Vocational Skills 40 Indian Orphan school drop-out

Life has always been a challenge for children living with chronic health condition and severe in the cases of orphan and semi-orphan children. In the 70 children living with HIV under the follow up of Buds of Christ, some have been encouraged to continue education, however some due to lack of proper support systems and in few cases their health condition have been an obstacle for them to continue their education. In such cases Buds of Christ has tried place them in short term vocational trainings that are job oriented.

There are also instances of very young children becoming drop outs due to ill-health condition and side effects of ARV. Recently four such children have dropped out of school due to treatment for tuberculosis. However these children are closely followed  as part of the Buds vocational open school and provided training to read, write the basics in native language and computer skills. They also are involved in cultural programmes and competitive events within the organisation to be encouraged

Radhika (name changed) is an HIV positive orphan child looked after by her father who is also living with that condition. As Radhika's mother died early, the care was very less and so she was very often affected by infections that affected her from going to school regularly. Her school was not closely located to her village and travelling became strenuous with her weakened immunity and so she was out of school for almost 3 years.

She was identified by Buds of Christ in 2015 and initially supported with counselling and gradually was involved in support group sessions for children living with HIV. Later she was taken into Buds of Christ Vocational Open school and trained with basic reading and writing skills, computer skills, and cooking skills by the teachers at Buds of Christ. It was also realised being  away from school, she had no social interactions throughout the day and coming to the open school developed her literacy and social skills too. This has encouraged her to get back to normal stream. Currently she is at home practising the language skills as she is on Tuberculosis medication and will be reintegrated to school in the next academic year. She had also participated in poem writing competitions held for kids in the centre and had won second prize in it. She has also been involved in motivational camps for children with such condition

The vocational school has helped Radhika be equipped for the next academic  year and this gradual phase of growth has been through the support of Global giving friends in the lives of children like Radhika.

Murugan has lost both his parents and is currently looked after by his aged aunt and uncle. His aunt was a rag-picker but always encouarged Murugan to continue schooling. When he was 12 years old, he was affected by TB and so was falling sick often and stopped his schooling. After a gap of two years with the intervention of Buds of Christ, he was placed back at school. Though he went to school for few weeks he could not cope-up with the studies and dropped out of school.

Then he was placed in the Buds Vocational Open school where basic mathemetical and langauage skills were provided. This not only helped him to learn, but also encouarged him to take responsibility in his own health. Until then, he was very casual on treatment. After one year, he was assessed for his interest in mechanical and electrical work and has been now placed as a Auto-Electrician in a private vocational training institute. We wish Murugan a very best for his future as an auto-electrician. He has gained confidence in himself and now has the ability to take up his profession though he was once a school drop-out.

He is now very happy and also has encouarged another school drop out boy to join his institute in the forth coming year.