Searching a new home

These lovely people are looking for a new home! The owner of the appartment we are renting now, wants to sell the  home, which means that we have to move mid November. For weeks we have been looking into new homes now, and we've seen quite some nice homes. But everytime the owner finds out the children living House of Hope are HIV positive he doesn't want to close the deal.They are so afraid that somehow their house will be infected and they might get aids as well. It is so sad that there's such a lot of weird ideas  and misconceptions about aids here in India.And so difficult to fight against it...

Sangita is seeing brokers every day, hoping and praying that this owner will accept us. Please pray with us for a new home, we only have 3 weeks left.

Diwali!!

Yesterday we celebrated Diwali in House of Hope. Diwali is one of the manin festivals in India - The New Year according to the Hinud Calendar.


Every year it is an incredible large celebration with fireworks, food and beautiful decorated homes. Lanterns, candles, flowers, and colored sand decorations on the floor all give the feeling of Christmas and New Year in the way we experienced in Holland.

Arriving at House of Hope we fun. All the children were dressed up with pretty saris and kurta pajama’s and all very happy to see us. The kids, staff and interns made up a group of over 30 people; all enjoying the party. After a buffet of Indian snacks and of course Biryani (rice with chicken and vegetables), we played games. BINGO was a great success and a challenge as well. False Bingos was pretty much the way it went and the kids had to perform songs when they made up their own winnings giving the evening a lot of performances!

We all had great fun. A few children won every round and their response was that they had been praying before every round and that’s why they won!

At around 9:00pm the area became a quite dangerous caused by the fireworks flying around. Amazing how the Indian people enjoy NOISE! My ears are still beeping, but the kids had a great time! The cool part is that we can do this twice a year… since December is on its way!

Missing Ganesh

With the death of Ganesh, House of Hope has had a difficult time. Everybody is missing his smiles. He was always happy even when very sick.

Some of the staff members wondered why they are taking care of the children when they are slowly dying. Even Sangita was about to give up as dealing with the loss of the second child was very difficult.

We explained to her the value of taking care of children thrown away by the society, even when they are dying. To give a purpose in the lives of the children helps to give them life back.

It is a big encouragement that everyone visiting the home notices the joy and happiness. Somehow people are not expecting children with HIV/Aids to have a hope for the future and live a normal life.

Our own children are dealing with it their own way. Nadine for example was wondering if Jesus has built enough homes in Heaven... Two of her friends have died so far.

The picture shows Ganesh the day before he died. It is the reality we have to deal with. Please stand with us in support and prayer as the children also deal with the harsh realities caused by HIV Aids.

Hello everybody,

Asha sadan is the Hindi name for House of Hope. It is an orphanage for HIV positive children in Pune, India. At the moment we have 14 children living with us in a 4 bedroom apartment. Asha Sadan is a place where children and ladies, rejected by their friends and family, find hope, love and acceptance again.

We have really sad news today. Ganesh, one of our boys has passed away at the age of 12. He had been sick for months and could not play anymore. All he did was just sitting on the sofa, watching the other children play. He could not go to school as well, because of breathing problems.

Even though we all miss him very much, we are excited to know that he is in heaven now, living a much better and healthy life with Jesus. We all cherish loving memories of him.