Vocational Skills 40 Indian Orphan school drop-out

We Salute Karthik

Karthik, is now 22 years living with HIV is an inspiration that many of us can learn.                                            

Karthik is the only one living with HIV in his family. He was 12 years old, when he came to know about his HIV status. It was a shattering moment for him, because he had not heard about HIV until he was tested in a private hospital and was then referred to the government hospital for free treatment.

Karthik 's life was around bricks and mud, as his family was one of the families of bonded labor in the brick -making industry. Being the second and the only male child in the family, his parents had great hopes on him. He was smart in his academics and a good orator. Life was smooth, until HIV status was known.

The only cause he could attribute to his HIV infection was when he was given an injection in a local clinic, where the needle was not sterilized. He recollects that his painful moment was not the knowledge of his HIV status, but the questions the Govt hospital counselor asked especially around his sexual behaviors.

He expressed that "They did not see me as a 12 year old child, but instead questioned me as if they were interrogating a criminal and that was the day I hated myself. It was my mother who comforted and was always awake as she was scared I might kill myself".

Within few months of his diagnosis, the field worker of Buds of Christ met Karthik and motivated him to join the support group for children living with HIV; he found self-worth and gained confidence in himself. But later the side effects of the ARV medication caused growth in his chest region, which again caused him to discontinue schooling.

He was encouraged by Buds of Christ to pursue course in computers and designing and worked as a volunteer with our center. Now he has joined a photo studio and is working as a photographer and a designer. It was a proud moment for us when he recently made a contribution of INR. 10,000/- (USD 180 approx) towards land purchasing for “Buds Adolescent Learning Center” and expressed "I have received a lot and now it is my time to give back so that many more children like me will be blessed"

We thank you donors, for helping us to empower orphan children with vocational skills that would give them a better future.