She lived years in thorns. Now they live nights in the cold.

Some survived pain, some loneliness, now all face the cold.

“Sometimes I wonder… When fear becomes too much, humans are no different from animals. Just like a wounded animal hides in the bushes to protect itself, I found her, a woman, alone, hiding among thorns and trees.

She had no clothes, her body was full of wounds, and her eyes were filled only with fear. When I softly asked her, “What happened?”, she whispered, “Please don’t hurt me…”

Those words still echo in my heart. Later, I found out her husband had passed away years ago. Her son, unable to handle the loss, fell into drinking and crime. He stopped caring for his mother and started hurting her instead. Slowly, her life became full of pain, hunger, fear, and loneliness. For years, she lived like that, hiding in the wild, just trying to survive.

Today, she lives in my foundation. But honestly, our condition isn’t good either. Winter is almost here, and we don’t have enough to take care of everyone. The older women here don’t have warm clothes. Some have only one thin sari to wrap themselves in. Our blankets are torn, our food is never enough, and sometimes we have to share whatever little we have.

At night, when I walk with the intention of checking on them, I can hear their coughs, their shivering breaths in the cold. Some sit covered in old rags, others in children’s clothes, just trying to stay warm. Yet, when they see me in the morning, they smile.

There was a time when the entire village would make fun of me, and taunt me saying I have lost my mind taking care of those that are homeless, mentally retarted and sick, but after that journey that I started a few years back, it has only rewarded me with blessings. Their smiles, their feeling of being wanted, seen and heard is beyond words. 

Now, at least, they feel they have someone, someone who won’t abandon them.

I stood with them through their toughest times, even when we lost our roof. But I know I can’t keep that promise alone. Winter is cruel, and we don’t have enough resources. We need help, for blankets, warm clothes, food, and medicines and shelter. These people have already lived through enough suffering, they shouldn’t have to face the cold too.

I can’t change their past. But together, we can change their today, and maybe their tomorrow. Sometimes, all a person needs is a feeling that they are not alone.

This winter, even a small act of your kindness, one blanket, one meal, one helping hand, can bring warmth and dignity back into their lives. Because at the end of the day, every human, no matter how broken, deserves to feel safe, warm, and loved again.” – Raj Meena.