KUALA LUMPUR: This Thaipusam, a single mother who runs a children's shelter in Gombak did not fret or rue over the fact that she could not take the children to the temple for prayers and to fulfill their vows.
Instead, she was relieved and counted her blessings that the children remain healthy and in good spirits.
Nitha Ragawan, 49, who was born and bred in Kuala Lumpur used to be a marketing assistant for a fast food company.
She quit that job last year to devote herself to these children.
She is the founder and primary caregiver for Pusat Jagaan Sashti (Sashti Blessings Care Center), a shelter she set up six years ago.
Nitha said previous experiences doing charity work inspired her to set up the shelter, and the fact that she is a single mother raising three children of her own, also motivated her.
"I was initially inspired to help people who suffered from critical illnesses, especially children, so I started a WhatsApp group about six years ago initially made up of family and friends, to help those who are in dire need.
"At the same time, I used to go to some shelter homes on weekends to volunteer and help by teaching children. I spent quality time with them. My main intention was to shower them with love, care and affection and to teach them as much and as best as I could.
In this modern world, education is very important, so that is how I came about in setting up the Sashti Blessings Care Center," Nitha said.
She pointed out that despite not being well off, she had to do her bit to help less fortunate children out of love, passion, care and concern.
Nitha currently takes care of the children and day-to-day running of the home on her own.
She has seven children, aged six to 17, under her care. They comprise of orphans, who were abandoned or have parents or single parents who are unable to care for them. Some of the children come from broken homes.
Apart from providing a roof over their heads, feeding them, making sure they receive an education by sending them to school, Nitha makes sure the children participate in worthwhile activities.
Among them are Karate, Yoga, Kollatam (an Indian cultural dance) and Thevaram (classical Indian group singing).
However, she said these activities have temporarily ceased because of the current Covid-19 pandemic, so she keeps the children indoors during the Movement Control Order (MCO) for their own wellbeing and safety.
"Since last year, when the threat of the virus came about, and with the children not being able to attend schooling physically, I have been using an old desktop computer and two handphones for the children's education.
"They take turns to use them. This allows them to have access to learning and their studies. However, I am really trying to get more computers and smart devices for the children so they can keep up with their online home teaching and learning (PdPR)."
"I started the shelter home at the end of 2016, though I only officially opened the home in mid-2017 after obtaining all the necessary approvals from the local authorities.
"I took in a brother and sister aged four and two years-old, respectively, and fast forward today, now I have eight children with me under my care.
"Now I manage and run the shelter with my own money and with funds and donations from Good Samaritans and well-wishers, and this comes to about RM6,000 a month. However, in reality we need more than RM10,000 a month to cover all the costs, but we are able to get by so far. We count our blessings as times are tough now and many people are facing hardship and difficulties.
"I am also very grateful for all the help and assistance rendered by about five people who come whenever they can to help me in caring for the children, such as Vellai Mayal Kavadi founder Mahadevan Santhilnathan, and a Hanuram Bhajan group (musical group) who I am indebted to," said Nitha.
Even though the children and Nitha were not able to celebrate Thaipusam and carry Paal Kavadi this year, they persevered by performing prayers in the house.
She prayed to Lord Murugan for blessings, continued good health of the children, and for much a better, brighter future for them as well as all Malaysians.