  Bassamma (age 6)Background She was deaf and in need of specialist help Current Situation She has received her hearing aid, and can now hear as well as learning sign language. She is a very bright girl and picking up words and sign language very fast, but needs to be in a specialist school maybe in Kerala. But most schools insist on a parent or carer there as well to assist with the child and learn sign language, which Basamma's parents aren't willing to do. |
  Bhima (age 11?)Background He had a problem with his leg, and couldn't walk, running around on his hands. Current Situation He has had the leg operation and can now walk with a frame. When the swelling goes down he will need callipers and physio.
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| Esther (age 16) Background Youngest sister of Lolitha (now a trained nurse) and Thabitha. She had lived on a rock with her sisters and mother (now died), until Shadrach and Gladys built them a small house in Raichur. She had been staying in Bangalore, but found the situation difficult and moved to a village near Raichur, staying with relatives. She doesn't want to move back to her mum's house. Current Situation She has not yet completed her vital school-leaving exam, but is taking it next month, although her maths is not up to standard. She doesn't know what to do next - maybe some form of vocational training. |
| Shilpa (age 15) Background She comes from a disturbed family - her father is an alcoholic and her mother is very weak. Current Situation She lives 2 hours away from Bangalore at Koler in a mission school, where she has about a year to go. |
| Mallya (age 10?) Background Through lack of stimulation as a baby, Mallya was unable to speak. He is one of 5 boys, 2 of whom have a similar problem to Mallya. Current Situation He lives in Bangalore during term time in a Christian home. The help he is receiving has enabled him to begin to speak words and a few phrases. Through their child being helped his parents are also helping themselves more. They have moved to a different home (next door to Ningamma) using bricks and land provided by the Government. (A lot of people sell the bricks and take the money.) |
| Yellama (12 years old) Background She suffers from night blindness due to bad diet when younger and this will continue to get worse. Yellama is gifted in Indian dancing. Current Situation She currently lives with Shobna (Shadrach and Gladys's daughter) and is trying to catch up on her schooling, which she needs prayer about (she is getting extra tuition). She is Maria's cousin. |
 Maria (11 years old) Background (Maarima 'Devil Goddess' which is not as strange as it sounds - she was named after the goddess out of fear.) She is the oldest child in her family, with two younger brothers. She was rejected by her family because she was 'arrogant'! She is very bright and her frustrated parents didn't know how to handle her. (Sounds like a typical teenager!) Her grandfather is a leper, so there is also a stigma attached to the family. Current Situation She now lives with Gladys in Bangalore in term time, and although 3 school years behind, is catching up fast. Her English is very good, and she is the first girl in the village studying all classes in English. She reads the Bible each morning and prays for her parents to 'come to the truth'. |
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Ningamma (age 10?)
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| Pushpa Background Pushpa was converted from a high caste Hindu background, and rejected by her family. Her father has since died but her mother has become a Christian. She has studied at Bible College for two years, and wants to do one more, although the college wants her to do two, so she is not sure. She has a passion for prayer and fasting, and serving the Lord. She has worked on the Vacation Bible School and loves leading youth discipleship groups. Current Situation Pushpa is trying to ascertain what the Lord wants her to do - go back to college or stay with this or other projects - although feels that as a single woman there are restrictions. She needs to look after her mother who is currently with one of her brothers. (They are culturally meant to care for her, but don't because of her change in religion.) She is leading this year's VBS.
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 Sangster and AshaBackground Sangter is Shadrach and Glady's son. He married Asha (who spent a year in England with Careforce) last year. Sangster has a degree from Bible college and Asha an Msc in Physics. Current Situation They are currently committed to working at Neerekshe especially with the children in the area of pastoral care and with the church and school. |
 Thabitha (age 19)Background Middle sister of Lolitha (now a trained nurse) and Esther. She had lived on a rock with her sisters and mother (now died), until Shadrach and Gladys built them a small house in Raichur. Thabitha was married at 14 and widowed at 16, which in this culture can make life difficult. Current Situation She lives in the nearby village with her sister and relatives, and also in her mother's home. She has recently trained as a nursery nurse and is working with Neerekshe, but would like to train as a teacher. |
