Rahul's Cheerful Christmas

The loss of her husband took a great toll on her. She later gave birth to Rahul, the long awaited son. Later she came to know that she was also HIV+. The news left this grief stricken mother numb.

The loss of her husband took a great toll on her. She later gave birth to Rahul, the long awaited son. Later she came to know that she was also HIV+. The news left this grief stricken mother numb.

Lakshmaya and Sita Devi are from Shadnagar a small hamlet in the district of Mehboobnagar, Andhra Pradesh. They have three daughters.

Lakshmaya contracted HIV, later transmitted it to his wife, Sita Devi, and after few days died of the disease. Sita Devi who was pregnant with a baby at the time, was left to take care of the children by herself. She gave birth to a son who was also HIV+.

After garnering enough courage, she took her children to be tested for HIV. The three girls’ results were negative while Rahul was tested positive. No words could console and comfort her. One day her crying stopped as she breathed her last. Her children had nowhere to go. Relatives tried helping them by keeping them under their care but they couldn’t do so for long as they were not well off.

Rahul’s uncle, Mahesh, took up the responsibility of taking care of the children. The girls were kept in a government school but there was no taker for Rahul as he was HIV+. Everyone was afraid lest people would come to know how his parents died. He was literally abandoned. One day, one of the relatives mentioned about an orphanage near Hyderabad which is supported by OBI. Rahul’s uncle brought him to the HIV kids’ home. Here Rahul found acceptance and love. He found kids of his age with whom he can play and be with. The home also provided for all his needs.  

It has been six months now since Rahul came to the home. He has been enrolled in a school and supported by OBI on a regular basis.

A Christmas party was conducted by OBI a few days back. Rahul can be seen enjoying himself along with his 23 other kids at the home