FROM THE FIELD
In January 2011 I went to India on behalf of HUGGS. I have travelled in India several times but this experience was so much more enriching and rewarding.
It was wonderful to meet our students and their families – they were all so grateful for the life HUGGS was providing for them. I was impressed with their beautiful manners, their sense of responsibility to their families, and their eagerness to study and get good marks in spite of very difficult circumstances. They all study in tiny rooms, sitting on the concrete floor and often with the only light, a bare light bulb overhead.
I especially remember The Picnic, the highlight of the students’ year. This is the one time each year when the students meet each another and strong friendships are begun. In this picture, I am standing with 4 of our students, Bhanu, Vijaya, Krishnaveni and Danalaxmi. They were all so eager to talk to us and to practice their English. After the buffet lunch, we all headed down to the beach for a group photo. What a memorable day! What a great group our HUGGS young people are!
Dear HUGGS,
This is Lalitha. Once again I have a chance to thank you for all your help. Now it is time for me to thank you for everything that I have received from you as I am completing my graduation from St. Joseph’s College.
All these five years had gone very well. Through HUGGS I learned many things like how to love and help others. I am very proud and happy to be a HUGGS student. I thank God for making me so.
There is good news for you. I have got a good job in a company called Bay Logic Technologies as a Computer Programmer. And you are there behind all my success!
I want to thank you for all your gifts, love, care and support. I have the desire to help others as I received help from you. HUGGS is my inspiration.
I love you all.
R. Lalitha
HUGGS Graduate becomes Mentor to current HUGGS students!
Six years ago an unexpected gift to HUGGS changed the life of a young woman.. Seventeen year old Sujatha was working in a hostel for room and board because her family couldn’t afford to keep her, let alone provide for further education. At that time, HUGGS founder Lisa Heel was in India, so was able to give Sujatha the amazing news, "Someone in Canada is sending money so that you can continue your studies to become a Math teacher!"
HUGGS has followed her educational journey over these six years. Last month Sujatha received her B. Ed. Degree and is now lecturing in a Women’s College in Vizag. For some time HUGGS has felt the need for someone who would be a mentor, particularly for the girl students. Who better than a young woman, herself a HUGGS graduate? We are delighted to announce that as of November 2010 Sujatha is the HUGGS Canada Field Worker in India.
Fall 2010
Our HUGGS supporters will be delighted to hear of the latest news of two of our students.
Continuing HUGGS student, Suresh, has had a big summer. After receiving his BSc. in Computer Science, he has just been accepted into a College of Education.
Recent HUGGS graduate, Hemalatha, has just completed her sponsorship with HUGGS. She received her engineering diploma from a polytechnic institute in June. This Fall she is attending a college of engineering on a government scholarship.
We wish both of these students success in their new colleges!
Original student graduates and four new students join HUGGS (November 2009)
Viveka, our first student whose dream to be a nurse inspired HUGGS founder Lisa Heel to establish the charity in 2003, graduated as a nurse in 2009.
New students (December 2009)
And, thanks to the generosity of HUGGS donors last year, we have increased our student numbers by accepting the four new students, photographed below, for the coming year.
In total HUGGS is now supporting 18 students.
Through donations and support for events like the Indian Dinner last fall, our donors are making dreams come true for young people in India.
Thank you for helping to change the lives of these students and giving them a more promising future.
March 2008
So
many stories to tell, each student we have visited
is unique and inspiring.
This city of several million, which is referred
to as Vizag, hosts India’s fourth largest port.
It is a city of wealth and poverty - of bullock
carts and modern cars – of manual labourers and
an HSBC call centre.
Here there are thousands of young people who face
a future of attending a third rate high school,
or just working as daily labourers.
For Venkatalaxmi, life changed when, at age 15,
she was accepted as a HUGGS student and entered
a quality high school with good academic standards.
For her, life had turned a corner, and there is
now hope for the future.
Last week, she had the opportunity to meet with
us and with other HUGGS students over a picnic at
the Kailasagiri Hill Park. As the students told
their stories, the continuing theme was: “I had
no hope when I thought of the future – and then
HUGGS came into my life. Thank you, HUGGS!”
February 24, 2008
Sai is one of our students. He lives at the top
of a hill –first many steps, then picking our way
through an area like a garbage heap, then a steep
rocky path. The little white house at the very top
of the hill is clean, with cool breezes and a great
view of Vizag.
Sai is a serious student, he studies or attends
classes from 5 am to 11 pm daily. You should see
his 'desk' and the lighting available to him; no
wonder he has headaches and needs glasses, which
is the next thing we'll be arranging for him. His
father is dead, his mother is a day labourer, his
sister attends degree college (free, but not a good
education), and this boy is in standard 11, heading
for degree college (a better education, so it costs,
that's where we come in).
We have a lot of respect for the family; they have
dignity, no self pity, just so pleased at the help
they are receiving, and willing to work very hard.
They are Hindu; the mom said, 'God sent you at just
the right time to help this family.' (Of course
in translation from our Indian staff member Bobby.)
That was only one student, but we were very glad
we had this opportunity to meet him, and his family,
and be a part of where he is going next.
Sujatha,
HUGGS first University Graduate, receives her B.A.