My Little Philanthropist

Our Europe trip meant a bunch of different things to all of us. We witnessed things that we had only read in books, experienced those that were told to us by others, and felt some strong emotions about things that weren't on our agenda anywhere. I will document more about our Fun Europe Holiday in a separate post but this one is specially about my most special person, my Neel and I want to capture this as a reminder to him when he grows up, that he has big heart, a Huge heart even as kid. I hope this post will always remind him to keep a big heart for those who are not so privileged as we are.

Last April Vacation week we took the bold step to take our first family vacation outside of the US. We went to Europe - Woo-hoo... It required a lot of planning, some curb balls along the way but overall it was absolutely amazing. After Rome and Greece our final destination as the beautiful country Turkey! 

Topokapi Palace

Taksim Square - The nostalgia of tram

The Little Tourists


We had known very little about this country and what a treat for the eyes this place had. Even though quit chilly, temperature wise, this place as full of Tulips (My absolute favorite amongst all flowers after lilies). Wherever we went we could see carpets of Tulips. I had never imagined Turkey and Tulips go hand in hand, I used to imagine Holland and Switzerland when I thought of tulips!

The place had its charm, it was extremely colorful - from beautiful blue skies, to gorgeously colorful ceramic tiles, to hand painted pottery, Glass lamps, golden Turkish tea, the high Minars that seemed to be touching the clouds and the sound of evening prayers....everything was so romantic, so beautiful, so gorgeous!


Colorful Glass Luminaries

Mesmerizing Darwish

The truly grand "Grand Bazaar"



Street Cats - Neel's only favorite thing in Turkey

But my little boy wasn't quite feeling the same way as all of us were. He as often sad and somewhat lost. I thought it must be all the travel and jet lag that was getting to him. The only thing that would bring a spark in his eyes were the myriad of street cats in Istanbul.
But every time we stepped out, Neel would search into his pockets for any remaining Turkish Lira form his allowance and would make sure he had several coins. This was definitely not for him to buy something for himself but for another very special reason.


Coloful steets of Istanbul

The gorgeous Hagia Sofia

While on one hand we were seeing all these beautiful Palaces and Elaborate Mosques and Grand Bazars, the city of Istanbul had somewhat sad side to it. It had a significantly large number of homeless kids on the streets, in public transport, on the train stations etc, begging for food or money. And it was definitely breaking our heart. But for Neel - it was the reality he had NEVER been exposed to; it was something that he was not able to comprehend at all. He had always imagined that kids had grown ups that took care of them, that everyone had some place to sleep in even if it may be small, that perhaps everyone ate something for dinner even if it may not be their favorite food! But how could a little kid be wandering around all by himself sticking his hand out for money or food? Where was his Mom or Dad? And why did he not have any warm clothes on the cold winder night and who is taking care of him? Neel had a million questions in mind and a handful that he would try ask me by pulling me on the side. And every time he saw such kids, his eyes would tear up. He would reach in his pockets and gave that kid whatever he had in his pockets. He had often insisted on getting a sweet or a dessert only to give it away to a kid sitting outside the shop!

On the day of my Birthday, he told me something that made me cry and made me proud at the same time. We were going out for dinner and as we walked down the street he saw a kid trying to squeeze his head between his knees to keep him warm. I gave Neel some money to give it to the kid. As we walked a little further down we saw another kid, I gave him some money once again. Neel stood there and didn't move, I pulled him on the side and asked him what was it and he started to cry. And in his broken voice he asked - "Do you think this money can keep him warm and buy him food, this is nothing Ma." I told him Neel we can go and give them some more and he said "but how can you walk away like they don't exist. They are kids just like me, why cant you treat them like your own kids" . I did not have a single answer to any of his questions and I was feeling ashamed! ashamed that my little boy can feel and think of the pain of this harsh reality while I was able to look past it accepting it as "harsh reality". In a second, Neel had changed everything for me. The thought of celebration of my birthday, of a great vacation, all of those feelings were taken over by the raw feeling of pain and I felt so little in front of my little boy. Neel refused to eat anything for Dinner, his exact words "I've lost my appetite". He asked the server to pack his food into two separate boxes. That was strange. I asked him why and said that it was enough food to give to the two kids we had seen on the street while walking to the restaurant. My heart as pumping harder with every word that was coming out of his mouth.

Hunger Hurts!

Unfortunately the two kids we had seen of the street were gone by the time we walked back. Neel was very disappointed; we went to many side streets looking for them but we couldn't find them. But Daddy promised Neel that once he gets us back to the Hotel he will walk around looking for those kids, that he will give the food to them tonight. In the Hotel Room Neel told me "Ma I have a present for you but I am sorry I wont be able to give it to you" I told him it was OK not bothering to ask "why" but he continued "I would rather save that money and give to poor kids!" Geez....my heart was sinking, the head was hurting, I was suddenly aware of how cold by body was feeling at that moment - I was frozen. I was frozen by the words that came out of Neel's mouth, the pain that he was feeling, how big his heart was, and that at 6 years of age he has realized the pain of others - bigger than any of his! I was Proud of the BIG heart my Little Boy had.

Always be the giver my little boy!

On our flight back Neel and I sat side by side holding each others hands, talking about things I didn't think he'd understand but he actually did. He realized its not just Turkey but there are unfortunate kids around the world. We talked about Africa, and countries in war zone and homelessness in India and even America. I was not afraid of telling him the truth anymore, I knew that he had some sort of extraordinary capability to understand pain and suffering of others. As we watched the in flight movie on Steve Jobs we got on the topic of Bill Gates and Malinda Gates Foundation and how impressed Neel is with Bill Gates - that is beyond words. He said "I want to be like Bill Gates" "I want to make a LOT of money and give it to the poor people. I know I can do it"

He even said "I'll ask Mama to give the money I've been saving to Bill Gates when mama goes to Seattle next time" (his mama/ uncle works for Microsoft :) ) Such is my Big Hearted Little Boy.
I know someday he will do something good for the world, and I am very fortunate to be his mother.



Street cats of Istanbul sure must miss Neel