This effort on behalf of Home of Hope began in mid-2006, but already wonderful things are happening as hearts open up to the wonderful girls in this orphanage in India.
(continued from Home Page)
During Paul Wilkes's October visit, many exciting projects were
underway. A
new solar-powered water purification system provides clean drinking
water for the orphan girls and the 500 students in the Auxilium School in which
the orphanage is housed. A new shed is being built on
the roof so that even during the long monsoon season, the girls will have
fresh, dry clothes to wear. The Home of Hope All Girls marching band
is now a reality - horns and drums and marching feet are heard on the
grounds...and the girls have a new sense of pride in their new band. Here's
a full report on that trip:
Dear Friends of Home of Hope:
I wish all of you could have been with me at
Home of Hope on that one Saturday, October 13, 2007.
- On
the roof, near the huge water tank, local workmen peered into four huge
boxes and began a project unlike any they had ever attempted before.
- Nearby, the blistering heat of a welders torch attached pieces of steel to frame the new shed on the roof.
- In
the assembly area of the school, which is still the sleeping area for
the girls, where was the rustle of newspapers as they excitedly
unwrapped trumpets and bugles and drums. Soon, there was a joyful
bellowing and drumbeats --yet unpracticed but thoroughly enthusiastic.
- At the back of the property, a freshly dug hole held a stone, a cross upon it.
It was such a wonderful day, with so much
activity, so many good things happening for the girls. I
had arrived a few days before for an extended stay, to
implement what your generosity has provided. But it
was this particular Saturday that crystallized what our
work together is doing to transform the lives of the 70
adorable, bright-eyed girls who live at Home of Hope.
First off, plumbers on the roof? Many wearing
the native dhoti, their lean bodies belying the strength of
these good men, the team from Mr. P. Ramachandran s
GR Tech Services engineering and construction
company began installing a HomeSpring water purifier
and the solar unit that will power it. Everyone in Kochi
either boils or treats the water as sewage and rain runoff
contaminate the supply. We searched to find a way to
make that water drinkable, not only for the girls and
their kitchen, but for the Auxilium school of 515
students in which the orphanage is housed.
 
Raising their glasses of clean drinking water! to the new
solar-powered water purifier.
We found GE s HomeSpring unit, then Jack and
Carmen Barker of Innovative Technologies in Colorado
devised a way to power it with two solar panels. Steve
and Tracy Tomkovicz, of Christ the King Parish in
Pleasant Hill, California, where my Tracy and I had
spoken, stepped in and provided the funding through
their annual Wine to Water golf tournament and auction
that helps underwrite Third World water projects.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is an innovative system, with little
maintenance or additional cost. If you are as fascinated
as I became, find out more at www.homespring.com
As you can see, the girls are toasting a new era: one of
good, pure, disease-free drinking water.
The shed is a gift of Bob and Aimee Davis and
their three children. They are from Shrewsbury,
Massachusetts St. Mary parish, where I spoke, telling
the parishioners about damp clothes that never dry
during monsoon season. The shed provides roof
protection and air-drying for the girl s clothing, which
they hand wash, as well as for various household items.
 
Under construction: the rooftop drying shed.
The Home of Hope All Girls Marching Band
came into being because Hollee Mateo, a teacher at
Christ the King School in Pleasant Hill, heard our talk
and wanted her school children to do something special
for the girls. I asked Sr. Anna, the superior of the nine
Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco who live at Home of
Hope, and Sr. Sophy, the school principal, what people
could do to put some fun into the daily lives of the
orphan girls, to feed their spirit as well as care for their
minds and bodies. A band; why not a band? was the
idea that came back. So, we purchased 20 instruments
and material for uniforms (which will soon be stitched
by the very competent sewing class). The student
council at Christ the King had held a car wash to raise
money and then simply dipped into their treasury to
provide the rest. The school s name is now proudly
displayed on the euphonium (a sort of small tuba)
carried in the first row of the band.
