Family Situation - A large family of Uncle, grandmother, sister, brother in law,niece, 2 younger sisters and 2 aunts. Both Dad and Mom left home.
Judan chose education over family. His Dad left home following a squabble with the family when Chudan was very young. A few years after Chudan’s Dad left, his mom readied to leave after a similar fight. Young Chudan wanted to leave along with his mother. But his Uncle (mom’s brother) warned him that he will get no education if he leaves home. Since his Uncle financed his education, he had to stay back. Chudan chose education over living with his mom.
Judan said that he sometimes becomes mad at his mom. Even then, he feels that his anger is not really justified. When asked about his feelings, Chudan added that his mom loves him more than his sisters. He thinks it is because he is a boy. “Moms love sons better”, said Chudan with a smile. He added that though his mom didn’t marry again, she lives with another man. Chudan shared with me his ambition of being a policeman. As he talked, he told me how much he would like to serve the society and beat up the thugs. And his friends remark that he enjoys beating them up too.
Family Situation – Father and Mother at home. Only Child.
When I waited aside for one by one to come to me, the boys at Don Bosco pushed Merson towards me. He walked forward with reluctant steps, butwith a big smile playing on his face. We shook hands and he was immediately at ease. Though his tall, built frame intimidated me, I was pleased with his pleasant demeanor. I was thoroughly impressed by Merson’s motto in life, which is to ‘Have Fun’, come what may. He told me that he never gets bogged down by the troubles in life and has learnt to look at the brighter side of life. Merson believed in living life to the fullest and greeting difficulties with a smile. A smile just like the one he is giving me now, I thought to myself.
Merson doesn’t have a particularly traumatic past to talk about. He said quite proudly that he was never keen on studies and had bunked classes, while he should be studying. “I was more involved with plucking mangoes”, confesses Merson with a sheepish smile. “But now I have begun to take life more seriously. I want to get into the Navy”, Merson. He was inspired by his Boxing Master who is a Naval Officer. When we sat there discussing about the other loves in his life, he mentioned about his girlfriends. “I’m serious with one, just flirting around with the rest”, he said with a wink. Men! Sigh! Sorry I couldn’t help being a feminist here. Anyways, I move on after promising that I wouldn’t let out his ‘secret’ to the Father.
Family: Abhilash's family includes Father, Mother, three sisters and two brothers. Father drives an Autoriksha that was donated to him by some good hearted tourists from abroad. Abhilash says that his father also has a cycle and also works as a hotel supplier.
Abhilash's family own's no home and depends on the street to lie down during night. His good fate brought him and his younger sister to Kerala. He didn't want to go anywhere else, but his sister was being misleaded by one of his friends and happened to reach the railway station in Jaipur. His sister insisted him to leave their place, so they both got into the train and finally reached Kerala. As they both was found roaming hither and thither, some good people got hold of them and took them to Mother Theresa's Convent. Both Abhilash and his sister was taken to Anandhabhavan in Thrissur. After completing studies till 4th standard in Anandhabhavan, Abhilash was brought to Snehabhavan. While his sister is still continuing studies in Trissur. Now, Abhilash is in 6th standard. He is least interested in studies, but wants to earn a living very soon. He is ready to do any job that gives him some earning. He is very much interested in Cricket, Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Judo, and Karate.
Family: Sreenivas's father is mentally ill and is missing. Mother is doing household works to make her living. His two and half year old brother is looked after by his mother.
Hailing from Andra Pradhesh, Srrenivas's family was shifted to Orissa. After the marriage, his parents came down to Kerala. But they used to come and go to Orissa very often. His father was supervisor of a shipping company that exports fish from Orissa to Kerala. It was during this time that his father showed symptoms of metal absence and then suddenly one day was found missing. Sreenivas do not know where his father is now and it is going to be two years and more, since he is missing.
Good in studies Sreenivas scores high marks almost in all the subjects, especially in English. He wants to be a businessman. Cricket, Football, Caroms, Judo and boxing are the areas of his interests. Good also in sports, Sreenivas excels in running and long jump. He is a great dancer too. A fan of Michael Jackson, Sreenivas lists out a number of film stars whom he is a fan of.
Family: Kumar's family includes his Father, Mother, Younger Sister and Grandmother. Kumar's father is not able to work because one of his hands is paralyzed and has affected by foot corns. His mother and grandmother goes for collecting old iron pieces or materials from houses or streets and the little money they get from selling it makes the living. His younger sister goes to work in a cashew nut factory.
Kumar has got a great list of runaway stories to narrate. At his very younger age, he ran away from home for at least 10 times. During all these time Kumar had only one aim in mind, that he wants to make some money. The pathetic condition at home made him to dream of a good life and to achive this, he should look for some living. Many times police brought him back to his own home or was taken to Juvenile home, but for him a safe stay was not the only aim. He have traveled to Madras and Bangalore during such adventerous trips from home. It was during one of such tenure that Kumar happened to be in Ernakulam and finally ended up in Snehabhavan.
Kumar likes to study, but he needs a job very soon and want to look after his family. Now he studies in 7th standard. Kumar believes that he has the ability to study only till 10th standard, as he is much behind when it comes to his age. He is ready to do any job that he can to look after the family. He is indulged in a variety of activities that Snehabhavan provides the children here to develop and prove their abilities. Apart from practicing Judo, Boxing, Football and Band, he is good in sports too. Kumar believes that Snehabhavan have raised his spirit and aspirations, providing him with all the facilities. He is very much obliged to the people in Snehabhavan for what is he now.
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