a family. But most importantly, it gave them love and security.
When you first arrive at the Ashram, one thing is certain — you become part of their family. And what a wonderful family it is. Regardless of where you come from or how you got there, everyone at the Ashram welcomes you with open arms. The children, even though many are not blood-related, call each other brothers and sisters. There is always someone to play with, talk to and laugh with in this family of more than 70.
Sibyl Bigler and Ashley Tymko, MRU journalism graduates, took a look at how important family is at Sri Ram Ashram.
Love Lives Here – 2012 project by Cheryl Garden and Christina Riches
Love Lives Here is a tribute to the Sri Ram Ashram family from the Mount Royal University, 2012 India Field School. Here, we share with you some of the amazing memories that we hold close to our hearts, some of the moments captured in photographs that tell their own stories, and some of the inspiring words you have shared with us. We noticed a striking theme when we put everything together – that love and life thrive at Sri Ram Ashram. Click here to buy Love Lives Here — all proceeds go to the Sri Ram Ashram.
2012 Project by: Anna Brooks, Jocelyn Doll and Chelsea Barclay
Viewing Home
The Sri Ram Ashram is home. It is a home for over 70 children and instantly becomes a home for anyone who visits. Anna Brooks, Jocelyn Doll and Chelsea Barclay handed over cameras to some of the children to find out what aspects of the Ashram make it home for them. These are their pictures:
Project by: Curtis Dowhaniuk, Roxy Secara and Alexandra Rabbitte
Sri Ram Ashram provides a stable, loving family atmosphere for abandoned or neglected children in India. The Ashram accepts both infants and older children.
Daily life at the Ashram is a full and well-balanced routine, teaching both responsibility and discipline. The children are taught to help and care for each other. They are all brothers and sisters.
The Ashram ensures proper nutrition, exercise, health care, education and family support for all its members. Surrounding the Ashram are fields where they grow fresh vegetables and grains — feel free to pick a lychee off the tree for a snack!
The Ashram cows provide fresh milk for yogurt and chai. The kitchen staff works hard to produce three nutritious meals daily along with snacks of fresh fruit.
At the Ashram, CrossFit is a major component of everyone’s day. Children are usually up by 5:30 a.m. before the heat of the day sets in. Curtis Dowhaniuk, Roxy Secara and Alexandra Rabbitte from Group B were also ready every morning to capture the role CrossFit plays at the Ashram.
Facilities include housing for babies, children, staff and visitors, as well as a library, game room, well-equipped playground, cricket and soccer fields. There is a never a boring moment at the Ashram.
Sri Ram Orphanage is not an adoption facility. Instead, the children are raised to honor their culture and become contributing members of Indian society. One of the ways this is done is by providing a place for the children to have their nightly Aarti celebration. Aarti is a part of the Hindu religion and is done daily to worship deities. Gautam Verma and Kaitlyn Brown sat down with some of the children to find out why Aarti is important to them.
ed or neglected children in India. The Ashram accepts both infants and older children.