You should have seen and heard the girls,
honking away, beating on drums, practicing their quite
pukka marching routines. Bandmaster Johnny, himself a
product of the Salesian priests boys orphanage nearby,
has already given them lessons and The Home of Hope
All Girls Marching Band is well on its way.
A few days before this exciting and busy
Saturday, I was honored to slather mortar onto two large
blocks and lay the cornerstone (with etched cross) of the
new building we all have been working so hard to make
a reality. I was able to bring over some $60,000 so that
construction might begin, under the supervision of an
excellent construction manager, Paul Raj, whose heart is
with the Home of Hope girls. He will build well, and as
quickly as possible. I am sure we can raise the final
$40,000 so that the girls can sleep in a comfortable
dormitory, have showers, a sick room, computer lab and
learning center and generally, a real home. In a year s
time, they will no longer have to sleep on concrete, on
thin straw mats. The laying of the cornerstone was a
very proper ceremony, with a blessing and proclamation
( In the year of our Lord two thousand and seven )
The Salesian provincial, Sister Rosy Malayatty, was
there for the occasion.
A joyful noise: Home of Hope All Girls Marching Band.
I sat with the sisters and Sister Rosy to draw up
a list of needs for 2008. (I m including the list; you can
choose how your donation is used.) Looking back on
past needs we ve taken on, most are accomplished --
junior college scholarships, water system, vehicle,
computers, and a new building on its way to full
funding. That s the excitement and dynamism of Home
of Hope. By concentrating on one place, we are making
a profound difference in the lives of these girls.
Beyond anything we do, it is the relationship
with the Home of Hope girls and the sisters that really
matters. It fills our own hearts and encourages us to do
still more. That is why people like you are visiting
Home of Hope, so that you can experience this magical
place. That is why the Davis family is planning on
regular visits, so that their children might be aware of
what can be done to stand with and support those who
need our helping hand.
The 70 girls at Home of Hope continue to thrive
and it is so heartening to see them grow, not only
physically, but into more self-confident beings. We
must always remember, looking at these smiling faces,
that they all have lived lives of horrible degradation,
neglect, of mental, spiritual, physical and often sexual
abuse. That takes a great toll on a young girl. But under
the care of the sisters, and bolstered by your help, the
girls know that they matter and that they are loved; so
many people around the world are with them.
Sister Rita helping Chithra learn to read.
I saw this increase in self-awareness and
confidence demonstrated dramatically in so many of the
girls. Chinchu, a native girl, who lived in the jungle in a
thatched hut, is now in school, and a vital member of the
community. Last year, I saw Sister Annie place her
hand over Chithra s to trace the first letter of the
alphabet the girl had ever written. She was ten years old
and had never been to school. Chithra is now in the
second grade and will soon be advanced to the fourth.
She will be up to her grade level soon; she is a smart girl
and catches on quickly.
Little Reena, the six-year old who captured our
hearts and yours, is blossoming. As you might
remember, Reena s mother is mentally ill and they were
begging one day when Reena got separated from her
mother and was kidnapped by the beggar mafia. To
make her a better beggar they held her down and
brutally plunged a darning needle into her left eye,
blinding her in that eye. I can testify to the change in
Reena from the first time Tracy and I met her in early
2006. She is now eight and gradually coming out of her
shell, always ready with that smile that both broke and
captured our hearts, and doing well in school. It is her
dream to someday come to America.
I want to encourage you to visit and stay at
Home of Hope, and to work with the girls. One of the
greatest needs is to teach spoken English. Although a
good number of the girls are in the English medium
school, spoken English is an entirely separate issue.
English that they can use in everyday conversation, in a
future job, is the key to their future. You can be a part of
that training during your visit.
 
Vidhya, Saritha and Reena on cleaning day.
If you want a larger project, a mission trip for a
half dozen people or so, we can organize a work project
or an intensive English workshop, where all the girls can
learn, at their appropriate level. Possibilities are
unlimited: a yoga group is planning a yoga retreat.
