Dyabhaven Orphanage

Manju can no longer live in the family home. Because of poverty, her mother works as a prostitute.

Some years ago we were approached by Pastor Bovas, who had a heart to look after orphaned and abandoned children that he came across. We have been providing the money that he needs to do this. At one time he looked after nearly 20 such children, but more recently the number has dropped, and he currently cares for about seven needy children.

Often the children are not true orphans: they have at least one surviving parent, but their parent or parents are unable to look after them – they may be too ill, or too poor, or their home life may (as in the case of Manju) be unsuitable. Often the underlying problem is resolved in due course and the children are able to return to their families.

Sadia, Samily and Salini are three sisters who exemplify this process. Their father was an alcoholic who left his family, and their mother was unable to support them on her own and abandoned them. The neighbours were going to deal with the problem by feeding them poisoned rice when Pastor Bovas found them. After living with him for about two years, they have now been reunited with their grand-parents, who are looking after them.

However, there remains a need for some children to be looked after on either a short-term or longer term basis, and Pastor Bovas continues to meet this need. HHI funds the children at the rate of £15 a month each, which is enough to pay for their food, clothing and the incidental costs of their education.

Children at Dyabhaven performing a dance routine, choreographed by the girl in the middle.