People In Need
Saravanan Aspires to be a Doctor
Twelve-year-old M. Saravanan lives at Boystown Gummidipoondi. He studies in Class 5 at the Government Secondary School, Madharapakkam, Gummidipoondi. He says he wants to be a doctor when he grows up. This seems a high ambition for a youngster from a broken and economically deprived home. Saravanan's father works as a mason but deserted Saravanan's mother many years ago and has no contact with the family. Saravanan's older brother works as lorry cleaner and his mother and sister are maid servants with a combined income of Rs.1,000 ($20) per month.
When he came to live at Boystown, Saravanan realized that his ambition was within his reach. He was eight years old and alive with enthusiasm and an eagerness to learn. Good nutrition, hygiene and a stable home environment soon brought his latent talents to the fore. His quick mind and hard work have ensured that he is never less than first or second in his class. And when he isn't absorbed in his books, Saravanan's passion is cricket. The Indian cricket team has an ardent fan in Saravanan whose particular hero is Yuvaraj Singh.
Girlstown Begins with a Smile…50 of Them, in Fact
Founder of Tripura, Dr. Baskaran Pillai, has always endeavored to help under privileged girls in India to achieve a higher education and to overcome the social, physical and psychological barriers of poverty. In June 2005, with your help, Tripura Foundation, launched its first Girlstown Program. Forty-one sponsors agreed to support 50 girls. Sponsors traveled to Chennai, India to meet their sponsored children, and even performed a talent show for the girls which included a rendition of Old MacDonald Had a Farm replete with animal noises. Afterward the girls were taken to their new home, where they let loose with great excitement. Many had never seen such a large dwelling much less believed that they would ever live in one.
Dreams of a Budding Young Artist
In His Own Words
"My name is Pushparajan and I joined Boystown in Class 11. My father is a farm labourer and I had no expectations beyond becoming a labourer too. But I loved studying and my dream was to be an artist. I didn't see how I could stay in school beyond Class 10. For one, my family couldn't afford to educate me further and two, they expected me to start contributing to the expenses of home.
My uncle had heard about Boys Town and brought me here after I'd passed out of Class 10. I was admitted at once. I couldn't believe my good fortune in having a sponsor who would pay for my education, room and board. As a way of saying thank you, I painted some pictures and sent them to my sponsor. I've always painted but once I joined Boystown I found an appreciative audience for my work. Even villagers have asked me to paint pictures for their homes.
Today, I've completed my Bachelor of Science degree in Botany. I'm hoping I can make a living as an artist. I have options. I'm hoping to do a multimedia course and pursue jobs along that line."
Mexican Youths Get New Lease on Life
Phonemic Intelligence in Juvenile Detention Centers
"I heard about the sounds thanks to the PI teacher at the Juvenile Detention Center who wants us to get ahead and improve our lives. I have just begun using the techniques. I am practicing them in order to have a better life since once the mind is at peace everything else is in harmony and these things I'm learning from using the sounds. The times I've practiced I've felt as if my body is relaxing." Francisco J.V.M (age 17, juvenile detainee)
"I have recently begun practicing [the techniques] which has helped me clearly visualize myself in the future. I never had a long term goal, living only in the present without thinking much about the future. They have also helped me have emotional control where before I had lots of emotions (anger, hate, sadness, depression, etc.) which constantly affected me." J. Fernando G.M.(age 17, juvenile detainee)
Ramkumar Experiences a Miracle
When Ramkumar was admitted to Boystown his parents had no idea that his life would change so drastically. They knew that their son wanted to study. But with their combined earnings as daily labourers, they didn't see how they could fufill his dream. His father took a second job as an ice cream seller but his long hours under the punishing Madras sun still couldn't bring in the required money. Then someone told them about Boystown, a place where their son would be educated and cared for free of cost.
Ramkumar was admitted to Boystown when he was 13 years old and in Class 9. Today, this 18-year-old with a ready smile is pursuing a civil diploma at the C.N. Polytechnic in Vepery, Madras. He dreams of getting a good job as a construction site supervisor and his dedicated efforts should see his dream to fruition.
