Happy birthday Sandesh!

August 25, we celebrated the birthday of Sandesh. He is 13 years old now! 

                                                                 Sandesh in his new birthday clothes.

                                                                       Sandesh proudly shows one of his presents.                                                           

He recieved nice gifts and a beautifull cake. Sandesh really enjoyed the day!

A trip to the fair

House of Hope has come to know Sapna, a lady who runs Arohead; a fitness club. She and the club members have been very nice to House of Hope. They invited the staff and children to the gym and arranged a great program for us with clowns and activities. They also attented birthday parties of the children. Recently they donated a trip to the fun fair for all the staff and children!

There was a miniature version of the Tajal Mahal. The children loved it!

                                                         Sakshi and Angel in front of a miniature version of the Taj Mahal

                       Sonali and little Esther

                                                                          Everyone in front of the Taj Mahal
 

                                                                           All of our twelve boys

                                                                      Sakshi, Chetan, Sahara and Tanmai taking a ride

Everyone had a wonderfull evening that none of them won't forget!

Special visitors

Two weeks ago, a church group from the US visited us. They organised a really nice program for the children of House of Hope:

Crafts for all the children

                                                                        Outside games

                                                              Action songs

                                                                        Bible study for the older and smaller children

It was an amazing group of people! The children and staff enjoyed their company a lot and had a lot of fun doing the activities and games. After the program, we all had dinner together. When they left, they showered us with beautiful gifts. One of our staff said: "this is the first time in my life I recieve a present. I feel so special now!" We were all amazed by everything this group has given us!

                                                                     Everyone together

Happy birthday Sanatan!

Last Wednesday we celebrated Sanatan's birthday. He is 12 years old now! On Tuesday evening he went shopping with Sangita and choose a nice birthday outfit.  

                                                             Sanatan proudly showing his birthday clothes


On Wednesday at lunchtime we ate his favorite dish: chinese noodles with egg. 

                                                            Sanatan and Sandesh eating lunch



After school he got a nice birthday cake with a lot of candles. When everyone finished their cake, we turned up the music. All the children danced and made a lot of fun. Santan really enjoyed it! 

Our team!

We as staff of House of Hope feel happy and proud to introduce to you again our team. Last couple of months there have been some changes in our team. Some have been working in HoH for years, others recently joined us:

          Up from left to right: Deepika, Rajeshree, Agnes, Anita                        

Down from left to right: Paula, Sangita

Sangita is our manager. She worked in House of Hope from the very beginning and works her for already 10 years now! The children know her very well and trust her. Sangita is a happy person; she likes to make jokes, but most of all she likes to make the children happy. For her, the kids of House of Hope are as her own family. Sangita’s efforts to take care of the children has been amazing. She has been helping out night and day.

Last year Paula, a Dutch lady joined House of Hope as a volunteer.  Since June, she is co-manager of HoH. Paula is a social worker and loves to work with children. Paula is training the staff and children.

Agnes already works for 6 years House of Hope. Agnes is like a mother to the children. She gives lots and lots of love and attention to the kids. She is a very warm person and serves the children with her whole heart. Agnes also counsels the staff and children.

                                 Agnes with Sanatan and Tejas in a waterpark 

Rajeshree works for 4,5 years in HoH now. Rajeshree is very committed, humble, works hard and treats the kids as her own children. She always watches the kids carefully and gives them individual attention.

We are sad that our staff members Pinkie, Mary and Renu quit working with us. These ladies were very kind and loving to the children and shared many special moments with the kids.

In their place there have came two new staff members:

Anita just joined us two weeks ago. Anita’s brother died because he had HIV. Everyone rejected him because he suffered from HIV. Now Anita wants to make a change and give the kids care and love instead of rejection. Anita is a loving person and wants to give children the best.

