A 14-year-old Teja (name changed) has suffered an extreme emotional neglect ever since he lost his parents at a tender age. His nagging granny drove him crazy with loads of household chores and less food which made him flee the otherwise picturesque Araku Valley, his native place, and find comfort at the corners of the Visakhapatnam streets.
Three years later, relief came in the form of an extended family at the Government Children Home for Boys, Deenadayalapuram, Chinagadili. “The home became my permanent shelter when a police officer came to my rescue when I fell unconscious due to hunger,” recalls Teja who is getting trained in repair works of electrical devices at MVP Colony.
On the eve of Children’s Day celebrations, those staying at the home share how their dark past never came their way to learn new skills. Interestingly, many of them aspire to become hair stylists, tailors, chefs and entrepreneurs.
After getting separated from his parents who used to engage themselves in frequent quarrels, Dinakar (name changed) from Hanumantawaka says that he now leads a better life. “Since my mother works in a private hospital, I continued to stay in the institution. When I visit home during weekends, I prepare rice and potato curry for my mother as I am fond of cooking. Recently, I also learnt to dish out chicken gravy and a range of pickles,” says Dinakar, who aspires to become a chef.
Signs of improvement
Superintendent of Government Children Home for Boys K. Veeraiah says that those staying at the home show keen interest in learning new skills. “While some are interested in going to school, a few wanted to get trained in vocational courses which will be facilitated at the institution itself. Most of them arrive here because of negligence, poverty and broken families and show signs of improvement after counselling and training in soft skills,” he says.
Currently, the total strength of the home is 112. Of which, 14 boys are appearing for Class X examinations next academic year.