As I looked out over the girls on my last night
there, when they presented a program with elegant
costumes and dancing, I was simply overwhelmed, filled
with such happiness. I could hardly thank them I was so
teary, because they are giving each of us far more than
we are giving them. We are in their prayers each day.
And does God not hear the prayer of these girls, who
have seen so much adversity in their lives? None of us
knows exactly how the power of prayer works, but
something is happening both there at Home of Hope and
in our own lives that is beyond understanding.
Until we talk or meet next time, thank you.
Paul Wilkes - US Coordinator - Home of Hope
1413 Hawthorne Road - Wilmington NC 28403
910-815-0694 - 910-538-4544 (cell)
www.homeofhopeindia.org
p.s. During my visit, four Home of Hope girls were
trained to run our Used Books, New Lives program.
You may recall, Used Books, New Lives asks people
to donate books online that the girls then list on
Amazon.com. When a book sells, the donor receives a
shipping label and tax deduction. A virtual bookstore.
Please list your books and DVDs HERE
It s fun and helps the girls help themselves. We have
already made several hundred dollars. Invite your
church, civic group, or club to join in.
~~~~
List of needs at Home
of Hope, 2008
**(Items struck through have
been committed; please choose the need you want to address and return this
sheet with your donation.)**
Home of Hope (Prathyasha Bhavan) is an Indian orphanage that provides a loving,
safe, stable home to abandoned, homeless, abused, and neglected girls, from age
5 to 23. It is located in the south of
India, in the city of Kochi (Cochin), state of Kerala. There are currently some 70 girls in residence, and no girl in
need or crisis is ever turned away.
1. $40,000
to complete the new building– we have raised over $60,000 of the
$100,000 needed for a new building and broke ground in October, 2007.
My contribution
________________
($1,000+ donors will be
acknowledged with a plaque in the Fountain of Hope [15])
2. $100
– Provides a girl with a new metal bed, mosquito frame and netting, and
wood shelving in the new dormitory. (Mattresses bought
during last year’s “Bed for Reena” will be utilized.)
A total of 70 beds needed.
My contribution _________________
3. $3,000
– Playground equipment, swings, jungle gym, sliding board. Current equipment is badly rusted, has
many dangerous rough edges and needs to be replaced.
My contribution___________________
4. $600
– sports equipment for girls and neighborhood kids. Purchased during October
visit.
5. $3,000 -Concrete, posts and nets for
basketball court to be in field behind new building. Commitment: Kochi Rotary members during
visit.
6. $2,000
– Biofuel recycling system – uses human and kitchen waste to make gas
for cooking.
(Making Home of Hope “green.”)
My contribution _________________
7. $2,500
– solar panels for top of new building to provide warm water for bathing,
washing dishes. (Making Home of Hope “green.”) Commitment: Rich and Tonya
Campagna, Wilmington
8. $5,000
– English language lab – computers, desks, media for teaching,
electronic linking of computers.
My contribution ________________
9
. $5,000
– Media center – screen, projector, chairs, software for teaching
various subjects, K-10, plus for adult education.
My contribution _______________
10. $150–
Provides scholarships for 25 of the poorest neighborhood
children. Needed to provide quality education at Auxilium School, in which
Home of Hope is located and which many of the orphan girls attend. When poor Catholic neighborhood children
cannot afford tuition, they are still accepted, but the total amount for
educational needs necessarily goes down. (You will receive a picture and communication from your
scholarship student.)
My contribution________________
11. $450
--Inverter for Annex. When
electricity goes out, as it often does, girls have no light to study. Inverter stores electricity and then
powers lights in blackout. Purchased by Zurawsky family during October,
2007 visit.
12. $2,000 - A counselor, for a year, to
help traumatized girls to stabilize and adjust. Repressed memories
of their past haunt them and inhibit their ability to study, cope and live
a healthy life.
