Recent Events:

 

05/17/2008

Viramani was brought to the orphanage by his sister this week. She is working in Bangalore as a maid. He was previously staying inside a restaurant and working there as a cleaner of dishes. In his family there are four sisters who are in a destitute way and, unable to look after their youngest brother, thought to bring him to Arunai Childrens Home. He has settled in well with us and greets one and all with his engaging smile.

04/20/2008

Four year old Sabina, of Muslim extraction, was given over to the orphanage this week. She is the second child to her family. The father fled shortly after her birth, deeming the girl to be an unlucky omen. So far she has provided only luck, happiness, and smiles for us at the Arunai Childrens Home. Though she speaks solely in Urdu, Tamil and English are coming quickly to her.

 

02/22/2008

The advisors committee welcomes Bill Wilson from the Capitola California to its membership. Bill has shown a sustained interest in the management and decision making of the orphanage. Among other activities, Bill arranged a benefit concert in Capitola to help fund our project and increase the public awareness of non-profit organization such as the ACH. Thank you Bill for your time and hard work.

 

02/22/2008

After a careful review of the land purchased last year January for the construction of a new orphanage dormitory, the water capacity was found lacking and it has became necessary to choose another piece of land. We discovered an ideal 1-acre parcel 8 kilometers from Tiruvannamalai which includes the necessary ingredients for future construction. Negotiations are now underway to sell off the old land and with the proceeds purchase the new parcel.

 

11/7/2007

The Arunai Children's Home celebrated Depavali, the indian festival of lights, with the traditional exhibition of fireworks and fanfare. The children discharged their pyrotechnic duties commendably, burning through a bumper crop of 50 sparklers and countless whirling flame-spitters. Afterwards they retired to a rooftop from where could be observed the rockets exploding over the Yogi Ramsuratkumar and Ramana Ashrams. Happy Depavali to all of you out there, wherever you are.

 

8/7/2007

With the recent change in weather from the monsoon, many in Tiruvannamalai have fallen sick. Among those taken  ill was one of our own, Satish. The youngest of the orphans- we suspect his tender age may have predisposed him to the contagion. After roumor of his illness circulated, some relatives previously unknown to us  began arriving to show their concern. There were those that wished Satish be returned to a family environment and were willing to make the neccesary contributions to bring that goal to fruition. After a week in the intensive care unit of the Rangamal Hospital, Satish made a full recovery and following his dishcharge was given over to the care of relatives. We hope that a happy and bright future awaits him amidst his kinfolk.

7/10/2007
Unfortuanate circumstances neccesitated the Arunai Childrens Home intervene to save the life of a two day old baby girl. Born as a twin, she was the seventh girl in a family of sharecroppers. The persistence of the institution of dowry in India has meant that girl children are frequently held in mixed regard, and if it is the seventh girl in a family without boys, than that mixed regard is expressed in no uncertain terms- death by poisoning, neglect or exposure. The family threatened to proceed along these lines if no volunteers came forward to accept the baby. Though the orphanage is ill-equiped to handle the care of so nascient a child, we will do our best to welcome her into the world until a more sustainable living agangment can be found.

5/30/2007
Two weeks after the adoption of Kannan and Dhannalakshmi by kinsmen, we received a phone call from a determined Dhannalakshmi expressing her resolve to return to the orphanage.  Further inquiries discovered that brother and sister were being put to work in the fields by their relatives and that education was not available. In light of these unsatisfactory home conditions it was decided to offer them the possibility of returning to the orphanage should their relations consent. This was obtained and Kannan and Dhannalakshmi have returned to the orphanage and will continue to profit from care therein.

5/25/2007
With a mind to filling the vacancies created by the adoption of Kannan and Dhannalakshmi, the orphanage accepted two new children last week. Ajit and Nirmala arrived on the tail of misfortune. Their uncle, who had taken them into his home following their mothers death, was bit by a snake and perished shortly thereafer. Through local contacts the orphanage heard of this unhappy event and extended the two children a place in our facility. It is hoped that they will soon find surcease from their sorrows and we welcome them wholeheartedly.

4/15/2007
Last week the orphanage saw the departure of two of its star personalities, Kannan and Dhannalakshmi , both of whom had been with the Arunai Children’s Home since its inception. Our staff wish both of the children well in their new circumstance. To fill their places, two children will be selected from a waiting list and their bio’s added to the web site shortly.

03/12/2007

Through the gift of two British nationals, the orphans spent the weekend at the nearby beach of Mahabalapuram. For all the children it was their first time at the ocean and occasioned many gleeful smiles and water revelry. Though they do not know how to swim, this proved no impediment to their frolicking in the waves and playing kickball with the supervisors. We salute Katrina for making this trip possible and providing an experience the orphans will not soon forget.

03/02/2007

An old man suffering severe dehydration and malnutrition was discovered near the residence of an orphanage advisor. Left there by his family to perish from exposure, the steering committee of the orphanage decided to sponsor his recovery and admit him to a private hospital where his condition could stabilize. Though he remains unable to speak and in a semi-comatose state it is hoped that within ten days he will be fit  to leave the hospital. At which point we will look for temporary shelter for him neighboring an Ashram( Hindu Sanctuary) that serves food to the poor.