Sanctuary Home For Children

This is the pathetic condition which we cannot get words for description. When this boy was two years old his mother died out of pneumonia. Later his father got married and this boy was left in merciless condition as the where abouts of his father after marriage with some one are so far not known. Since that time he was eating in one of his mother’s relations house. He was keeping the cows and cattles. To tell you the truth he was in a such bonded labour, where our eyes could not believe the act. He was not even allowed to go to the school. By cook or hook he was managed to go to the school on a pitiable condition. He now is in seventh grade. One of our preachers spoke to him. This boy expressed anxiety for he wants to get educated. The preacher guided us long back after many prayers to the Lord. God gave us an opportunity of starting Orphanage where he is found room. In this regard we whole heartedly urge your good selves to extend your warmest co-operation as a sponsor to this boy, which will enable him to translate all his dreams in to practical means. So that he may become a best citizen rather a model citizen with his bright and prosperous future.

Greetings! I wanted to tell you about our interview with Mahesh. First of all, we spent the week observing him play and interact with the other children, and he is a happy boy and we didn't perceive any problems. Most of the children were somewhat bashful when we put him on the spot in the interview, but Mahesh spoke right up. He is the tallest boy, always smiling, and he has filled out a lot (especially his cheeks!) since we got that first photo about 8 months ago. He is a very good helper and worker, one of the leaders, and the younger boys look up to him. He always looks like he's about to laugh. When we went to the slum area in Tenali to distribute food, Mahesh was one of the SH boys who came to help, and on the morning we left at the train station, he and Rajesh were there to help carry luggage. He is 14 and in 8th class. His favorite subject is science, and he likes to play volleyball. He's very good at volleyball. Mahesh is also a good swimmer. He asks that you please pray for him to do well in school, for his good health, and for a good mind to love the other children, and also for his spiritual life. He offered this information, translated by Rajanikanth: "I am very happy to stay here, otherwise I may be in the streets." He is also very pleased with the good staff, good Isaac Uncle, and good health at SH.

About the swimming: I asked where the children went to swim, and was told a very amusing story by Isaac. In the early days of SH, a group of five or six boys sneaked away from SH without informing anyone, and they went to one of the canals to go swimming. The canals are very dirty - I can only imagine what's living in that water. The other children reported on the naughty boys, and Isaac went to retrieve them. I had the impression that the only physical punishment they received was a twist of the ear, but that they got quite a talking to. Isaac explained more about the nature of SH, what was being offered to them, and what was expected of them. The boys were very repentant and promised never to do it again. Isaac called all of their names and had them line up before me, each wearing a very sheepish grin, shaking their heads and making motions with their hands to indicate "never again." It was difficult to keep a straight face. So some of the boys are good swimmers, but they're not permitted to swim in the dirty canals.