SATHYANIKETHAN ORPHANAGE, MUMBAI

Whenever C.V.V. visited Mumbai (Bombay), he went to the slums and saw many orphaned children wandering the streets without a place to spend the night. The most pitiful sight was these children waiting near restaurants for customers to throw their waste into the trash so they could each grab a bite.  CVV's heart was heavy knowing these little girls would turn to prostitution and the little boys would become drug peddlers and criminals. This compelled CVV to do something for them.

Sathyanikethan (Shelter of Truth) Orphanage openned on February 17, 2004. Forty-five children live in our rented building in Panvel, Mumbai. We are currently looking for property of our own.

A Mission school meets at the orphanage. There are about 70 students, which includes the 45 orphans as well as children from the nearby areas.

Sathya Nikethan Kids Testimonies Mumbai

GULAB - Hello, my name is Gulab Lokhande. The name 'Gulab' means 'rose'. I am nine years old. I am from a small village in Maharashtra, India. There are six children in our family. My father and mother both work in the fields. Agricultural work is never stable because it is seasonal, so they are not able to provide us with proper food, clothing or education. This is why I have come to SathyaNikethan along with my brother Lakhan. Earlier I didn't like to be separated from my family and I cried a lot, but now I have made friends and I like to color pictures at 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. My family lives in a tiny village in Maharashtra, India where my parents work the fields. I have made many friends at Sathyanikethan, and now I have proper food and clothing. I used to cry a lot because I missed my family and wanted to go back home. However, I receive a lot of love and care here. I ask my teachers many questions 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 are educated. My father is a farmer and my mother is an agricultural labourer. My parents are not able to afford daily food or even an adequate shelter, and they can not provide the basic necessities such as immunization and education. My teachers tell me that even though I am tiny I am an active child. They encourage me to eat well and give me a protein supplement along with my milk twice everyday. Initially I was slow in learning, but my teachers say 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. My house has no running water and no toilet.  My parents who are construction workers love me very much, but do not have enough money to take care of my needs. For this reason I am now at Sathya Nikethan where my parents hope I will be able to receive good food and an 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 the alphabet. I love hugs, kisses and being held. I also love singing and have learned many action songs since 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 can not 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. Our church members suggested that my father send me to SathyaNikethan because of 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 exciting matters like cheering, pointing out a plane, singing my favorite song or saying my ABC's 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 sadness or sickness unlike others who cry 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 am from a village in Chattisgarh, India. When I was one year old, my mother passed away because my family could not afford her 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 moved to Mumbai, so he decided to bring me to Sathya Niketan where I could be closer to him and where I could receive an education. My teachers tell me that I am loveable and sweet. I know how to do my own laundry. I like to do things the right way, especially when it comes to sitting correctly and silently. I especially love playing sports.

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 Sathya Nikethan because they are not able to provide my 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 the seware slum in Mumbai. I am seven years old. My family has little money and it is hard for my parents to find work. Even though we live in a joint family home, it is very hard for my parents to provide for my needs. This is why I am now at Sathya Nikethan where my parents hope I will receive good food and an education.

SAVITHRI - Hello,  my name is Savithri Kudiam and I am nine years old. I am from a village in Chattisgarh and I have four sisters. Though I belong to a big agrarian family, our income is too low to satisfy the basic needs of all the children. Our diet was very basic and there were no adequate resources for health and education. Now I am enjoying life more at Sathya Nikethan. Please pray for me to adjust to my new life outside of the village.

PREETHAM - Hello, I am Preetham and I am seven years old. I am at Sathya Nikethan because my mother is sick and  could not find food and shelter for me. Please pray that I may find Jesus as my Savior.

RAKESH - Hello, I am Rakesh Kumar. I am from the state of Chattisgarh. It is in the northern part of India. I am ten years old and I belong to a poor family. My parents are labourers in the landlord's land. They earn a 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 that I grow up to know the Lord.

RAHUL - Hello, I am Rahul and I am eight years old. I am from Mumbai where my father died in a work accident. I have one elder sister. My mother is working as a maid in our neighbor's house. The money she earns is not sufficient for our livelihood. Most days we go to bed hungry. Now I am better fed and cared for at Sathya Nikethan. I hope to find Jesus on this path. Please pray for me.

SUSHIL - Hello, I am Sushil Kumar Kudium from Chattisgarh. I am five years old, and I came to SathyaNikethan along with my sister Savithri. My parents work in the fields for a very small income. It is not sufficient for our education. After coming to SathyaNikethan I have better 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 five years old and I came with my brother. I am from a slum in Mumbai. Life in a slum is very hard. We have to stand in a long line to collect fresh water. There are a lot of violent conflicts, and our father is an alcoholic. He always beats my mother. Now we are happy to live in a lovely place with a lot of nice people around us. Please pray for us that we will study well.

JACOB - Hello my name is Jacob Kudiam. I am seven 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 coloring.

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

YASHWANT - Hello my name is Yashwant Rao. I am six years old. My brother stays with me here in Sathyanikethan. His name is Sushanth Rao. My father is a construction worker. Since my parents are poor we were 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 eight 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 very happy here in Sathya Nikethan. I am a very loving person. I care for others when they are sad.

SUNIL - Hello my name is Sunil Raman. I am eight years old. My parents are labourers and are very poor. My parents cannot look after me properly, so they sent me to Sathya Nikethan. 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, but I love reading.

MAHIMA - Hello my name is Mahima Raju and I am 5 years old. My parents are labourers and are too poor to look after me. I have no brothers or sisters, so after coming to Sathyanikethan I am very happy because I have found many friends to play with. I love to sing action songs and listen to 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, so they have sent me to Sathya Nikethan where I get very 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 cannot afford to look after me and my brother Jacob. They have sent us both to Sathya Nikethan. We are very happy here because 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 and I am 5 years old. My parents are labourers. They cannot take care of my brother, Preetom, and I, so they have sent us to Sathyanikethan. At first, I was very homesick and cried a lot. I am told that I am intelligent and have a very good memory.

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

KARISHMA - Hello my name is Karishma Suresh Phanibare. I am 6 years old. My sister Sadhana also stays with me here in Sathya Nikethan. My father is a labourer. He cannot look after us properly 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 Sathya Nikethan. I am reserved by nature and like to spend time alone.

PARUAL - Hello my name is Parual Ram Singh and I am 7 years old. I joined Sathya Nikethan 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 made many good friends and are getting an 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 woman. The little money that she earns is not sufficient to provide for me, so I have been sent to Sathya Nikethan. 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 Sathya Nikethan. 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. She is old and not working, so she is not able to afford my food, clothing and education. I am happy at Sathya Nikethan. I like to help care 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 the Bible. My sister Ruth and I are residents of Sathya Nikethan. We receive good clothing, food, and an education here. We are very happy.

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

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