Writer,columnist(Mahnoor Lillah)
Imagine being at a crowded place but still feeling utterly alone, with no one to call your own. This may reflect sentiments of the children who lose their parents at an early age through death or dispute and are abandoned by their kith and kin who are too poor to own them. Such children, if they are lucky enough to grow up, face an uncertain future and end up labouring at some workshop or begging at a traffic intersection. The psychological pangs of a difficult childhood leave lasting imprints on their minds and souls, and life becomes a burden for such children.
My name is Mahnoor Lilla, and I am a 17 year old who was brought up in luxury. I graduated from the International School of Choueifat, Lahore, and am studying for a BBA degree. Today, I am a wholly different person from what I was some two years ago.
My father, a senior and highly respected police officer, always provided me with the best life I could imagine. I always got what I wanted. Both my parents taught me to be humble, kind, and generous to others, especially those who can not afford happiness. From a young age, I knew I had a soft spot in my heart for people in need. I would always try to help others as much as I could.
My parents founded an orphanage – Almarah Foundation – with a view to give an enviable future to the orphaned and homeless children. It is not about giving them shelter and food but an enviable life, a bright future. Above all, they became father and mother to these children as all children call them ‘Mama’ & ‘Papa’. The first five children came to our home and with that, I became a sister to all these innocent little children.
The number of children increased within days and weeks and with generous support from friends and family, in the beginning, the children were provided an upbringing that me and my brothers and sisters got. As the numbers increased , so did the support from around the globe.
My life changed completely when I met Adnan. I never truly understood what love felt like until the first time I held this one-year-old infant. Although I was close to all the other children, holding Adnan for the first time was the turning point in my life. Adnan had just lost his mother and had pain and hopelessness in his eyes. When my parents first brought him to our home, I received him and held him in my arms. He was so weak and physically emaciated due to lack of nutrition.
I will never forget the moment I saw him for the first time. He was so frail, tiny, and scared. He clung to me as if I was all he had. He hugged me tight as if he did not want me to desert him.A tear fell from my eyes. I could feel his weak heartbeat asking for a safe refuge in life. It was at that moment that I felt a profound sense of purpose and responsibility. The moment reminded me of Mother Teresa’s words, “The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.”
Initially, my father was concerned about the risk of adopting Adnan into Almarah, given his fragile condition. But I had already made up my mind—this was my Adnan. For the next 15 days, I stayed by his side, took him to the best physicians in town, and made sure he got the nutrition and love he desperately needed. Through divine intervention and prayers, his health improved and he stronger and healthier by every passing day.
Humanity is about recognizing that we all have the same basic needs for love, safety, and belonging. “The greatness of humanity is not in being human, but in being humane,” Mahatma Gandhi had said. Can you imagine your one-year-old baby eating sand because he has no food, with no clothes on his body? Then what makes these children any different from those with well-off parents? Nothing, except their circumstances.
Seeing Adnan transform from a weak and emaciated soul to a healthy and happy child at Almarah Foundation is a testament to the power of human love, care, and generosity. His giggles resonate today, in the halls of Almarah, a sound that brings immense joy to my heart.
This journey has taught me the true meaning of love and compassion. It’s not about material possessions or a luxurious lifestyle. It’s about making a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Almarah Foundation is more than just an orphanage; it is a beacon of hope and a testament to the incredible impact that love and care can have on a child’s life.
My experience with Adnan and the other children at Almarah has changed me forever. I have learned that we all have the power to make a difference, no matter how small. Now, every child at Almarah is the same as Adnan to me and I want to give them all the love in the world, the love which was taken away from them when they just began their life in this world. It is a call to action for others to look beyond their own lives and extend a helping hand to those in need.
Humanity thrives when we connect with others on a deep, emotional level. It’s about sharing others’ pain and joy and understanding that their struggles are ours. Only in helping others do we discover the best of ourselves.
As I continue my journey, balancing my studies and responsibilities at the foundation, I hope to inspire many others to reach out and make a difference. My story with Adnan is not just a tale of charity; it is a narrative of hope, love, and transformative power of human bond.
