First birthday in India

Ongole, India: 8 January 2001

Ali's first birthday in India was on this day 20 years ago.   In the previous 2-3 years we had been raising funds to construct a home for disabled girls in Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, that would be named after Ali - the Alison Davis Home for Disabled Children.

The children were excited that "Mummy Alison" would be with them for her birthday, and that the festivities for the opening of their new home would be on this day.  The children had been practising dances, songs and dramas for many weeks, and it was a joyful climax to all their preparations.  In truth, Ali found the focus on her somewhat overwhelming, but was happy that the celebrations brought so much joy to the children.  

January 2001: Ali with some of the residents of the new home

Ali and I had happy visits to India each January until 2006, monitoring the projects funded by the charity we had founded, Enable (Working in India).  Shortly after the 2006 visit we discovered that the Director of our partner organisation in India had embezzled a large sum of money. Rather than let us entrust the work for disabled children to others, he made it impossible for us to continue, and he abandoned the children we had been supporting.  It was heartbreaking for all involved in Enable, but especially for Ali.

January 2001: Ali with some of the girls from the Alison Davis Home

Ali was in England for the seven birthdays between 2007 and 2013.   She would have surely remembered "her children" on those birthdays -  because I cannot imagine there was any day of the year when she did not.

January 2001:  Ali was always surrounded by "her children."

January 2001:  Ali and the girls havng their hands dyed with henna

Alison Davis Home for Disabled Children opened on 8 January 2001