SATHYANIKETHAN ORPHANAGE, MUMBAI

Whenever C.V.V visited Mumbai (Bombay), he visited the slums and saw many boys and girls wandering through the streets not knowing who their parents are and where they would spend the night. Though child labor is banned in India, most of the restaurants and shops employ children. The employers are keen on employing these little children because they can easily be exploited, made to work for longer hours and be paid very little or no wages.

The most pitiful sight is these is the children loitering near the restaurants for the customers to throw their waste into the trash bin so that they can all grab one bite each. Seeing the plight of these innocent children with no future. CVV was disturbed and his heart was heavy. He knew that those little girls would turn to prostitution and the little boys would become drug peddlers and criminals this compelled CVV to do something for them.

This prompted us to start Sathyanikethan (Shelter of Truth), Karjat, Mumbai on 17th February, 2004. The 'Sathyanikethan' orphanage has been shifted to a new rented building in Panvel, Mumbai. Our 45 children started attending school in the new academic year on June 18th. A new team of staff is taking care of the kids and we are looking for suitable permanent land and building.

A new Mission school is started in a rented building in Panvel, Mumbai. We have around 70 kids in our School. The children from the nearby areas attend school. We are giving education to our orphanage kids in this school. Initially we have started from Kindergarten to Grade 2.

Sathya Nikethan Kids Testimonies Mumbai

GULAB - Hello, my name is Gulab Lokhande. The name 'Gulab' means 'rose'. I am nine years old. I hail from a small village in Maharashtra, India. There are six children in our family. My father and mother both work in the fields. However since agricultural work is never stable as it is seasonal, they are not able to provide us with proper food, clothing or education. Due to this reason I have come to SathyaNikethan along with my brother Lakhan. Earlier I didn't like to be separated from my family and so used to cry a lot but now I have made friends and I like to colour pictures that I get here in School. I also love playing with trucks.
I remember my family when I go to church on Sunday. That makes me sad and I cry because I miss them a lot. However I get a lot of love and affection from my teachers here at SathyaNikethan. I love to be hugged and laugh a lot when I am swung in the air.

LAKHAN - Hello, my name is Lakhan Lokhande. I am seven years old . I have come to Sathyanikethan with my brother Gulab.Our family lives in a tiny village in Maharashtra,India.My father and mother both work in the agricultural fields.They  must rely on the seasons of the year for their work.Since we are poor,all six of us children do not get enough food to eat.My parents cannot afford to send us to School .Here Gulab and I get good food,clothing,education and medicine if we are sick.We have also got many friends after coming here.Earlier I used to miss my family a lot and wanted to go back and cried a lot.However now we receive a lot of love and care here.I ask a lot of questions to my teachers and am very curious about everything around me. Sometimes I get into trouble because of this.

VISWAS - My name is Viswas Satish.  I am nine years old  and come from a rural village in Maharashtra. Neither of my parents have had an education. My father is a farmer and my mother is an agricultural labourer. They both work in the fields all day. My parents were not able to afford daily food or even an adequate shelter and they could not provide the basic necessities such as immunization and education. My teachers tell me that though I am tiny yet I am an active child. They encourage me to eat well and give me a protein supplement along with my milk twice everyday. Though initially I was slow in learning,my teachers tell me that there has been considerable improvement since I joined SathyaNikethan.
Please pray that I will grow strong and healthy and that God will use me to bless many people around me.

BHASKAR - Hello, my name is Bhaskar Baikad.  I am eight years old. Before coming to Sathya Nikethan I was living in the slums in Mumbai with my family.  Life in the slums is really hard. Our homes are very basic and stand very close together. There is no running water and no toilets.  My parents who are construction workers  love me very much but do not have enough money to take care of all my needs, especially because I have two older brothers and one sister.  For this reason I am now at Sathya Nikethan where my parents hope I will be able to receive good food and good education. Teachers tell me that I am an extremely happy,smart and loveable child. I know my alphabet and numbers well.I help other children learn their alphabets. I love hugs,kisses and to be held. I love singing and have learnt many action songs after coming to SathyaNikethan.

RUTH - Hello, my name is Ruth Sunil Magar. I am nine years old. Before coming to Sathya Nikethan I was living in the slums with my grandparents. My parents have not been able to find work and so they are not able to fully support my sister and me. With the hope that I will have a better future, my family brought me to Sathya Nikethan. Please pray that I will learn and grow and become all that God has intended me to be.

