I would like to tell you about one of our boys
While filing and printing children's biodata today I came across the story of H.....
He is 15 years old and comes from a little village near the town of Bobbili in Vizianagaram District. He was an only child.
When he was four years old both his parents died of HIV/AIDS. Both of his parents had worked for a daily wage as casual labourers - which means they would present themselves in the place where unemployed people go to look for work. It is not a building and is usually a crossroads or a tea stall somewhere in the village or town. Rather like the biblical account of the vineyard workers they go and hope that someone will hire them. People who are desparate have to look for work even if they are very ill - for example even if they are having a bad day with their HIV/AIDS.
After both of his parents died H's fathers' relatives didn't want to look after H. His mother's sister took H into her home and she looked after him with her own children.
H went to school every day and he studied well. He is an intelligent child and was always top in his class. However, when he entered the 10th class he was often sick, got fevers, and had coughs and colds. His aunt took him to a doctor for a check up, saying that he had been unwell for months. H had various tests, including a blood test and he was found to be suffering from HIV.
H took three months off school when he heard that he was HIV positive, He felt broken. Despite his depression and worry he went to school just to sit the National exams at the the end of 10th class in April and May. When the exams results came out last month H found out that he had passed with 89%. H was not pleased with that mark. He felt that due to the three months leave the marks in his matriculation had been hampered.
One of the Brighter Future Outreach Workers found H at the Government Hospital department where HIV/AIDS patients go to collect their anti-retroviral medicine. He enquired about H and came to know his history. he brought the matter to the Director of Brighter Future India and the Director joined H into Thompson House. H had regular counseling and now he is feeling much better and has resigned himself to the fact that he has HIV.
H has been registered and admitted to 1st year of Intermediate College to do his 10+2 . H is joining the English Medium stream at one of the best colleges in the district - Gayitri College.
Brighter Future is now supporting him, emotionally, educatinally, medically nd nutrition-wise. H is now happy and pleased that he can continue his studies.
We would like to find two sponors for H - one to sponsor his accommodation and board, and the other to sponsor his college fees. Each work out at about £250 a year.
