The Pursuit of Happiness

I seldom blog about the activities of community service that I am involved in because they are few and far between and I would hate it if a curious wanderer would ever come across my blog and mis-understand that I am deeply involved in it.
This week I volunteered to distribute clothes for the needy with some of my office mates.The clothes and other items that were collected from the donations made by the company employees were sent to a school nearby where the principal(Lakshmi) there packed it neatly into parcels with each child's name attached to it.They were meant for two orphanages in Chennai.When we assembled at the common pickup point I was surprised to see our mail room boy Mark there.Mark is an ever smiling and hardworking guy and I am sure if he were to receive the education that people like me received he would have been places.
The principal Lakshmi (who is completely immersed in social service) joined us in the visit.She must be around 50 years and as energetic as a 15 year old.We made an odd motley group with a project manager,a mail room boy,a principal and a few software engineers like me.
The orphanages that we visited were in really bad shape especially the second one where there must have been at least 35 children cramped into three small rooms.The single fan in the building was in the reception where we were met by the founder.When it was time for us to leave he and some of the children folded their arms in gratitude...I felt so small:)
At times I really regret not knowing Tamil.I would have loved to converse with these people,especially the founder and the children, but also at times I think it is a blessing in disguise.I can afford to remain ignorant of the existential crises they face in their pursuit of happiness and sleep peacefully.

PS: Names here have been changed.