Bhaskar Karthik (OK-291)

Date of Birth:  October 21, 2007

Date of HOINA admission:  June 1, 2010

 Karthik parents were married in January 2007. His father works at a hotel as a cook’s helper. His mother worked as a house maid and as a construction worker until Karthik was born. His father is an alcoholic and physically abuses his mother. He sold all their possessions to buy alcohol. Me Kamakshi, a HOINA housemother suggested that Karthik come live at HOINA to protect him from his father.

Karthik likes dogs. His favorite color is red. He likes playing ball.

Chukka Ravi (OK-290)

Date of Birth:  unknown (estimated age 8 years old)

Date of HOINA admission:  March 22, 2010

Ravi was found begging in Kothavalasa by Ms. Subhara, one of the HOINA housemothers. He did not know where his parents and siblings live. His right hand and right leg have been affected by polio. Ms. Subhara asked Ravi to come to HOINA which hi gladly did. We have been enquiring about his parents, but cannot find them.

Ravi likes tigers. His favorite color is pink. He likes playing on the swings, and would like to be a policeman when he is grown.

Chintala Ravi Teja (OK-289)

Date of Birth:  December 25, 2004

Date of HOINA admission:  March 3, 2010

Ravi Teja is one of four children in his family. His father was a herdsman. He suffered from jaundice, and died in September 2008. His mother went to live with his grandmother, but could not care for four children. A local pastor suggested she bring Ravi Teja and his brother Lokesh to HOINA.

Ravi Teja likes tigers. His favorite color is green. He likes playing cricket. He is studying first standard in the local school in Darivadi Kothapalem, and would like to be a policeman when he is grown.

Chintala Lokesh (OK-288)

Date of Birth:  12/25/03

Date of HOINA admission:  March 3, 2010

Lokesh is one of four children in his family. His father was a herdsman. He suffered from jaundice, and died in September 2008. His mother went to live with his grandmother, but could not care for four children. A local pastor suggested she bring Lokesh and his brother Ravi Teja to HOINA.

 Lokesh likes lions and deer. His favorite colors are red and green. He likes playing kabaddi and cricket. He is studying second standard in the local school in Darivadi Kothapalem, and would like to be a policeman when he is grown.

The project to replace the windows at the girls’ home is underway. They removed the termite infested windows in Darlene’s apartment and then realized they did not have the right size for the replacements. With open spaces where the windows should be, the birds can come in anytime they want. Still Darlene never seems to lose her enthusiasm for India.

 The Penn State students arrived safely and jumped right into life at HOINA. They love India, the food, and all the children. There are six women and four men in the group this year.

Lalitha’s parents were married in an arranged marriage. Her father fell from a palm tree he was cutting and was killed. Lalitha’s mother approached HOINA and asked us to care for her.

Lalitha’s favorite animal is an elephant.  Her favorite color is red.  She likes skipping, and her favorite food is Dhum Briyani. She is studying at the government school in Mangalapam, and would like to be a doctor when she is grown.

Janaki’s parents were married in an arranged marriage. Her father fell from a palm tree he was cutting and was killed. Janaki’s mother approached HOINA and asked us to care for her.

Janaki’s favorite animal is a tiger.  Her favorite color is white.  She likes playing cabadi.  Her favorite food is Chapati. She is in the fifth standard in the government school in Mangalapam, and would like to be a teacher when she is grown.

Kumari’s father was a Christian and her mother a Muslim. Their parents did not approve of the marriage and disassociated from them. Her father was an alcoholic and was physically abusive. Three months after Kumari was born, her mother left with another man. Kumari’s father ignored her, so the grandmother tried to care for her, but could not. The parent of another HOINA student noticed their condition, and brought Kumari to HOINA.

Kumari’s favorite animal is a cat.  Her favorite color is white.  She likes playing with a ball. She is in second standard in the government school in Darivadi Kothapalem, and would like to be  doctor when she is grown.

 We have received over half the funds needed to replace the windows damaged by termites, so they have started getting quotes, and hope to complete this project over the summer.

Several of the cows are expecting. With their calves we will have 18 cows. We are mixing the cows’ milk with the soy milk.

Darlene will head back to India the end of June. The Penn State students will travel to India the end of July.

 Thanks once again for your support and prayers, they have made all the difference in the life of HOINA’s children.

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.