Girlstown Testimonial - by S.Karthiga
In Her Own Words
"When I was in my home, I studied in a bad family situtation. I scored the rank between 20 to 30, but now I score the rank between 1 to 3. This all happened by way of mindfulness techniques, Mind Sounds, and Grace Light. I was suffering a lot in my home. I am always happy nowadays. I learned discipline in Girlstown. If I have any doubt in my subject I can rectify it suddenly by the help of our miss (caretakers are also qualified teachers). I have a pen pal at California. I could not get opportunities like this in my home. Really I am a lucky girl, that's why I get the chance to study at Girlstown."
Mother Discovers New Hope for Son’s Future
Suresh's mother is a maid servant who earns about Rs.6,000 ($120) a year. After her husband died, she struggled for years to raise Suresh and his two sisters (one of them mentally retarded) on her meagre earnings. When Suresh was 13 years old, his mother heard about Boystown where the only criteria for admission was that the boys had to be from the poorest of the poor. This, she decided, was her son's only hope for a good future.
Suresh was admitted to Boystown on January 4, 2002. Free from financial worries and in a secure home environment, Suresh is now a class topper and aims to complete his Bachelor's degree in Commerce. He wants a good job that will enable him to look after his mother and sisters.
Girlstown Testimonial- by K. Hemalatha
In Her Own Words
"In my house I felt bored and with school education. I wouldn't help to any one in my family. I never took response in my studies. I always was fighting with my family members. My mother worried about me alot.
Now there are changes in my life. After entering the Girlstown , I take care in my education so that I got between the rank 1 to 5. I help to my sisters and friends according to their needs. I have a thought to ignore the word Poverty from the world. After that I feel my body and soul get positive energy. Due to that I am happy with peace of mind. I learned the meanings of love and affection in our Girlstown only. During the holidays I taught what I have learned to my family members and native friends. I ask them to ignore their bad life. I will do succes in my life."
Boystown Director Proud of Boys
V. Aramugam, Assistant Director, Boystown, Gummidipoondi
"When our boys do well in life, then we feel we have achieved something. One of our boys now works for the National Agro Foundation, another is a computer engineer, another has set up his factory and manufactures sweet boxes. He now employs boys who pass out of Boystown! We are also happy that the surrounding villages hold us in high regard and that we have been able to help them by donating cows, holding medical camps and literacy programmes."
Story of Simiyon
Boystown Graduate Gives Back
S. Simiyon is now 25 years old finishing up his M Phil, after completing his BA, MA, and BEd. His love is in Historical Studies and research and after graduating this summer he plans to get either a government officer position or maybe teach at a college level.
He has won 1st place in the district at a BA level in Tamil language, placed 3rd at a State level in Leadership Training, has spoken at a college for English, and has qualified for many international competitions.
He is the only one ever to be educated in his family line. He is also the first one of his native village to get a degree.
Simiyon came to Boystown at 12 years old. His father died leaving his mother with 3 children to raise on a coolie's wages. She is a day laborer taking on small house keeping jobs.
For 16 years now Simiyon has only been back to his village 1 or 2 days every year. He loves his family and his village, however he has no desire to holiday there as Boystown is his home. He considers Mr Kannan the administrator his father, and the other staff his family. Boystown changed his life. He has been provided with education and the other necessities and also built good character and a humane outlook by examples shown to him. Entering Boystown changed his life but he says that 10th standard, in 1999, was the real turning point. He failed his government exams. The staff at supporters of Boystown believed in him however and got him extra tutoring and gave moral support. He passed and the rest is history.
He will live at Boystown until he finishes his degrees. He works part time as a guide, mentor, and tutor for the younger boys. He will continue to support Boystown even when he is out in the world and his deep desire is to ‘pay it forward'. His dream is to help the poor people and give them the same opportunities that he has had.
