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!