The very thought of gifts excite us. Whether it be a birthday gift, Christmas gift, wedding gift or just a gift of love from a friend, gifts are always thrilling to receive.

And if that gift could transform a life – what is more special?

Ravichandran is another beneficiary of family gifts.

His mother, Vijaya, works as a helper in a small school. Her husband was an auto driver. His addiction to alcohol resulted in jaundice but he could not give up his addiction. He eventually became bedridden for five months and passed away when he was only 37.

The family lives in a small mud-floored house, prone to flooding during the monsoon season. Moreover, rats  in the house cause lots of problems.

Three months back, a rat bit the boy’s leg. His parents did not take him to the hospital. Later it was found that his fourth toe was severely affected to the extent it had to be amputated. He couldn’t attend the final examinations at school and had to waste one year.

The family lives in abject poverty. There was no furniture in the house, not even a cot.

“To avoid insects and cockroaches entering our ears, we sleep with our ears closed with buds,” Ravichandran says.

With their gift, they purchased a cot. “We are able to escape insects and rats by sleeping on the cot instead of the floor,” explains Ravichandran with gratitude.

By Jayaseelan, IN Field Communications Specialist

To donate to the Compassion Christmas Fund, which ensures that all children in the programs are treated to a Christmas present and party, click here.

The very thought of gifts excite us. Whether it be a birthday gift, Christmas gift, wedding gift or just a gift of love from a friend, gifts are always thrilling to receive.

And if that gift could transform a life – what is more special?

Lavanya’s life has been a sad story.

Her mother passed away, leaving behind little Lavanya to the care of her aunt. “I have been with my aunt since my childhood,” remarks Lavanya. After her mother’s death, her father turned his back to his daughter and married another woman.

“In order to take care of me, my aunt never married.”

The family, comprised of Lavanya, her two aunts and grandfather, live in a little house. The gifts from Lavanya’s sponsor are a great source of blessing to the struggling family.

They have been able to purchase cupboards, a cot, a refrigerator and other household appliances. When there is a drought they have to walk a mile to get water, but this year through the gift, they were able to buy a bore well pump.

The entire family is living peacefully.

Not just that, with their reoccurring gift money, the project staff opened a bank account and saved Rs. 45000 (£523) in Lavanya’s bank account.

This will one day be used for either her education or for her wedding. In India, when girls get married, a large sum of money or jewels has to be given as dowry to the bridegroom. Often, the dowry demanded is far above what the family can afford. As a result, to get their daughter married, parents are forced to borrow the amount and then spend the rest of their lives repaying the amount borrowed.

But due to the love and support of her sponsor, Lavanya has a brighter future.

Lavanya finished 12th grade and will be starting her BA in history soon. She is immensely thankful for the gifts from her sponsor, David Barden, that have enabled her to scale great heights in life.

By Jayaseelan, Field Communications Specialist, Compassion India

To donate to the Compassion Christmas Fund, which ensures that all children in the programmes are treated to a Christmas present and party, click here.

The very thought of gifts excite us. Whether it be a birthday gift, Christmas gift, wedding gift or just a gift of love from a friend, gifts are always thrilling to receive.

And if that gift could transform a life – what is more special?

Selvam’s eyes fill with joy when gifts arrive – the family gifts from his Compassion sponsor. For a child like Selvam living in abject poverty, these gifts do wonders.

Selvam Karumalai lives in a small one-room house with his father Karumalai and mother Seetha. Karumalai is a rickshaw puller (a two-wheeled passenger cart pulled by a human runner), however, until recently, the rickshaw was not his own.

Rickshaw pullers are generally very poor men who are unable to buy their own rickshaws. They must rent them from a rickshaw owner. The rickshaw puller pays his dues every day to the rickshaw owner.

On average, Karumalai made Rs. 200-250 (£2-3) a day. However, since half of his hard-earned money went to pay the rental charges to the owner, he returned home with a meager income, barely enough to feed his family of five.

To provide an extra earning hand, Selvam’s mother, Seetha, worked as a domestic maid and earned Rs. 100 to 150 (£1-2) per day. Seetha works hard and struggles much. Often, she would be in tears.

The family lives in a small hut without walls. During monsoons, the hut would flood and the family would go without food.

Selvam was fortunate to be part of the Compassion program.

“I receive many family gifts from my sponsor Michael from the United States. We use this amount to buy provisions, a grinder, a mixer, clothes and bicycles. That helps pay tuition fees for the technical course, purchase kitchen utensils and emergency light. Last year, we used the amount to purchase a rickshaw for my father,”

As a result of the rickshaw, the family income has increased substantially. Selvam’s father now brings more money home. He is able to provide better for the family.

“We are so thankful for the family gifts, these gifts have helped us survive,” Selvam adds.

Selvam is currently pursuing an ITI course (a one-year course). Selvam’s testimonial is scarcely unique. He is just one of many others who have benefitted through the family gifts.

By Jayaseelan, IN Field Communications Specialist

To donate to the Compassion Christmas Fund, which ensures that all children in the programs are treated to a Christmas present and party, click here.