Karunya Mane now houses 32 kids, five adults, and three full-time staff members, and engages five tutors and several volunteers. The kids at KM are from the streets of Mysore or from difficult slum conditions. Everyone has settled nicely in at KM, and the kids attend a nearby school, and participate in daily after-school tutoring and twice-a-week karate lessons.

Our staff include our excellent manager and his wife, Ramesh and Saroja, who are exceptional at their duties, and a full-time, live-in cook. Once a month, our friendly and helpful volunteer and “kid inspector,” Anuradha Ganesh, visits KM to talk to the kids about a variety of topics, such as being good people, maintaining a loving and supportive family environment at KM, being grateful for everything given to them, and maintaining good living habits like eating healthy food and keeping themselves and their areas clean.

In August, volunteers from Infosys planted 56 trees on our grounds. The kids had a great time helping them dig holes and plant the trees.

At times, Karunya Mane shelters abused women from their husbands. We ensure that the women file the proper reports with the police, who then issue warnings or arrest warrants for the men depending on the nature and degree of the crime. Domestic violence is a significant issue in India, and some of our mothers have faced frequent beatings if they fail to give their earnings to their husbands, who then proceed to drink or gamble with the money.

The Street People Program continues with our daily visits to the street. The program, assisting 30+ individuals with everything from housing, medical, and shelter from abusive husbands, is also a source of kids for Karunya Mane. Our street moms refer other destitute children they know to us, which is how we met Divya, Netravati, Shanti, Vinod, Arvind, Anand, and Swarana, as well as our handyman and night watchman (and Divya’s dad), Ramu, all of whom are now all happily living at KM.

Last issue, we wrote about being destitute and living with HIV/AIDS. To help even more destitutes, especially those stricken by HIV/AIDS and other debilitating diseases, we’ve recently expanded our Project Food program. With assistance from local HIV clinics that put us in contact with their poorest patients, we now provide a monthly care package to these kids and families.

For just over $1.00 per day, payable at $400 (Rs.17,000) per year or $33.33 (Rs.1400) per month for 12 months, you can sponsor one of our Karunya Mane kids. Your sponsorship pays for their stay at KM, including food, clothing, and education and medical needs. In return, you will receive a report on your child, and if you are ever in Mysore, you can even meet him or her. Several of our sponsors have met their kids, a touching experience.

You may sponsor a child here, indicating in the comment box on our donation page that you are sponsoring a Karunya Mane or Project Food and More child. You may also send a check to one of our mailing addresses (the U.S. or India), indicating that you would like to sponsor a child.