Snehalayam e.V.

Snehalayam

Everyday life in the children's home

One Day in the children's home

One Day in the children's home

Managing a household of this size requires a high level of structure and mutual understanding in daily interactions. In the Snehalayam children's and orphanage home, the day begins for all children at seven o'clock. For many years, they slept on simple reed mats that had to be cleared away every morning. In 2022, bunk beds were purchased, and after making the bed upon waking up, the school uniform is put on, and hair is styled with coconut oil. Even before the children, the cook get up, preparing not only breakfast but also the warm lunch for the school day. Once everything is packed, the children hurry down to the main road, right by the sea, to catch the school bus. Only then do the other residents of Snehalayam have breakfast. Until the children return home around 4 p.m., household chores are done, shopping is done, care is provided for the older individuals in need, and urgent matters, such as property repairs, are addressed. In the afternoon, the house is filled with the latest stories from school while the children shower, wash their clothes, clean their metal lunch boxes, and have some time to play. Then they go inside, and all the children spread their textbooks on the floor. Leela and other staff members help them with homework and exam preparation. A ritual every late afternoon is the break with warm milk and cookies for dipping. Before dinner, each child helps with a short cleanup and tidying session. And after brushing their teeth, the Snehalayam home comes to rest at the end of a long day.