Babies leaving for adoption

These babies are dressed in special pretty dresses to go to join their new adoptive parents, and begin what we hope will be a new, happier life.

Alistair will be leaving us

A few months ago, a couple came forward saying they were 3-year-old Alistair's parents and asking to take him. The courts have examined their claim and finally approved it so he will be leaving us in the next few days. We are all going to miss him and there have been a few moist eyes amongst the staff. We are all hoping his parents will take good care of him. The Mercy Home director will be giving them a little talk about the fact that they abandoned him for 3 years, and challenging them to be good parents.

New Packages of Supplies

Recently quite a few packages have arrived at the Mercy Home.
A complete list of the packages can be found at: http://www.reliefprojects.org/Packages_recd.html
On the left, Suleka is wearing a pretty dress that arrived in one of the packages. On the right is a wonderful set of 'Peter and Jane' readers which we will use to teach the older toddlers to read.

Asika and Sujita Adopted!

We are so happy that these two toddlers, both of whom are 2 years old, have finally been adopted by good families who are happy to have them. We miss them but wish them and their new families a happy, loving life together.

More Renovations

Some of the dormitories for the senior citizens have been renovated. (Thanks again to Claretian supporters in Spain.)



Before.... and after

There are new photos of the toddlers on our website. Enjoy!
New Little Darlings Photos

TV Report

SBS TV Channel in Australia did a very good new article on our work at the Mercy Home and on the problem of unwanted female babies. The show can be watched on their internet site:
http://www.sbs.com.au/dateline/story/watch/id/600752/n/Mercy-Mission

Divining for water

First the man walks around with a magnet on a string. When it starts swinging wildly, that indicates the presence of water. Then he checks with a coconut!! The coconut wobbles and even falls off his hand over the same spot where he thinks there's water. Jesse wanted to try! And all the neighbours came to watch the fun.

Land Purchase

Here is a view across the land that was purchased for RPI for a new SHE centre, to promote the health and welfare of mothers and children, especially female and physically challenged children. The centre will also be involved in the fight against female infanticide and foeticide. The land is located near Usilampatti, which is the heart of the infanticide belt in this part of Tamil Nadu.

Generator room.

Thanks to Brandon, the small generator for the nursery has been moved from under the stairs, where the diesel fumes blew right into the nursery. It is now housed in a specially built room on the roof.

Renovating the shower rooms for the elderly.

Thanks to the generosity of friends of the Claretians in Spain, the bathrooms for the elderly have had a 'face lift' and are vastly improved from the dilapidated and moldy state they were in. Tiling is underway in their bedrooms too, but sponsorship is still needed for a room for the dying.

Toddler Progress

The toddlers are making lots of good progress. Asika is now walking, the quieter ones like Manchu and Rani are much happier, and they are learning lots. They love their flash cards and have already learned, fruits, vegetables, wild and domestic animals and transport. They even know the flags of Asia. "What is this?" asks Jennifer, "Bhutan, or India, or Japan" reply excited little voices. Glen Doman was right--toddlers love to learn and can learn anything presented to them in a fun manner.

Good News

A friend of ours is sending the x-rays of Suleka's leg to a specialist in the USA. This doctor is part of a team of doctors who visit India once a year to perform specialist operations. We do not yet know if it is possible to do anything for her condition but we are thankful to be able to get expert advice. (For those who are new to this blog, Suleka is a beautiful 3-year old girl at the Mercy Home who was born with a thigh bone missing in one leg.)

New Babies

Over the past few weeks, 7 babies have gone for adoption, and 8 new ones have arrived. Surprisingly, we received 4 boys--from unwed mothers.
Here is the new baby who was brought one month ago by the sad mummy below:

Evening walk

We always enjoy accompanying the toddlers for their evening walk. And we are encouraged to see how much English they have learned! Here is Jesse with his little friends.