My contribution ________________
13. American teachers to provide
in-service training for the teachers (all subjects) at the orphanage’s
school.
I want to help train teachers, contact me:_____________
14. Intensive English language workshop
over whatever period of time you have available. Spoken English is crucial to the girls’ future. April-May, though the hottest time of
year in India, is also their vacation and a perfect time for a workshop. Also, a visit over the Christmas vacation
will work well.
Yes, I want to help by teaching English, contact me:________________
15. $8,000 – Fountain of Hope for front of
new building. Will feature a
mosaic of plaques with the names of all major donors. Stone benches and flowers will ring the
fountain, which will have Mary as a loving woman, in sari, holding girl’s
hand as the centerpiece.
My
contribution ___________________
16. $$$$$$
- Micro-loan fund for neighborhood outreach groups. The sisters have 15 “empowerment”
groups in the neighborhood and have many more applications than they can
fund. Repayable loans from
$100-$2,000 can launch a business.
Building a stall that sells food or purchasing a sewing machine so piecework
can be done at home are just two of many options.
My contribution:___________________
17. drive at an elementary school or
church to stock Home of Hope and Auxilium school library. All sorts of books are needed to
provide reading and enrichment material for the girls and school children. Right now, their library consists of a
few hundred very worn books. Yes,
I want to conduct a book drive, contact me:__________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Name:_____________________________________________ Address:_________________________________
City, State, ZIP:____________________________________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________________ Email:__________________________________________
For further information:
Paul Wilkes - U.S.
Coordinator - Home of Hope
1413 Hawthorne Road -
Wilmington NC 28403
910-815-0694 910-538-4544 (cell)
Make checks payable
to: Home of Hope
All donations are
fully tax deductible.
~~~~
Building Fund Grows -- It is hard
to believe but our Home of Hope girls must sleep in these crowded
conditions, on the concrete floor, in the assembly area of the Auxilium School, simply because there is no other place for
their ever-growing number. No girl in need is ever turned away.
But, with your generosity and that of churches in Aurora and
Indianapolis, Indiana, Worcester and Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, and in
Pleasant Hill, California, the fund for a new building is now at
$60,000 of the $100,000 construction cost. With faith in God -- and
you -- Home of Hope will break ground this fall, as soon as the monsoon
rains are past. "Off the floor and onto the ladder of life" is our
wish and dream for the Home of Hope girls.
Van -- when girls were sick or other transportation was
needed, the Sisters would have to go out into the street and flag down
a motorized rickshaw. An anonymous donor early this fall bought them a
good, used van.
Computers -- Computer literacy
is absolutely crucial to future employment. Home of Hope donors have
purchased eight computers and an LCD projector for training purposes.
New Building
Cost: $100,000 ($60,000 raised so far! Construction began November, 2007)
A general purpose building is badly needed. Right now, the majority of the orphanage girls sleep on the floor of the assembly area, as there is no other way to accommodate the ever-growing number of orphan girls who are taken in. Also, there is no proper place to put girls who are sick. This arrangement, of course, leads to the contracting and spreading of disease among small children.
How to help: Become one of the 100 "Wall of Fame" donors at $1,000. You or your group will receive a replica of the brick bearing your name that will be part of the "Wall of Fame" at the entrance of the building. (If a donation is received to cover the entire cost, the building will be dedicated in that person's name.)
A few of our supporters:
These gradeschoolers at Queen of Heaven parish in Cherry Hill, New Jersey wave Hello to the girls at Home of Hope. They raised $2,000, enough for two bricks in the "Wall of Fame." How about your school?
~~~~
Scholarship Help
Cost: $1,200 per year/$100 per month
Education is the key for a good future in the New India. Our older girls like Pinky (left) are motivated, disciplined and eager to learn. But funds are needed for their further education. The girls go to Junior College or advanced computer and secretarial school . Each scholarship will be conferred directly in your name and you will be able to communicate with the student and track progress.
