Indian Christian Charities

Monday, September 03, 2007

Sachu and Sneha can hear us - Praise the Lord

For those who came in late:
Sachu and Sneha are two little children at our orphanage in Attapadi
Ashram in Kerala aged about 5 years. They could not hear or speak
and their was a surgery needed to make them hear. The surgery's cost
was too much for a small Ashram like the one in Attapadi to bear.
God worked wonders raising many voices from different parts of the
world and guided the process in such amazing manner that resulted in
their surgery earlier this month.

Finally on Sept 26th 2006, the tool in their ear was switched on and
Sachu and Sneha were introduced to our world of sounds! I called up and spoke to John achen and he was very happy to see the two children shouting with joy as they became aware of the
noises and sounds around them! I could hear their shouting over the phone. Achen said they were very excited and at one point they had picked up the telephone and were listening to the dial tone with great awe! Praise the Lord. (Malankara News Channel had covered the news, and
perhaps some ICON members might have seen it on TV too.)

(Also I sincerely thank many others like Rajesh, many messages spreading awareness about Sachu and Sneha in other forums.) As I started following the progress, I felt sad that
the cost was not being met by the contributions in spite of the hard work of so many workers world over. Many people were praying sincerely for Sachu and Sneha and what has happened this month was God working wonders answering their prayers. Ask John achen and he will tell you how God has performed a miracle in their lives.

I realise I am getting more and more involved with Attapadi Ashram and getting to know more and more about Sachu and Sneha and others at the Ashram and getting to praise God more by seeing the Lord's work at Attapadi. And herein I see the bigger miracle - of how one can use technology in today's age to spread awareness and bring about synergy for the glory of God. This affects not a couple lives, but many more. Sincere voices were raised in the last few months from various places to spread awareness about Sachu and Sneha, and God channelled them all together to create a great wave, so great that it has even swept someone like me also off my
feet.

regards,
Mathew Samuel,
Albany, NY

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Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell.

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Sachu and Sneha: Thanks to the Almighty Father

Dear friends,

With immense happiness and gratitude, the caretakers of St.Thomas Ashram, Attappady informs all of us that by the unlimited Grace of the ever loving heavenly Father, the cochlear implant surgery of Sachu and Sneha were 100% successful.

The operation was performed at Baby memorial hospital, Kozhikode today (September 4th, 2006) at 9.30 am. The operation lasted two hours for each child and was over by 1.45 pm. The incisions are expected to be healed in 3 weeks. Sachu and Sneha will be discharged from Baby memorial hospital, Kozhikode in the next 48 hours and will be cared at the Attappady Mission Hospital. The children will also be going through a speech therapy to make up for the lost years of hearing.

You call it coincidence or a miracle, beyond doubts, the blessings of the heavenly father has been with these children all along the way. I would like to share just one incident that John Achen told me last week. In Achen's words "By the Grace of our Lord, every door that we knocked was opened for us; many miracles have happened". Almost a week earlier, the local newspapers were kind enough to run a story on Sachu and Sneha after the date of the operation was finalized. One of the biggest expenses for this surgery was the cost of the cochlear implants. The day had come when Achen had to send the DD to the distributor of the implants. They were unable to raise enough money that was required for the DD. On that day, John Achen was about to visit one of his friends to borrow some money for the DD. Almost at the same time, a stranger calls Achen and requested a meeting with Achen. He said he had read the article about Sachu and Sneha in the paper and continued to say "For these two children who don't have
their parents alive, aren't we their parents..." He said he would like to offer a small help and gave 1 Lakh Indian rupees. At the same time, the dealer of the cochlear implant gives a discount of ~30,000 rupees. Achen was able to send the DD on time. Was this a coincidence or a
miracle?

Paul Achen and John Achen are currently at the hospital and are over-joyed by the mercies of the Lord and praises him for the wonders that Almighty Father has showered on Sachu and Sneha. They have expressed their heartfelt thanks to the countless number of people who have prayed for Sachu and Sneha. They express their sincere appreciation for the moral and financial support provided by churches, organizations and individuals thereby making the impossible possible.

May God bless you all.

