CHILD to the Rescue of the Underprivileged

The downpour induced by the Jal Cyclone that hit the coast last year drenched the entire city of Visakhapatnam. Amidst the incessant rain, and the eerie look that the whole city posed with not a soul on the streets, there came a phone call to CHILD (Come Help the Ill-Fated Life of Destitutes), from a stranger, requesting it to save the lives of two babies who have been abandoned at Daba Gardens. Soon, a woman attendant of CHILD called 'Amma' K Rajamukhi, and informed her of the telephone call.

Rajamukhi, and her husband K Prasad, raced to the place and rescued the two-month-old female twins and took them into CHILD. A year later, the twins Veena and Vani, are now living happily under a secure shelter along with 26 other children aged between three and 16 years.

CHILD was established in 1995 by 19-year-old Rajamukhi to save orphan children. Though friends and other well-wishers advised her against the initiative because of its demands for constant attention, not to mention the emotional problems it poses, Rajamukhi marched ahead to open a home for poor orphans. Her strong desire, after 13 years of restless and painful service, bore fruit and CHILD presently houses 28 children, in a fully furnished home with excellent accommodation, hygienic food and good education at a private school, just like a home.

Two Ninth Class students, who have been taken into CHILD since 1998 - Sravani and Anusha - are now leading a happy life, though they do not know who or where their biological parents are.

"We do not know when we stepped into the home. We never cried for milk or food ever. Amma has provided us with everything. There are 24 other children like us and we're all studying in the same school and Amma pays our school fee. Though we have lost our parents, God has given us this Amma," Sravani and Anusha tell City Express, fighting back tears.

CHILD was started in a small rented building in Balajinagar, Siripuram. It all started with two orphans who have been abandoned at the railway station. "When we saw those two orphans, we immediately took them in. Later on, I decided to start a shelter for orphans," explains `Amma' Rajamukhi.

"Though we are blessed with three children, Rajamukhi loves children and treats them like her own. That's when I encouraged her to start an organization, though we are from a middle class family," Rajamukhi's husband Prasad says, with a sense of well-deserved pride in his voice.

Rajamukhi, after establishing CHILD, never looked back despite being riddled with several financial and social problems. Though there is no monetary support from the Government, Rajamukhi continued her services, raising funds from like-minded people in the city.

After noticing CHILD's services, noted personalities including former chief minister N Janardhan Reddy's son N Ram Kumar, present minister for infrastructure and investments Ganta Srinivasa Rao's wife Sarada, noted IVF specialist doctor Rama Raju, Janani Constructions MD Prasad Chowdary, Lampak Paper Products Industry, Upadhyayula Krishna, L and T DGM MSMK Sharma, Jain Heritage School principal M Sarada and a retired railway employee Md Ismail (core committee members) extended their support to the CHILD.

"There are several like-minded people joining hands in the mission. I'm leading CHILD as the CEO, but there are several others behind the organisation," Rajamukhi said.

Padmasri Muniratnam Naidu of Chittoor donated about an acre of land near Paradesipalem, Madhurawada. After receiving the land, Rajamukhi, along with her core committee members, constructed a spacious building with good facilities. A navy official, who visited CHILD, donated air-coolers to each room.

"Amma eats the same food that is served to us. A large number of children celebrate their birthday functions with us and we are proud of that. A municipal commissioner celebrated his son's birthday with us," Sravani and Anusha said.

The children may have had a rough start in life, but thanks to CHILD, they are all now one big happy family.

I'm a happy mom of 28 kids: Rajamukhi

"I never ask for money or funds. CHILD is is not supported by the government like many people seem to think. The people are contributing rice, essential commodities, books, clothes and several other items for children. I am happy that I'm a mother of 28 children. I help children based on media reports. I thank the media for giving an opportunity to serve the needy children. There is no specific reason behind the service. It is just that I love children a lot," Rajamukhi said. Interestingly, Rajamukhi's three children spend their weekends at the home. All children address one another as Anna (Brother) and Akka (Sister).

wwwchildhelpindia.org, mail: childvizag@vizag.com,
phone: 0891-2501072, mobile: 9848135667 ,11