Since two months, Deepika works with us. Deepika had a hard time before she came to House of Hope. She had no place to stay, lived on the street and had no family who took care of her. The first weeks she had to adjust and learn how to live and work in House of Hope. Now she says: “I learned so many things here. For the first time of my life I am happy. Here I learned I am special and beautiful!”

                                          Deepika and Esther

Monthly newsletter

Do you like to know what is happenening in House of Hope? From now on we will send a House of Hope newsletter every month. If you would like to recieve it, please send and e-mail to info@brightstareducation.org and please designate if you would like to recieve it in English or Dutch.

Help from a nurse

Last week Courtney Richter, a nurse from the US helped as for a whole week. She gave our staff training about health, medicines and first aid. She also updated our first aid box. She was a great help! The staff learned many things from her.  Thank you Courtney!

Two brothers

Tejas, our new boy has ajusted really well and feels at home. When you see him now, his face is shining. Tejas has a lot of energy and greets everyone very enthoustically. He is 13 years old and loves going to school. Tanmay and Tejas are happy to be together.
















The two brothers Tanmay (l) and Tejas (r)

We have the joy of announcing another new boy in our home. Sagar is the small brother of Vishal. When their parents died, the two boys were seperated. Vishal went to their grandparents and Sagar went to the grandparents of the other side. The boys didn't see each other for years. Vishal's grandparents couldn't take care of him anymore and brought him to House of Hope. Recently we heard from the grandparents where Sagar stayd, that they getting too old to take care of Sagar. Sagar is HIV+ and his grandparents didn't have the energy anymore to go frequently to the hospital for medication and check-ups. They live in a rural area and the hospital was a long travel. Because of this Sagar's health was really weak. When he came to House of Hope, we were worried about him.
In HoH he got good food and the medication that he needed. In a short time Sagar got really strong and healthy! Sagar is very glad to be in House of Hope. Sagar has a soft nature and really likes to help. We are all very thankfull Sagar is doing do well! 









Sagar (l) and his brother Vishal (r)

A new boy!

Monday 30 April we welcomed a new boy, Tejas. He is Tanmay's older brother. When we heard he was coming, Tanmay was very happy!
Both parents of the boys died. Their family didn't take care of them and seperated them. Now, after two years they are finally united again!

All the children welcomed him and said to him he is a new member of the family. All the boys gave him a hug and all the children prayed for him. Tejas says he is very happy that he lives in HoH now. Welcome Tejas!

A Picnic!

A few weeks ago, the Hindustani Church in Pune took the children and staff on a picnic. It was a wonderful time for everyone to enjoy being in nature, away from the busyness of the city and daily life. They had lunch together, sang songs, had a program, and enjoyed having lots of fun together. It was great for the kids to be out for a whole day! Much thanks to the Hindustani Church for blessing the kids and staff at HOH!

Birthday Week!

We have SO many birthdays in April! 3 birthdays were celebrated just this week!

Happy Birthday Esther! You came into our lives almost one year ago. Your sweet smile is one of our greatest joys. We have loved every moment with you - watching you learn to sit up, crawl, stand and now walk! Your future is very bright and beautiful and we are so grateful that you are part of our lives!

Happy Birthday Ranjana! Once a shy young girl, now you are bursting with life. We are so blessed to have you in our home, Ranjana and proud of the improvements you are making in your life. Your love and care for the little school children and your willingness to serve is a wonderful example to all the other kids in House of Hope. We love you and wish you all the best for the new year!

Happy Birthday Tanmai! Your laughter and energy fills our home with joy. You are always so eager to greet us with a smile and hugs. We love to watch you play and grow. We are so proud of you and excited for all that you will learn in this new year.

Easter Fun

House of Hope celebrated Easter this past weekend. A local Marathi church is meeting in the Bright Star school building nearby, so all the staff and children enjoyed going to Good Friday and Easter programs. This children were so excited to wear their nice clothes for this special day.

On Saturday, some friends from America came to visit. They dyed Easter eggs, played games, made necklaces and keychains and enjoyed some yummy sweets.

