Purviz Shroff: An inspiration in caring for Mother's Choice babies in Hong Kong
Four times a week for 24 years, Purviz Shroff has cared for and amused babies at Mother's Choice
"Ah, here's one of my pumpkins," says Purviz Shroff, as she picks up a plump Chinese baby boy, who sits comfortably against her with the start of a smile.
She entertains him by bouncing him up and down, moving his chubby little fist against his mouth and making kissing sounds. Shroff sits down on the mat in the playroom where younger babies are being massaged by a group of volunteers. Some, just a few weeks old, look curiously out from baby carriers.
The babies at Mother's Choice are all Shroff's "little pumpkins".
The charity, set up in 1987, cares for children without families and helps pregnant teenagers and young women decide whether to keep their child or opt for adoption. Mother's Choice's vision is that all girls should have a bright future and all children a loving home.
Shroff has volunteered weekday mornings at the Mother's Choice childcare home four days a week for the past 24 years. About 44 babies and children are currently under care. Shroff estimates she's seen 2,000 of her pumpkins head off to new loving families. And many of those children remain in touch with her and some now have children of their own.
She's been nominated by Mother's Choice for the Compassion Ambassador Award, one of the seven categories of this year's Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, organised by the .
Shroff's husband, Rusy Shroff, comes from a family that has been based in Hong Kong since 1860. She came from the Indian city of Calcutta to marry her husband. Among their children was a son, Zarir, and it was the tragedy of his death in a car accident 24 years ago that led to her coming to work for Mother's Choice.
"It was Father's Day, June 15. My son was working in Switzerland," she recalls. When the phone rang she assumed it was Zarir ringing for his father. But it was her daughter-in-law telling of his death.
"I don't know whether I imagined that he came to me or whether he did. My son said to me: 'You always loved babies, so go and care for babies'."
Shroff discovered Mother's Choice, and as she entered, "there was my first little pumpkin, Gordon, sitting on the steps. And when he saw me he reached up his arms and I lifted him in my arms and hugged him".
Gordon was adopted by Israeli parents and recently wrote to Shroff to tell her he now has a child of his own.
Serrie Fung Cei-ling of Mother's Choice lauded Shroff's dedication and that of the army of volunteers who come to feed, bathe, comfort and play with the babies aged up to two and children up to six with special needs. Fung would like to see more male volunteers and people with other skills such as video filming or translation.
Mother's Choice chief executive Alia Eyres said: "Purviz is not only our longest-serving volunteer and our patron, she is also an inspiration to the Hong Kong community.
"She has such a heart to serve and lovingly cares for each of her 'pumpkins' four days a week, rain or shine. She truly embodies the essence of the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards."