How to Help: Sponsor a girl at $1,200 per year, $100 per month.
Pinky Nurani (above) is completing her first year of junior college , sponsored by one of our generous friends in New Jersey.
She writes:
I am trying my level best to study. I also have very good friends
here at junior college; they help me in many ways. Last week I attended a Youth Leadership seminar in Ernakulam. The
seminar was very good. I have been chosen as President of Youth in our school. All
these will help me grow in a better way. The sisters offered me all
opportunities at Home of Hope. I am very grateful to them. I want to study and grow and I dream
to have a normal life that of others.I sincerely thank you for coming to my life.
~~~~
Special(ized) Visitors
If you teach any grade or high school subject, especially English, Computer, or Business Practice, or have done any basic literary work, or if you are generally willing to work with our girls to improve their spoken and written English, you can be of valuable help. Persons specializing in Social work, Child Development, Child Psychology, Teacher Education and School Administration are also needed. These are only suggestions. Inquires about your field of specialization or intrest are welcomed. Special(ized) Visitors can be in residence at Home of Hope for 1-3 weeks. when you fly, at your expense, to Kochi you will be met at the airport and from then on you will have no expenses. You will sleep at the orphanage, eat with the staff, and engage in meaningful work.
Interested?: Contact Paul Wilkes, Home of Hope U.S. Coordinator, or find out more at www.homeofhopeindia.org
Testimonials
Reflections
of Home of Hope visitor Jeanne Phaneuf and Alex, her ten year old son,
from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - May 18, 2007
Where do I begin? Home of Hope is a place that enfolds everyone! Whether you're a young girl needing a place to call home or a volunteer from abroad, the Salesian sisters will welcome you in and take exceptional care of you. My ten-year son and I were treated so well by everyone; we felt like family. The girls blessed us with song upon our arrival and embraced us with love in the days that followed.
As a visitor to Home of Hope I was there to teach
self-confidence, goal setting, and self-esteem, commonly known as life
skills. Well, in one short week I learned more about life than I ever could have imagined. The harsh realities that these girls have had to face are heart-breaking. Everyone has a story. I am amazed at their ability to live in the moment and smile at the blessings of the day. Each one expresses so much joy it boggles my mind. Singing the hit songs of recent films, the girls' voices radiated the sound of spirit. Bhanu, Asha, and Bindu could be the next Idol.
As the kids were on their summer break, I joined their yoga class and
although I did well I was rather amusing because I had no idea what the
instructor was saying so I had to watch closely. I am glad I have done
yoga before. I did get singled out on the panting dog which brought on
rolling laughter with myself and the rest of the group.
A special time during our visit were the days leading up to the picnic at seaside in Kollam. The air vibrated with excitement and anticipation. Some girls had taken this trip many times, but only because they had been at the orphanage since they were very young. No complaints; they were happy to join in on this joyous day.
The bus pulled out at 5:15 a.m, and there was not a tired look on the bus other than maybe mine, which passed quickly. The sisters embraced the younger girls and cradled them for a few more hours rest. My
lap did not remain empty for longer either. Little Aishwariya climbed
up, snuggled in, put her head on my chest and slept till our arrival.
It was in that moment I knew it was going to be really hard to leave. Tears welled in my eyes, knowing I had only three days left. I turned my face to the window letting the breeze dry my tears, pushing those thoughts to the back of my mind. Denial at its best.
What I gave felt like nothing and really it is simple what these girls need: they want and crave love. The sisters are tremendous with them - don't get me wrong - but you do the math: nine sisters and up to seventy-five girls. Not a lot of cuddle time. The girls are all responsible for their own hygiene and laundry and not once did I hear the complaint, "I don't have anything clean to wear." They were on top of it.
Alex, my ten year old son played till he was exhausted then rested and played some more. Speaking English to the girls, teaching them new words and learning Malayalam at the same time. One
of my favorite moments is watching them play together, the only barrier
was not enough hours in a day for kids who seem to have a universal
language that bridges all gaps. Home of Hope was a highlight for both of us during our trip to India.
