Food, Shelter and School for Orphans in India

Bill Brower is a Field Program Officer with GlobalGiving who is visiting our partners’ projects throughout South and Southeast Asia. On June 8th & 9th he visited the Little Hearts Orphanage in Nellore, India. His “Postcard” from the visit:

The facilities at HEARTS’ orphanage seemed basic but adequate for the 42 children currently living there. As the kids grow they will need more space and they’re hoping to add a floor to address this. The children, all from the “untouchable” class, looked healthy and appeared happy. I saw the home at about half capacity as many of the children go to stay with other family members in the summer for 5-10 days (Little Hearts provides transportation money and pocket money to do so).

According to the founder CP Kumar, about 80% of the children are “full” orphans having lost both parents, and 60-70% of the children have lost parents due to AIDS. The orphanage usually doesn’t take in children who are HIV-positive because according to CP Kumar they are “too big of a risk”. They have 2 boys and 1 girl who are infected.

While the project description claims Little Hearts is working to fight the stigma against HIV/AIDS, it sounds like this is not actively being done. They have taken women to get tested, but it appeared that the organization does little beyond this and support the children.

This is a highly founder-driven organization and CP Kumar was open with their financial records. Other organizations in the area steal 90% of the money they receive according to CP Kumar and so he was eager to show me they were part of the other 10%. He even showed me bank account details on his mobile phone. Everything appeared to be in order (though I’m far from a certified accountant).

The true test of the success of an orphanage in my opinion is how well the children transition out of that environment as they get to be adults. HEARTS is too young of an organization to tell, but there is little doubt that these children are in a better situation than they would be otherwise.

First of all, we would like to wish all of our donors a Happy and Blessed New Year'10 greetings from the heart of HEARTS.

We have been running the "little HEARTS orphanage" successfuly since February 2005.

Children are growing faster at LH! 5 years ago children who were in 5th class now 10th class and after annual examinations, 2 boys will go to college studies which are expensive.

One of our boys, Ramu who is studying 9th class won the first prize and a Memento among 800 children at District level Chess Competetion who works in local salon for holidays and earns money for his younger sister who is staying at Government's Girls Hostel.

Special Collector, one of government higher officers and his Doctor wife visited LH and presented a bicycle for older boys. Steven (Manager) taking care for all children and paying more attention on studies because annual examinations begins in the months of March for 10th class and April for 1st to 9th class children. 2 Tutors regulary attending for tution every evening from 5:30PM to 7:30PM to teach all subjects.

NEWS: A few days ago 13 years old new boy joined with Little Hearts who left home 2 months ago whose mother died and father got remarried. His name is Munindhra and has been working as a child labourer. This boy Munindhra wants to attend school and be admitted into LH. I am happily agreed and invited Munindra to join with LH. Now he is very happy and excited to join with our children.

This after noon I have received a phone call from a Medical Shop owner about a 4 years old boy who was at the Medical shop and missed from his parents. The Medical Shop owner Mr.Suresh requested us to take the 4 years old boy to Little Hearts. Soon after his call, immediately I called my brother to rescue the boy.