Story of Change by Raju Venkatesh El Shaddai Child Rescue Goa India

Raju has two younger sister and two younger brothers, who were also rescued and are in our care. Raju originates from Andhra Pradesh. Due to poverty and unemployment Raju's parents migrated from Andhra Pradesh to Goa in search of work. But it was a worse fate that met them here, for, being unskilled workers they were often without any work which meant there was no food to eat. Thus Raju, his siblings, and parents lived in the open, with the sky as their roof and the earth as their bed near the Mapusa market. Living under poverty stricken conditions, the children were deprived of all basic amenities including schooling and medical aid. Moreover there was the threat and fear of the Police driving them away from wherever they were staying and other anti-social elements. In this situation of utter poverty and helplessness, Raju's parents started drinking and began forcing the children to beg for alms. They are now admitted in one of our residential Homes. Raju and his siblings are trying to forget the bitter memories of their past and has started a new life with our help. Now Raju and his siblings are provided with nourishing food, a good education, healthy environment for a secure future.