Thanks,
Rajesh Vargheese
St.Gregorios Orthodox Church, Austin, TX

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Sachu and Sneha: One step closer: Surgery on September 4th, 2006

A few months ago, most of us in this forum came face-to-face with the tragedy and the worries of two orphans of Attappady. Thanks to all of you who have kept Sachu and Sneha in your prayers and have generously opened your hearts and wallets towards the funds for their surgery.

At that time, we had mentioned that the operation was planned for June-July timeframe. While having raised a good amount of money from well wishers, they were unable to raise enough money for the surgery during this time frame, and as a result the dates for the surgery where constantly pushed forward.

Trusting in the Lord who has worked wonders so far and taking into consideration of the full recovery chances, the caretakers of Attappady decided to go ahead with the surgery by taking a loan.

The good news is that Sachu and Sneha are one step closer to hearing their first voice since birth. Their cochlear implant surgery is scheduled on September 4 th, 2006 at Baby Memorial Hospital, Calicut.

Paul Achen and John Achen express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all well wishers. They along with all at the Attappady mission request your continued prayers for the success of the surgery.

One of the many things that the Attappady mission should be admired is the openness that they show in their financial transactions. They have sent us the updated accounts of the funds they have raised.

Please click on the image to enlarge it.

Please feel free to contact the Attappady ashram if you have any questions. They can be reached at 91-492-425-4430. Alternatively, they can be reached at attappadyashram@yahoo.com .

Once again, thank you for being a part of the ear for these orphans.

Friday, May 05, 2006

Sachu and Sneha: The doctor that made the difference

The doctor that made the difference

Once God entrusted Sachu and Sneha in the hands of the caretakers of the orphanage in Attapaddy, the responsibility of the treatment was on the caretakers at the orphanage. Clinical examinations had given them the hope that these two children could live a normal life by regaining the ability to speak and hear by performing a surgery.

But when they heard that the operation for both the children would cost INR 12.24 Lakhs, (~USD 29,000) their hopes was shaken. Located in the tribal area of a financially backward place, they couldn't imagine raising such large amount of money. They constantly prayed to God Almighty in the hope that a miracle will happen and the children would live a normal life.
Their prayers were not in vain, wonders happened. The Surgeon who had to perform the cochlear implant surgery informed them that he would perform both the operations without charging the heavy charges of the surgery. In addition, he conducted all the initial investigations free of cost.

Their hopes were recharged and the strongly believe that the Almighty that made this possible will also provide for the funds needed for purchasing the cochlear implants.

[The certificate from Dr. M.P. Manoj explaining the cost breakdown for the surgery of Sachu and Sneha. Please double click to enlarge]

May God bless Dr. M.P. Manoj, the cochlear implant surgeon who made a difference by keeping the hopes alive for the two innocent orphans to have a normal life.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Sachu and Sneha finds home at Attapadi Orphanage

October 20th, 2003

The almighty father never abandons anyone. Finally, Sneha and Sachu finds home at the Attapadi orphanage in Agali, Nellipathy, Palakkad District, which is run by the missionaries of St.Thomas Ashram, Attapadi.

Binu’s parents and Sheeja’s family are financially poor and are unable to provide for the treatment and care for the two children.

Binu’s father handed over the kids to Nellippathi St.Thomas’ Ashram. The ashram administrator Fr.S Paul is currently taking care of Sneha and Sachu. Their treatment, education, living expenses will be taken care by the Ashram. Currently there are 16 children living in this ashram.

[This article appeared in the Mathrubhumi newspaper on October 20th, 2003. Please double click to enlarge the picture]

Binu's father (P Varghese), Sheeja's mother (Thresiamma), Ashram care takers (Fr. S. Paul, Fr. M.D. John, Fr. Varghese Joseph, Sister Sally, Brother Vinayan), Ellamala parish members and Shiruvani estate workers were present at the time when the two kids became a part of their new home.

Saturday, April 22, 2006

Sneha and Sachu - An Orphans Transition

September 18th, 2003

The fate has been very harsh on the two little kids – Sneha (3) and Sachu (1 1/2). Not only were they born with birth disabilities to hear and speak (deaf and dumb), they also became orphans after they lost their parents. Their pain has become the pain of Sholayur panchayat.