Vishal and his Easter egg

Decorating eggs

Agnes helping the little children

Happy Easter from House of Hope!

A Fire at House of Hope

Yesterday we had quite a scare at House of Hope. In the morning, while all the children were in school, a van crashed into the wall of HOH and burst into flames. It was very close to the house and we were worried that the gas tank might explode and burn our home. Fortunately no school children were in the HOH garden for outside playtime and our staff and little Esther who were in the house got out quickly and safely.

Fire and Police Trucks arrive

The fire drew quite a crowd and the fire department, police and rescue trucks arrived quickly and put out the flames. We are very thankful that God took care of everyone and our house.

Damage to the wall

The fire came so close to our house, but nothing was damaged!

Small Things Can Make the Biggest Difference!

We can do no great things; only small things with great love.

~Mother Teresa

House of Hope would not be what it is without the loving work and tender care provided by some very beautiful women.  It takes a lot of time, resources, energy, and patience to care for 17 children every day, but these women do so with excellence and love. It is the “small things” that make the difference in these children’s lives.

Agnes helps the girls transition from school to afternoon activities. 

Pinky (right) is teaching Sonali how to cook Indian food. 

Nanda has learned how to care for her little daughter Esther
from her interactions with the staff ladies in House of Hope. 

Getting to know Chetan

Hiding behind this beautiful, kind smile is a very energetic boy. Chetan appears to be very quiet, but once you get to know him, you discover that he enjoys conversing on just about any topic and really loves football and art (drawing). He also plays the drums really well! He is very helpful and plays nicely with the younger children at House of Hope. He isn’t one to give up easily---he will practice over and over and over again until he is satisfied with his task. Chetan says he wants to play football and be an artist when he grows up and we believe he can do it!

Footballer Chetan

Chetan loves McDonalds!

February Update

Its been a fun month at House of Hope. New interns arrived from Holland and America at the beginning of the month and the kids have had a great time getting to know them.

We also celebrated Valentines day by decorating heart-shaped sugar cookies! The kids loved it and were FULL of energy afterwards, of course :)

The boys at House of Hope would also like everyone to know that they LOVE football!

Its never a dull moment around our house! 

Happy Birthday Anush!

On Monday, Anush turned 13 years old. We celebrated with a rockstar guitar cake and dance party after school. Anush told us that he couldn't sleep the night before, because he was so excited about his birthday. In India on your birthday, it is traditional to take chocolates to school and give to everyone. Anush was so eager to give out chocolates to all his classmates and teachers. He came to the school office to give Sangita Aunty a chocolate and the first thing he said was, "Aunty thank you so much for taking me shopping for my new birthday clothes!" Anush's character is remarkable. He is a very kind boy, very rarely does he fight with any other children. He is always very respectful and has very good manners. He struggled in school some last year, but has worked really hard this year and is doing much better now. We are very happy that Anush is at House of Hope and we wish him a very happy birthday and new year!

Anush's Guitar Birthday Cake

Very happy birthday boy!

Sharing the cake

Prasanna, Angel and Tanmay enjoying the birthday cake and chips. 

Friday Fun Night

Friday night at House of Hope is family night. Interns and friends who work with House of Hope come for dinner with the kids and it is always a fun, LOUD evening. Before dinner the kids have a Bible study and sing songs. Then we all sit down (on the floor, Indian style) and have a yummy dinner of curry. After dinner, we usually play games. At the end of the night, the kids are exhausted and ready for bed. Its a great time to share life with these kids. Here's some pictures from our Friday Fun Nights....

Eating dinner Indian style

Daal, egg curry and rice

Tanmay says the food was yummy!

Swamini helping with the dishes.

Sonali and Ranjana

After dinner, Chetan "borrowed" Daniel Uncle's motorcycle helmet.

Who is taller?? Our boys are growing so fast!

Esther and Angel are friends. 

The boys ended the night by playing some football.