I took over the book The Seven Habits of Highly
Successful Teenagers and used it as a tool to help the girls see how
these traits can help them form a healthy personality. I
found I had to speak slowly as some of the girls might be able to write
English, but they do have difficulty speaking and comprehending. It was a small barrier that we overcame quickly. For
future visitors, I would say that you don't need to worry about
personal needs as you can buy pretty much anything you need in Kochi. What you can take along for the girls are any "girly" things, plus good picture books and story books in English, at all levels.
Saying good-bye was tough as saying goodbye to family is especially difficult when you don't know when you will see them next. God bless each one of them, as they are in my thoughts and prayers everyday. As I adjust back to my life in Canada, I have had to fight the urge to hop on the next plane and go back. Mother India embraces those who walk in love and help others and we were blessed to be apart of that embrace. May you follow your heart to Binny Road and tell them I say "Hi!"
Warm Blessings,
Jeannie
Here is my blog site during the rest of my travels.
http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Jeannie--s-piece-of-mind
~~~~
Here Is the latest news...and the latest messages from India....September 6, September 3, July 5, June 17th and June 19th.
The davis family in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts is building a big, covere d badly-needed shed at Home of Hope. The shed will shelter the girls during the monsoon, and allow them to dry their clothes -- they were going around "damp" for half the year. Here's Bob, Lillian,7; Martin,8; Aimee, and Natalie,5.
Check out these snazzy band uniforms!...well, the students at christ the king school in Pleasant Hill, california, are raising mon ey to buy uniforms, bugles, drums, and all sorts of instruments for the home of hope all-girls marching band! they've already raised $700 with a car wash and are determined to reach the $2,100 needed. Go for it, Christ the King!
Dear Sayip Uncle and Friends of Home of Hope, (September 6, 2007)
Thanks for finding a person to do the shed. I think we can explain about this to you when you come over here. Home of Hope is finding a home in many American hearts ! God has a plan for every one and everything. It is the wish/will
of God that you and your friends should become partners in the works
of God specially with regard to Home of Hope(Prathyasha Bhavan).
All of us are praying for all our helpers. Today our superiors from Bangalore
came here to see and fix the correct place for our building. There are
little changes in the plan for better construction and utilization of
the land and building. According to them the present plan is better
arranged and it will remain as dormitories, study, refectory, toilets,
small kitchen etc. for our children. Thus we will have the new
building for children of the orphanage. Mr. Paul Raj
our consultant too was present. They measured the land and positioned
what should be, where and how etc. They have done a good job. Now we
can proceed with our preliminary works getting the necessary
permissions from the authorities. So when you come we hope to have everything ready to begin with. Waiting for your arrival.
With lots of love and affection.
--Sr. Anna Thayil
Dear Sayip Uncle and Friends of Home of Hope, (September 3, 2007)
So this time when you come to Home of Hope in October, uncle, you will have a few more new faces. I thought the government was sending two children, but when they came here they were four in all. Susy, 16 years; Shenzy, 7 years; Suchitra 12, years; Surya, 8 years. We shall embrace them all in our growing family.
Banu Priya (on left, for whom a scholarship fund has been started by three women in California) is studying well and she is in the Xth class. (In India, high school stops at 10th grade.) She is working very hard and wants to come out in flying colours ! She will then go on to higher studies.
"Thank you so much for the full scholarships for Rajeswari (see picture below) and Preethi Babu (on right) (two couples in California stepped forword to pay for a full year's scholarship for each girl). You cannot imagine how much this means in their lives. Their future is so much brighter now."
Our Sajini (a scholarship has been started for her by another California woman) is now studying in Vijayawada. When I called Sajini to tell her of the scholarship, she was very "boosted up."