WILKINSON - Hello, my name is Wilkinson Kayam. I am nine years old. My family is very poor. My father is a labourer. Our church members suggested my father to send me to SathyaNikethan seeing our poor financial condition. We hail from a small village in Gujarat.My teachers tell me that I am a quiet and reserved child. However, when it comes to matters of excitement like cheering someone on or pointing out a plane or singing my favourite song or saying my ABC I become loud. Though I am smart, I don't always speak up.I like to day dream.I love a good hug and a goodnight kiss. I don't like to fuss and I try to internalize my pain or sadness or sickness unlike others who cry out aloud and let others know it. I feel bad when I do something wrong.

ENOCH - Hello, my name is Enoch Kudiam. I am ten years old. I hail from a village in Chattisgarh, India. When I was only one year old, my mother passed away as my family was not able to afford the medical treatment. It was difficult for my father to fully care for me so I had been living in a government children's home. My father was in Mumbai so he decided to bring me to Sathya Niketan where I could be closer to him and where I could get a good education. My teachers tell me that I am loveable and sweet. I know how to do my own laundry. I like to do things in the right way especially when it comes to sitting correctly and silently. I love Sports especially when it comes to ball games.

AFRIN - Hello , I am Afrin Ahammed Ali Shaikh. I am seven years old. I belong to the Sewari slum in Mumbai. My parents brought me to sathyanikethan because they are not able provide the basic necessities. I am very happy now.I like to sing and watch others sing too.

ALISHA - Hello, my name is Alisha Viresh. I am from seware slum in mumbai. I am 7 years old. We had little money and it is hard to find job. Though wer rare living in a joint family it is very hard for my parents to provide the necessary needs of all of us. For this reason I am now at sathyanikethan where my parents hope I will be able to receive good food and good education.

SAVITHRI - Hello,  my name is Savithri Kudiam and I am 9 years old. I am from a village in Chattisgarh and I have four sisters. Though I belongs to a big agrarian family the per capita income is very low to satisfy all the basic needs of all the children. Because of this our diet was always basic and there were no real resources for health and education. Now I started enjoying life. Please pray for me to adjust the new life out side the village.

PREETHAM - Hello,I am preetham I am 7years old. I am at Sathyanikethan since my mother is sick and  could not find food and shelter for me.Coming to SathyaNikethan  I hope to have good people around me. Please pray that so that I may find Jesus as my Saviour.

RAKESH - Hello, I am Rakesh Kumar .I am from the Chattisgarh state. It is in the northern part of India. I am 10 years old. I belong to a poor family. My parents are labourers in the landlord's land. They  get very low income, and it is not sufficient for our family's livelihood. Coming to Sathya Nikethan I found a new world with friends and good  people around me. Please pray for me that I grow up to know the Lord.

RAHUL - Hello, I am Rahul and I am 8 years old. I am from Mumbai. My father died in an accident that happened in his workplace. I have one elder sister. My mother is working as a maid in the neighbour's house. The money received from there is not sufficient for our livelihood. Most of the days we are going to bed with half stomach. Now I am better fed and cared for with nice people around me. I hope to find Jesus on this path. Do pray for me  also.

SUSHIL - Hello, I am Sushil Kumar Kudium  from Chattisgarh. I am 5 years old and I came to SathyaNikethan along with my sister Savithri. My parents work all day in the fields, but they are getting very less income. It is not sufficient for our education. After coming to SathyaNikethan I am getting good food, clothes, education and care. Please pray for me that I will learn and grow in Lord.

SUSHANTH - Hello, my name is Sushanth Rao. I am 5 years old and I came with my brother. I am from a slum in Mumbai. Life in slum is very hard. We have to stand in a long queue for collecting fresh water. Always conflicts and violence, besides these our father is an alcoholic, he always beats my mother.Now however we are happy that we are altogether in a lovely place with a lot of nice people around. Please pray for us that we will study well.

JACOB - Hello my name is Jacob Kudiam. I am7 years old. My brother is Joseph Kudiam.My parents work as agricultural labourers. Since they do not have money they have sent us to Sathyanikethan. We are very happy here. I am told that I am a shy and reserved boy. I love painting and colouring.

MAHEND - Hello my name is Mahend. I am seven years old. My father and mother work in the fields. I have three siblings but they are away from me. My parents are too poor to give us all proper food, clothing, shelter and education and so they have brought me to Sathyanikethan. I am by nature a quiet boy. I like to participate in singing and painting.

YASHWANT - Hello my name is Yashwant Rao. I am 6 years old. My brother stays with me here in Sathyanikethan. His name is Sushanth Rao. My father is a helper of building construction. Since they are poor we are sent to the Orphanage. I am very quiet by nature. I love to be cared for by others.

