Program Highlight: Sahaya International

Sahaya – Derived from the word “help” in Sanskrit

Sahaya International is an organization dedicated to making a difference towards improving the quality of life in third world countries. It was founded in 1999 by Koen Van Rompay who felt moved into action after a trip to India. Sahaya International is working to change injustice by providing talented and innocent children with basic levels of comfort, respect and opportunities in their lives.

Through our Hope Walks program, two Hope Walks Davis events have been held to benefit Sahaya International. More than $16,800 after expenses has been raised since 2007 to support orphans cared for by Sahaya International in India. Funds from Hope Walks go to meet healthcare needs for HIV-infected orphans and to provide basic non-health care related support to many other orphans in their program.

Below is a recent update from Koen Van Rompay regarding three children that have been helped through the funds raised by Hope Walks.

Monisha age 12, was the second child in our rural area identified to be HIV positive, and the first person started on antiretrovirals. Her father died of AIDS when she was three. When her mother learned that she and Monisha were HIV-infected, she attempted to poison Monisha and committed suicide. Fortunately, Monisha was saved. She lived with her aged grandparents who struggled to care for her. In 2003, I met this very cheerful girl. After Sahaya International was able to explain to her grandfather that persons infected with HIV are not doomed to certain death within a few years, but could be cared for, they found a doctor who knew about pediatric HIV/AIDS. Unfortunately, her loving grandfather was hit by a passing car while traveling to the doctor and was immediately killed.

It has been a long road, but Monisha is now on antiretrovirals and her basic needs are met. Hope Walks funds are used for Monisha’s extra expenses, including travel to the medication center, simple medications, food supplements, etc. She is cared for by her grandmother and a nearby aunt. Monisha remains cheerful and finds joy in playing games.

In 2008, Monisha reported, “The [English] Dictionary is very useful to learn meanings to difficult words and I can also learn new vocabularies…[I have] a new bag to carry my school books and a new Desk to read and write at home comfortably. I am very thankful…to you too for all these support to my education. I am comfortably doing my school education now.”

After both of his parents died of AIDS many years ago, , now age 18, Pandian moved in with his grandmother. Pandian had struggled with depression since we met him in 2004. His grandmother was unable to give him the care that he needed and he was constantly battling opportunistic infections including tuberculosis and skin infections, dirty clothes and being solely responsible for his own health.

After encouragement from the Sahaya International staff and supporters, Pandian began taking his medications, including antiretrovirals. He now lives with an uncle who is able to care for him with the support from Sahaya International. In December, 2008, I saw him again, and he looks healthier with his skin and eye infections improving and significant growth. He looked a lot happier and smiles a lot now that he has hope once again. Witnessing his transformation between 2004 through 2008 has enlivened my hope as well.

In 2008 Pandian reported, “I am studying in the 11 Standard now. All in my family are taking care of me and while studying I am given extra care. I love studying and am happily preparing for my examinations.”

Kolanchimani, age 15, is cared for by his grandmother who lives nearby. At age 89, she works to make a living and cooks and cares for him. His parents died five years ago from AIDS, and Kolanchimani is HIV-infected.

He has been on antiretrovirals for two years now and has even overcome an ear infection that most thought would leave him deaf. Kolanchimani is a happy boy and very athletic. He and Pandian make good friends.

In 2008 Kolanchimani reported, “I am undergoing ART treatment for two years. My grandmother is looking after me. I am doing my studies in Government school. We built our house in the waste land. Inour suffering your support helped us a lot. We thank you so much for your kind help.”