Arogya Maria- HK 166

‘Give thanks to the Lord for the marvelous deeds of the Lord. I am Arogya Maria a sponsored child of ASHA Charitable Trust and Caritas Hradec Kralove. I realized that ASHA Trust is an instrument in identifying the poor and the needy for financial support for Education and Caritas Hradec Kraloveis the main source of this genuine service. I was lucky to be chosen by ASHA Charitable Trust and Caritas Hradec Kralove. I raise my heart in gratitude to Lord for the wonderful work our Archdiocese of Bangalore is doing with the assistance of Caritas Hradec Kralove. I will always remember how you helped me in the days of my struggles and difficulties.

I began to receive sponsorship from 5th standard in 2007-08. In those days my family had terrible sufferings and problems. My father was working in a hotel as a daily wager with small salary. He did not have regular work. So he found it very difficult to pay for the school fees, uniform, books etc. In those difficult days, I was chosen to be one of the ASHA sponsored children.

So my Father got some relief from his burden because ASHA and Caritas Hradec Kralove covered all the expenses that occurred in the school. Since I had no money I never used to take part in the cultural events of the school, because that gave additional trouble for my father. But after joining ASHA, I began to join for the co-curricular activities in school. I received many prizes. In 10th standard I joined in the ‘Guides’ in school which made me so happy to become a member of it. I also took part in the school excursion to Kodaikannal and the happy memories of it are still alive in me. I got 1st class in SSLC. My family was extremely happy. I continued my education and completed PUC during the following year. Even in II PUC I secured 1st class and got a seat in a government college for the Degree in B. Com. I also took up computer classes for three months. Now my studies are going on well and I am so happy about it.

This year in ASHA they opened an account in my name because now I am considered as a major. Earlier it was in joined account with my mother. This also made me so proud to be your sponsored child. This gave me an opportunity to learn how to do the money transaction and also how to make some small savings in the Bank.

Joining in ASHA gave me lots of opportunity to grow in all levels. Every year ASHA and Caritas Hradec Kralove used to organize 2 camps in a year wherein I learned a lot on prayer, dance, singing and health activities etc. which enabled my personal development. This gathering also helped me to write letters to my sponsors and learned how to be grateful to them always. I participated in all the camps with great enthusiasm. The letters and gifts which you had sent for me gave lots of joy and I felt very proud to be your sponsored child.

My family members were so happy about my progress. Before joining ASHA my family condition was very bad, even my health also was not good. During the season of rain we all used to get wet because our house was very small and broken everywhere. Lots of water used to enter in the rooms. My mother was working as a house maid and was getting very less wages. It was not enough at all for us. My parents had to pay my fee, my brother’s fee, uniform, books, house rent, food my eye check up etc. Now my mother gets more time to take care of us, as she stopped going for the works. After joining ASHA and Caritas Hradec Kralove, my brothers’ fees and my fees are taken care off. My eye check up also is going on regularly. We also shifted to a Sheeted house. So hereafter our house will not leak during rainy days.

I want to do CA. I am extremely thankful to our beloved Archbishop who initiated this project to support the poor and needy. I am also extremely thankful to the agencies that support this Project. God bless everyone who is involved in running this project for the welfare of the loving children of God. I wind up this success story. I pray to God to help me accomplish my aim and to make me an instrument to help others in whatever way I can.

I thank you for giving me this wonderful opportunity to write my success story. Thank you.

Arogya Maria

HK- 166