Born October 9, 2007

Admitted to HOINA November 15, 2009

Family Background: Pavan’s parents married through an arranged marriage in 2005. They had a daughter, Manasa, in 2006, and Pavan was born in 2007. Shortly after Pavan’s birth, his father became ill and died of cancer in 2008. Pavan’s mother, Lakshmi, moved with her children to live with her parents and began doing labor in the fields, but the wage for this work was very small and she could not support her children. In 2009, Pavan and his sister Manasa were admitted to HOINA.

Pavan has brown eyes, and is described as very smiley and active by the HOINA staff.

S. Muttu Nayagan (Daniel) (OK 274)

Born December 24, 2000

Admitted to HOINA August 17, 2008

Family Background: Muttu’s parents were married in 1997. Unfortunately, Muttu’s father was an alcoholic and was abusive to his wife and three children. In 2008, his mother left the family, and his father neglected the children’s care. Neighbors took care of the children until the mother of another HOINA child brought Muttu to be admitted to HOINA.

Muttu’s favorite color is red and his favorite animal is a tiger. He loves the game of cricket, and has plans to become a teacher.

Mathangi Iswarya (T-211)

Born September 21, 2005

Admitted to HOINA February 22, 2008

Family Background: Iswarya’s father is an alcoholic. Her mother struggled to care for Iswarya and her twin sister and brother, but her wages as a domestic servant were not enough to support the family of five. Iswarya and her twin sister were admitted to HOINA’s care in 2008.

Iswarya has black eyes and is an active girl with a lovely smile.

Mathanga Neelima (T-210)

Born September 21, 2005

Admitted to HOINA February 22, 2008

Family Background: Neelima’s father is an alcoholic. Her mother struggled to care for Neelima and her twin sister and brother, but her wages as a domestic servant were not enough to support the family of five. Neelima and her twin sister were admitted to HOINA’s care in 2008.

Neelima is a fun-loving, smiling child.

Born April 7, 2006

Admitted to HOINA August 14, 2009

Family Background: Esther’s parents were married in 2000, and had their first daughter Mounica in 2002.  After Esther was born in 2006, Esther’s father left and started a new family. Esther’s mother, Mariyamma, worked as a housemaid, but her wages were not enough to support the needs of her two daughters. Esther and Mounica were admitted to HOINA in 2009.

Esther has brown eyes and an adorable smile.

Ramadu, a teacher at the boys’ home, was very sick with hepatitis, but is showing much improvement. He will have to be on a special diet and medication for some time, but everyone is happy he is doing so well.

 The boys went on a day trip up into the Araku Mountains, and the girls were taken to Vizak to the beach. The girls love their new playground, which is much larger than the old one they had at the old girls’ home.

We are looking for a plastic surgeon in India to operate on a Nicki, who was severely burned when her father set fire to the mother, and Nicki ran to hug her mother and was burned also. She was very timid when she first came, but has been feeling more outgoing lately.

 We are starting to get more native Indians offering to volunteer and help at the homes in India. Many are bilingual with professional backgrounds, and come to help over their vacations. They have been a blessing to the children and staff.

The construction of the new boys’ home continues with an estimated completion date of July. The boys have been helping with the construction over the summer school break. The kitchen and dining room are not finished, so we are preparing all the food in the girls’ home kitchen, and transporting it to the boys’ home nursery which is currently set up as the dining hall.

Many of the older girls chose to stay in the Chennai area with family rather than more with us to the new home.  We currently have openings at the new girls’ home, and have been receiving 20 applications a week for the openings. The boys’ home is almost full, so we are unable to accept all the boys that have been applying.

After two years of red tape, perseverance, and divine help Darlene has finally gotten her visa straightened out. She now has one that allows for multiple entry and no limits on time spent in India.

We continue to search for English speaking staff for the new girls’ home, as some of the prior staff did not move with us.

We are currently averaging 12 hours of electricity a day. We have a back up generator, but it is not sized properly for the two homes it now must serve.

The children are all doing well, and have started back to school after their summer holiday.

The cows have outgrown the shed we had in place, so we are building a larger one. We are also dehorning them, so they don’t poke each other and fight. Life is never dull at the HOINA homes.

If you know of someone who would like to receive our video, or if you did not receive a copy, please let me know, and I will gladly send one.

As always, we are deeply grateful for your support and prayers.

We have purchased 6 dairy cows and two calves. Five of the cows are pregnant so we will soon have 13 cows.  We are excited to have fresh mile for the children and hopefully some extra milk to sell.

The staff at the boys’ home is asking for a motorbike to run errands. They want to sell the two auto rickshaws we have from the boys’ and girls’ homes, and use the money to buy a rickshaw that will have a big space in the back to haul supplies. That way we won’t have to take the van when we go grocery shopping.

Darlene will not be heading to India until February this year, so she can oversee the moving of the girls in April. The construction continues at a steady pace now that the rainy season is over. We are hopeful that by moving the boys’ and girls’ homes to the same location we will be able to operate more efficiently.

We are currently working on purchasing dairy cows. They will provide milk for the children, and hopefully provide income as we sell the extra milk. We currently have funds for 5 cows, and hope to have 10 by the end of 2009. We are researching which breeds will provide the most milk and do well in the Indian climate. Darlene has been talking to people at Heifer Project International to see if they can help us.

While Bruce was in India this summer, he brought a colleague along who is producing a video about HOINA. The video includes interviews with the children and staff. We hope to have this completed soon, and think it will help us spread the word about HOINA to potential new donors.