Currently, there are nine orphans at Happiness Home. Most of these children are truly orphaned, but the word "orphan" in this case also means they do not have a mother or father at Happiness Home. They are taken care of by a dear lady they call "Nanny". All of the children in the home are special, but I only interviewed the orphans. One thing stood out to me as I interviewed them. Knowing some of their stories beforehand, I fully expected to see signs of trauma. I was pleasantly surprised instead to see emotional healing and spiritual peace. Many of these children, without any prompting from me, made reference to specific times of prayer when God touched them and "made them better." Here are their brief, yet inspiring, stories.
Tluangtea, age 9, wants to be a bus driver when he grows up. In Burma, he saw only bicycles and rickshaws. After moving to India, he saw cars, trucks, buses and other vehicles. He has been at Happiness Home for 4 years. His mother and father died from HIV/AIDS in Burma. His grandmother brought him to India because he was not well. Even though he is feeling better, he still has to take medicine. He has four older brothers and one older sister in Burma, all of them healthy.
Bawla, age 9, has been at Happiness Home for 1 year. Both of his parents are infected; they live in Burma. He has one healthy brother in Burma. He has lots of friends at the home, but not a best friend. He loves school and wants to be a doctor when he grows up.
Buatsaiha, age 9, was dropped off at Happiness Home about a month ago. His mother, father, grandmother and grandfather have all died from AIDS. It is uncertain at this time whether or not he has HIV. He speaks two languages. He likes to eat, especially meat. He likes to play all kinds of games.
Kimboi, age 13, and Nemtong, age 12, are sisters. They have been at Happiness Home since 2007. Kimboi has HIV while Nemtong is healthy. They watched both parents die of AIDS. For a while, Nemtong worked cleaning houses to earn money for the family since she was the only one healthy. Both girls like school. Kimboi wants to be a doctor. Nemtong wants to be a teacher and travel all over the world helping others.
Vanlalsiama, age 13, wants to be a missionary when he grows up. His dream is to someday go to another country although he doesn't know which one yet. He likes to pray. He prays every morning and every evening. After his mother and father died of AIDS, he met his grandmother for the first time. She brought him to Happiness Home about one year ago because he has HIV. His grandparents went to a church that did not baptize. He wanted to be baptized in water. He was baptized in Jesus' Name when he arrived at Happiness Home.
Pumkhankhual, age 14, arrived at Happiness Home today. Just released from a 10 day stay at a local hospital, he is still weak from HIV. His mother, father and grandfather have all died from AIDS. His grandmother is in Burma.He loves music and can play the piano and keyboard when he has strength. (3-24-11 NOTE: This is a recent photo. He is looking healthier and stronger!)
Khual Pi, age 15, dreams of one day of being healthy, going back to Burma and constructing his own home. His mother and father died of AIDS. He has one older sister who attends a Bible college. Although he likes school, he is not very studious. He prefers working with his hands. When he first arrived at Happiness Home 4 years ago, he was so weak he could not lift anything. Now he can carry big buckets of water.
Kimboi, age 13, and Nemtong, age 12, are sisters. They have been at Happiness Home since 2007. Kimboi has HIV while Nemtong is healthy. They watched both parents die of AIDS. For a while, Nemtong worked cleaning houses to earn money for the family since she was the only one healthy. Both girls like school. Kimboi wants to be a doctor. Nemtong wants to be a teacher and travel all over the world helping others.
Chawia, age 13, has HIV and has been at Happiness Home for one year. His father died of AIDS. His mother still lives in Burma. She brought him to India so he could receive medication and an education. She visits him about every two months. He also has one older sister and one older brother in Burma. He likes school and desires to be a bright student. He likes the special meals that are served at Happiness Home on Sundays.
Vanlalsiama, age 13, wants to be a missionary when he grows up. His dream is to someday go to another country although he doesn't know which one yet. He likes to pray. He prays every morning and every evening. After his mother and father died of AIDS, he met his grandmother for the first time. She brought him to Happiness Home about one year ago because he has HIV. His grandparents went to a church that did not baptize. He wanted to be baptized in water. He was baptized in Jesus' Name when he arrived at Happiness Home.
Khual Pi, age 15, dreams of one day of being healthy, going back to Burma and constructing his own home. His mother and father died of AIDS. He has one older sister who attends a Bible college. Although he likes school, he is not very studious. He prefers working with his hands. When he first arrived at Happiness Home 4 years ago, he was so weak he could not lift anything. Now he can carry big buckets of water.
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