[This article appeared in the MalayalaMaronama newspaper on Sept 18th, 2003. Please double click on the article to enlarge it.]

Located in the Sholayur panchayat, Attapadi, Palakkad district Sneha and Sachu were born to Eelamala paanikuzhiyil Payippra veetil Binu and Sheeja. Their parents lived on the mere income they earned from the daily wage work and small scale farming in their land.

When the kids were born, Binu and Sheeja spend all their savings to find a cure for their illness. For years, they spent everything with the hope that someday their children will be cured. Unfortunately, their prayers were never answered in their life time.

Finally, finding no hope in the treatment and their prayers, in utter desperation, the parents committed suicide to escape from their demanding life. On Sept 15, 2003, the kids lost their father and on Oct 11th, 2003, they lost their mother who tried to burn herself after witnessing her husband’s suicide.

Sneha and Sachu witnessed their father’s dying moments and their mother blazing in fire. They were so unfortunate that they could not even cry for help in a situation that could not have been more scary than any nightmares that anyone could imagine.

Binu’s parents and Sheeja’s family were equally poor and are unable to provide for the treatment and care for the children.

[This article appeared in the MalayalaMaronama newspaper on Oct 16th, 2003. Please double click on the article to enlarge it.]

Unaware of the tragedy that would change their life for ever; the kids find comfort on the shoulders of one of Binu’s friends and search for their parents. The scene is heart breaking to anyone who sees them.

Worries of a Sick Orphan in Attapadi (Part 2 of 2)

Say, somebody tried to talk to you and you did not hear it, what would be the typical reaction of the person who tried to talk to you. The person may raise his voice and try to talk to you once again. Say, we still didn't hear. The person might get irritated and could yell at you, saying "are you deaf?” Definitely, nobody would like to be in such situations.

Consider Sachu and Sneha living in this situation for their entire life. Lack of communication inhibits the interaction between people and affects personal development. Inability to hear is definitely a barrier to communication. People, who cannot hear from birth, typically have difficulty in talking. The chances are that regaining the ability to hear can restore the ability to talk.

All these led the caretakers to go ahead with the surgery and cochlear implant for Sachu & Sneha at a cost of 12 lakhs.

What is a cochlear implant?

If you have partial hearing, you can use a hearing aid to amplify sound. If you have total loss of hearing, hearing aids won't help, as there is no signals to amplify. A cochlear implant is used instead. Cochlear implants compensate for damaged or non-working parts of the inner ear. A cochlear implant is a small, complex electronic device that can help to provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf. The implant is surgically placed under the skin behind the ear. A cochlear implant simulates the functions of the ear by converting sound waves in the air into electrical impulses which are sent to the brain to be recognized as sound.
Attapadi is a tribal belt in the financially backward Malabar area. The main focus of the orphanage where Sachu and Sneha lives is on the tribal orphans. The orphanage is operated by the missionaries of St.Thomas ashram. (One of IOC's ashrams)

We all visit orphanages when we visit our home towns. How do we choose the orphanage that we visit? Most likely it will be the places that are close to our homes. So if the number of people living close by is less, the number of visitors visiting the orphanage is less, the support for the orphanage is less. That is the case of Attapadi. There are very less number of people living in this area.

When you consider 12 lakhs, for on an orphanage in Attapadi, it's a huge amount, something close to their entire assets. On the flipside, you could look at it as the love and care that they are providing to the orphans. They trusted the Lord, we can be sure that miracles will happen. We can help, we can become the Lord's Angels that Sachu & Sneha are waiting for. If your church has charity funds that you distribute to eligible people, please consider this need of this orphanage.

Their address is
St. Thomas Ashram,
Agali P.O, Nellippathy, Attappady, Palakkad District, Kerala - 678581

If you can, call them and ask how Sachu and Sneha are doing. Build a relationship with these orphanages.
Phone: 91-492-425-4430

The Lord told Abraham "you are blessed, to be a blessing". Is this true for us? He has given us the ability to hear; and hence, we surely know, we are blessed. The question is "will we be a blessing", in particular to these orphans.

