Meet and Greet #'s 4 & 5

Welcome to the 3rd and final installment of introductions to the children. Meet Bovas and Kripa Parayolikkal Shaji (P.S.). Bovas (8) and Kripa (5) are the 2 youngest of 5 children in their family. They come from a Christian home, but a very poor one. They have both mother and father living, but only their mother is able to work. Many years ago their father was injured at work and now has severe back problems. As I said before in Indian culture the children must take care of their parents when they are older, so Bovas and Kripa’s mother also takes care of her mother who has cancer and lives in their home. Their mother is a sweeper in a hospital and makes very little money with which she must be the sole provider for the family. That being said, with the medical expenses, bills, and school fees adding up she decided that Bovas and Kripa would be better provided for at Jubilee.

Kripa is the youngest child and the only girl at Jubilee so it took her a little time to adjust to being away from her family, understandably so. She is doing great now though! She is very playful but also a girly-girl. Riny, being the only other female in the house, loves to pamper Kripa and Kripa loves it in return. Kripa carries her doll everywhere and can spout her ABC’s at a moment’s notice. She is such an adorable little girl!

Unlike the other children at Jubilee who have adjusted quickly without problem, we have had some behavioral problems with Bovas. On several occasions Bovas has been found hoarding food, and stealing money. This behavior is typical for children who have come from environments where their needs weren’t being met. In their minds they are ensuring that they will have what they need in the future. After contacting his mother about the behavior she informed us of another instance much like this one. Apparantly Bovas had been in another children’s home last year, which we were unaware of, and was found stealing food. Because of this the children’s home refused to keep him and he was sent back home to live with his family. At Jubilee we do not give up on children and we will not send him home. We hope to change his thought process so he knows that we will provide him with what he needs and that we will help to give him an education and job skills so that he will be able to provide for himself when he leaves us. Riny and Joseph and very patient and loving and are counseling him, as well as the other children. Pray for Bovas and other children across the world who have not had or do not have their needs met. Pray that their mouths and minds can be fed! Pray that they learn that God is their true Provider.

Another sponsorship plug :). If you are interested in sponsoring Bovas, Kripa, or any of the other children at Jubilee email me at cgmcdonough@gmail.com or leave a comment with your contact information and I will get back to you! Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers in this endeavor!