On 3rd of August when the dusk was falling, Sita (name changed) with her two kids Vikram & Chandru (names changed) 12 & 7 years old were brought to C.G Hospital by Spandana-IPPCC. Her husband deserted her and children. She was pale and weak and in the 4th stage of HIV infection. Children were also affected by skin infection and full of sores. As per the VCTC report, the elder boy was found HIV positive and the younger negative. We gave them the best care but after a week God called Sita from this life.
While she was breathing her last, she was worried about her children for she knew there was no one to look after them. When we were giving her last consoling words, we told her not to worry about her children assuring that they will be taken care. By hearing these words, there was a bright smile on her face. As children heard about their mother’s death there was a dead silence, tears rolled down and they exclaimed, ‘now we have no one to take care of us, where can we go!’ When they heard the words of assurance from our Sisters, “children, don’t worry we are there for you”, they were consoled.
With the coordination of Spandana the funeral service took place in their own village. Only a few relatives stood far to observe the last rites. Then the children were brought back to the hospital and were taken care for a month. In order to give them a better future the younger one was admitted into our boarding at Nirmal Nagar, Belgaum and joined the regular parish school. The elder one was admitted to an institution run by Helpers of Mary Sisters at Goa to continue his studies. He is along with other infected children attending the open school so that his future also may be bright. They have found their destiny and are happy with the company of other children.
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