Thanks,
Rajesh
St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Austin, TX

Source: ICON http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/12645

Worries of a Sick Orphan in Attapadi (Part 1 of 2)

Worries of a Sick Orphan in Attapadi (Part 1 of 2)

If you were from a financially sound family, and you became ill, you typically worry mainly about your illness. But you have the confidence that you can go to the best doctors and get you illness cured.

Let's go one step backward. Now consider, you were not from a financially sound family and you became ill, you not only worry about your illness, but also about the cost of treatment. But you have the confidence that your parents will somehow manage to get the money for the treatment.

Let's go one more step backward. Now consider you were not from a financially sound family, you were an orphan and you became ill, you not only worry about your illness, the cost of treatment, but also about the absence of moral and financial support from your parents to handle the treatment. But you still can have the confidence that there are many good Samaritans around your orphanage and they will help you to get the money for the treatment.

Let's go one more step backward. Now consider you were not from a financially sound family, you were an orphan, you belonged to a place like Attapadi where there are not many believers and supporters to support your orphanage and you became ill, you not only worry about your illness, the cost of treatment, the absence of your parents, but also the source of money and support for the treatment.

In short a lot of things to worry about. Wondered why I would portray life as a struggle. Only because this is the cross roads where Sachu and Sneha, two orphans at the St. Gregorios Bala Bhavan, Attapadi stand, in the hope that Lord's Angels will help them take care some of these worries so that they can live a life that is at least closer to a normal life.

Sachu is 3 years old. Sneha is 5 years old. Sachu is the younger brother of Sneha. Their parents were from a very poor family. Sachu and Sneha where born with two birth defects: unable to hear (Deaf) and unable to speak (Dumb). Their parents knew it would cost a lot to treat Sachu & Sneha. Unable to live up to the needs of the family, desperation led to their parents ending up their lives. This brought Sachu and Sneha into the hands of the caretakers of St.Gregorios Bala Bhavan, Attapadi.

The caretakers of St.Gregorios Bala Bhavan, Attapadi had two choices. First, do nothing and let the two children suffer for the next 70-80 years. Second, treat them at a cost, that's unbearable by any orphanage. The only way they could have chosen option 2 is to pray to the lord and trust in the Almighty Father that he will show them the means. They trusted the Lord and they choose the second option.

They are planning to have a surgery and a cochlear implant for Sachu and Sneha. The total cost is estimated at 12 lakhs.

For a moment, let's put ourselves in Sachu and Sneha's shoes and think if this was one of our own children, which option, would we choose. We have the choice to become the Lord’s angels. Will we?

(To be continued...)

Thanks,
Rajesh
St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Austin, TX

Source: ICON Article http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/12613

Welcome to the Indian Christian Charities Blog

The Voice of the Orphans…

Welcome to the Indian Christian Charities Blog, a blog solely dedicated for creating awareness across the globe about the charitable initiatives in India by the Indian Orthodox church.

For centuries, Christian charities, in particular, the Indian Orthodox church has been in the forefront in helping and reaching out and has always been the source of compassion and comfort for the needy of societies.

The church operates numerous charitable organizations; orphanages, old-age homes, homes for the mentally challenged, hospitals, schools to mention a few.

An Orphan is defined as one who is deprived of some protection or advantage. We want to be the Voice of the Orphans to make the world hear their cry.

We hope to bring volunteers together to learn and educate people across the globe about the needs and challenges faced by these noble organizations. In the first phase, we will primarily focus on orphanages and old-age homes. In addition, we also plan to motivate people to feed orphans and poor senior citizens in the most financially backward areas.

We work closely with ICON (Indian Christian Orthodox Network) and other forums, spiritual organizations of the church (Sunday School, MGOCSM, Youth Movement) to bring people together in the fight against hunger and poverty.

Stay tuned for the latest on this blog.

Our Mission: Our main focus is to create awareness among people about the charitable initiatives and programs being operated in India by the Indian Orthodox church.

For centuries, Christian charities, in particular, the Indian Orthodox church has been in the forefront in helping and reaching out to the needy of societies and has always been the source of compassion and comfort for the needy. The church operates numerous charitable organizations; orphanages, old-age homes, homes for the mentally challenged, hospitals, schools to mention a few. We hope to educate people across the globe about the needs and challenges faced by these noble organizations.