subject: What Happen of This (HIV) Positive Children's Future? [print this page] "Now with treatment options increasing dramatically, the life span of HIV-infected have also gone up, making us think of their future too," says Fr Mathew Perumpil, director of Sneha Care Home. "When they grow up and become sexually active, they become potentially dangerous in transmitting the virus. Initially, we used to send our children to nearby schools. Once a teacher in the school noticed one of our boys growing intimate with a girl from his class and alerted us. We were totally unprepared to handle such a situation. That is when we started this new venture with 20 children where they are given value-based education," he adds. Now SCH houses 83 children who are below 12 years of age, including 34 girls. Most of them were orphaned due to the deadly HIV and many are with single parent. "We choose kids from houses where the environment is not conducive for their healthy growth. We take away the burden of bringing up the children from suffering families," says Perumpil. Children are educated at the Shining Star School on their premises which ensures a good value system. The school, based on National Open School Curriculum, focuses on encouraging creativity and auditing the aptitude of these children. "We want them to enter a good profession which is less physically taxing and that will define their self-esteem to live a life full of hope and meaning," says Perumpil. The tiny bundles of energy that run around here prove these points. With a smile on their lips and stars in their eyes, they are surging ahead in life. Ten-year-old Varalakshmi wants to become a nurse when she grows up. Ask her why: "I want to take care of others," she quips. Puneet Kumar, 11, wants to be a farmer and is already willing to look after the vegetable garden at SCH. To ensure that these kids don't miss anything in life, SCH sends them to foster homes for holidays. "We identify and screen the family before sending the children," says Perumpil. With all the care and affection from SCH, these children are better equipped to face their future with a smile.
What Happen of This (HIV) Positive Children's Future?
By: shyam thapa
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