(This story was written as part of our 2025 GivingTuesday campaign with a goal to raise $400,000. This is one of the stories that helped us exceed that goal.)
Earlier this year, we introduced you to Ravi, a second grader. His mother, a widow and daily wage labourer, brought him to Shanti Bhavan with one hope: that his life wouldn’t mirror hers.
Then Ravi’s mother passed away unexpectedly.
Without parents, he has no home for holidays and no one to visit him on Parents’ Day.
What he does have, and will always have, is Shanti Bhavan.
When the news spread about his mother’s passing, the whole campus rallied behind him. Arasu, one of our graduates, sat with him during meals to give him company. In the dorm, Auntie Suji became his anchor. On nights when he felt scared, she stayed close by until he could finally drift off to sleep. His teachers adjusted his learning plan, giving him the grace to learn at his own pace while he grieved.
Ravi still has moments of sadness. Losing both parents has changed his life. But lately, he has started to smile again. His appetite has returned. He’s playing, laughing, and learning.
As Ravi grows, we’ll be there for him. When he’s sick, our medical team will care for him. When he struggles in his studies, a teacher will sit beside him until the lesson clicks. In middle school, we’ll coach him on confidence-building, leadership, and public speaking. In high school, we’ll prepare him for college to launch a career.
This is the standard of care every child at Shanti Bhavan receives, made possible because of you.
Donate Today
We hope that you will join us and help support more children like Ravi, because the children you help today will change the world tomorrow.
With gratitude,
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Gabby Mahesh |