Sajini's  life has been difficult; her mother has mental problems and is in a corporation settlement. She does not recognize her child. Sajini feels a lot for it. Her mother was a beggar when Sajini was a baby. Police caught and brought her to the settlement, no sign of having a child in hand. The authorities asked her to throw away all the rags. She threw the bundle of rags aside.
After sometime they saw a movement in the bundle of old clothes, when looked a baby girl was found. This child was given to us 15 years back. Now we have a beautiful young lady of 16 years. Sajini, very sensitive and wants to study, wants to look after the mother. Mother is locked in the rooms as she is violent sometimes. They would put her out, but does not speak as she has forgotten to speak. Now and then we go to see her in the Relief Settlement. We can help Sajini. I will send her photo soon.
Uncle Joseph Rooney (a New Jersey man who is providing a scholarship) has sent the photos of his daughters and grand children. I shall forward this to Pinky (his scholarship student, now in junior college). She is doing well. She has taken the Science Group. Though it is a little tough, she is doing her best to study. The sister in charge and her friends help her, make her understand the lessons taught. She is very happy there. She is now with normal family children and that is good. So let her grow with new experience of having a beautiful life over there.
Thanks a lot for your efforts and above all your love towards these children. With lots of love to all from all of us Sr. Anna Thayil, sisters and Children
Dear Friends: Loving greetings to you from Home of Hope, India. Today we got the result of community college exams, such as Nursery Teachers Training and Secretarial Practice. There were 34 girls from our orphanages who sat for the exam and all of them passed. They worked so hard and studied diligently. Thank you very much for the prayers. Most of the girls are already employed. They will be coming back on 15th August for the Past Pupils' meeting.
 In Secretarial Practice course our girl, Nisha, received the highest mark.
We are really proud of her.
Thinking of you and praying for you,
With love and prayers
Sr.Thresia A
Dear Sayip Uncle and friends of Home of Hope,
Thanks a lot for all that you are to us. We have received the cheque for Pinky Nurani. Pinky is going to Kattappana and Preethi Babu and Rajeswari (below) are going to Kunnamangalam for the Junior College. 
At the beginning this is a great help for Pinky specially. Bhavani is going to join a regular college in Edakochi. Classes will begin for Asha (Airhostess) on 25th June. Anjali will be going for her Nursing Course in Bangalore. Laura and Nissy P.K. completed their course (Secretarial Practice) in Bangalore and started working. They are very very happy, that they could earn little money of their own.
A few more have joined our band here. One Archana - a run away - due to the ill treatment of her parents are landed in Prathyasha Bhavan. She is said to be in the Xth class. Now must find out her roots and story. Others who came are Nisha - mother passed away and father left the children to the mercy of some relatives -, Maneesha and Majisha in the VII th and Vth class respectively.
These children need a lot of love treatment. Kindly have them in your prayers too, so that our presence for them should be appealing and pleasant, efficacious and effective.
I have heard about your coming over here. Also some of your friends. Most welcome to all to Home of Hope. Hope the water project will come in near future. Pinky is sitting near me and telling thank God we have so many friends in America!
with lots of love,
Sr. Anna Thayil, Sisters and children
Today (june 19) when I opened the website, there was something surprising. The last letter which I sent. I was very happy to see Rajeswari standing all smiling in the site. Sending her beautician course for nearly two months did a lot of good to this child. She gained self confidence. She is completely a different person now. So much of an attachment and belongingness to us. Ready for any kind of work in the Annex. She is a very loving person. Educating her she will have a bright future.
Thanks and God bless you.
Regards,
Sr. Anna Thayil, Sisters and Children.
~~~~
For more information on how you can help, contact Home of Hope's U.S. coordinator,
Paul Wilkes at 910-815-0694 or at
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Thank you.
Please make tax-deductible donations payable to: “Home of Hope India-U.S.”
and mail to:
Home of Hope
c/o Paul Wilkes
1413 Hawthorne Road
Wilmington NC 28403
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