POONAM - Hello my name is Poonam Dinesh. I am 9 years old. I was brought to Sathyanikethan since my parents are very poor. I love to do my duties well and my teachers appreciate me for that. I also like to help others who are in need.

SADHANA - Hello my name is Sadhana Suresh. I am 8 years old. My pet name is Priya which means 'loved one.'I have three siblings. I have been separated from them since my parents are too poor to bring us up together well. I am v happy here in Sathyanikethan. I am a very loving person. I care for others when they are disturbed.

SUNIL - Hello my name is Sunil Raman. I am 8 years old. My parents are labourers and hence are very poor. As my parents cannot look after me properly they have sent me to Sathyanikethan. Here I have many friends. I am a very introverted person and don't mingle much with others. I feel sad most of the time. I love reading.

MAHIMA - Hello my name is Mahima Raju. I am 5 years old. My parents are labourers and hence they are too poor to look after me. I have no brothers or sisters and so after coming to Sathyanikethan I am very happy since I have found many friends to play with. I love to sing action songs and stories.

SILAS - Hello my name is Silas Gabriel. I am 7 years old. My parents are labourers. I have 5 siblings. Due to extreme poverty my parents are not able to take proper care of us and so they have put me in Sathyanikethan where I get v good care. I love to study and get very good marks. I am quiet by nature.

JOSEPH - Hello my name is Joseph Kudiam. I am 9 years old. My parents are agricultural labourers and hence cannot afford to look after me and my brother Jacob and hence have sent us both to Sathyanikethan. We are very happy here as we have a lot of friends to play with. I like to play ball and other outdoor activities.

JOEL - Hello my name is Joel Suresh Padvi. I am 5 years old. My parents are labourers and since they cannot take care of us, they have sent us to Sathyanikethan. My brother Preetom is also an inmate of this Orphanage. I was initially very home sick and I used to cry a lot. I am told to be intelligent and have a very good  memory.

KUNAL - Hello my name is Kunal Dinesh Manghade. I am 6 years old. I have come to Sathyanikethan along with my sister Punam Dinesh. My father is a cobbler and cannot afford to provide us with a good education and hence has sent us here to Sathyanikethan. I like sports and love to play catching catch in the garden. I adjust quickly to situations.

KARISHMA - Hello my name is Karishma Suresh Phanibare. I am 6 years old. My sister Sadhana also stays with me here in Sathyanikethan. My father is a labourer and since we are four siblings it is not possible for them to look after us properly and so has sent us here. I am quiet by nature.

CHANDRA - Hello my name is Chandra Ram Singh. I am 9 years old. My father is a securityman. Since we are very poor and cannot afford a good life my parents have sent me to Sathyanikethan. I am reserved by nature and like to spend time alone.

PARUAL - Hello my name is Parual Ram Singh. I am 7 years old. I joined Sathyanikethan because my parents are very poor and not able to look after me. My brother Ram Singh is also here with me. We are happy because we have got many good friends, education, clothes and food.

RAJIMOL - Hello my name is Rajimol Shaji. I am 8 years old. My father is sick and unable to provide for us. My mother is a Sales Girl. The little money that she gets is not sufficient to provide for me and so I have been sent to Sathyanikethan. I am talkative by nature.

KARAN - Hello my name is Karan Ram Singh. I am 6 years old. My parents are too poor to look after me and so I have been sent here to Sathyanikethan. I am very happy here.

SHEEBA - Hello my name is Sheeba Rajkumar Telange. I am 5 years old. My father died and my mother has left me and married someone else. I used to stay with my grandmother who is blind. As she is old and not working, she is not able to afford good food, clothing and education for me and so I have been sent here to Sathyanikethan. I like to help in caring for other children.

STUTHI - Hello my name is Sthuthi Sunil Magar. My name means praise. I am 6 years old. I have no father and my mother has gone to study Bible. My sister Ruth and I am inmates of Sathyanikethan. We get good clothing, food, education etc here. Hence we are happy here.

BALU - Hello my name is Balu Ramchandra Salve. I am 6 years old. My father is a labourer. As he is not able to take care of us, we(my sister and me)have been sent to Sathyanikethan. I am an extrovert and I make friends quickly. I am happy here in Sathyanikethan.

PYARO - Hello my name is Pyaro. It means loving one. I am 7 years old. My father is a labourer and my brother Balu and me have been sent to Sathyanikethan. At times I feel homesick and want to go home. I am a very anxious child.