Rickshaw Beneficiary Testimonies

Gurla Family

Appala Raju used to work in a fertilizer factory but was put out of a job when the firm collapsed. Despite trying his very best he had not been able to obtain stable employment for 2 years. Because he had no money and mounting debts he could not even rent a Rickshaw. Often he was forced to search in garbage bins for food and anything that he could salvage and sell. Due to their poverty the family was forced to live in a mud wall slum hut that had a leaky grass roof. They slept on the dirt floor and had scant bedding and clothing.

Their son Prasad was unable to go to school and had to work most days digging out blocked sewage drains to help his family pay their debts. He suffered from cholera but could not get proper medical treatment because they were absolutely destitute. On top of this their baby Banu Chandar almost died from dysentery.

Since receiving their sponsored Rickshaw life has dramatically improved for them all. The debt free income has enabled them to rent a good room with a large secure outdoor area. It has clean and safe drinking water. They now eat nourishing food every day and enjoy family time together. Prasad has received good medical treatment and made a complete recovery. He is attending an excellent school and wants to become a builder. He is also the captain of his school cricket team.

The Gurla family are so thankful to their sponsors for blessing them with a Rickshaw business.

Rickshaw sponsorship sets families free from poverty – permanently!

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Karri Family

Venkataramana was a third generation Rickshaw driver who rented a Rickshaw from Rickshaw landlords for 9 years. Both his poor father and grandfather rented Rickshaws for over 60 years. Because they paid almost half of their income in rental they could never make enough money to buy their own Rickshaws, or to properly take care of all their family’s needs.

The slum hut that Venkataramana and his family stayed in had an open sewer running alongside it that had a terrible stench and rampant mosquitoes. They mostly ate boiled rice and tiny fish from a polluted lake. They were all in poor health and life was a constant struggle for them. They had few clothes and little footwear. Due to the family’s poverty the children had hardly ever been to school as they worked at many odd jobs to help out.

However since receiving their sponsored Rickshaw life has improved substantially. The family now lives in a clean house with another Rickshaw recipient family. It is nearby to the school that the children are now attending. Their daughter Appalakonda is doing really well at school and is the top student in her class. She wants to become a doctor and help discover a cure for malaria. On Saturdays she enjoys playing hockey. Their son Krishna is doing well at English and science and wants to study to be a teacher.

The debt free income from the Rickshaw business has enabled this family to have enough money for good nutritional food, clothes, blankets, healthcare, education and many other good things. They now have joy, hope and a much better future and are extremely appreciative for the quality of life that they now experience.

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Badanapuri Family

To our dear sponsors Peter & Lyn

We convey our love and greetings, and thank you from the depths of our hearts for blessing us with this wonderful new Rickshaw. It so amazes us that even though you did not know us and had never met us, you still reached out your kind hand and helped us. Our God is certainly mighty that He can speak to you from another part of the world to help us.

Naomi and I were both born and raised in the same slum under a railway bridge. When we were children Naomi’s parents, and then mine, died from a disease outbreak. Along with many other orphans we tried to live by selling waste paper and plastic bags. Our income was so little that we were forced to fossick through garbage for food. Many times we went begging. Then suddenly, 4 years ago, just after getting married, we were forced out of our huts and watched as they were burnt down to make way for a road.

After a few months of living under trees we found another area to reside at and we managed to construct a shelter from branches, polythene sacks and cardboard. However it was opposite a garbage dump and many rats and poisonous snakes would enter our hut. We were fatigued and hungry, and our son Manohar became very ill but we were not able to buy medicine. Prayer Church was nearby so we began to attend. It was there that we learned about the Rickshaws For India program. We were so happy when our Minister completed the application for us to be enrolled on the waiting list for a sponsored Rickshaw.

Since receiving the Rickshaw our lives have improved greatly. I drive the Rickshaw at the railway and bus stations and in the central town areas during the day shift, and rent it out at night. I joyfully take many happy passengers from place to place and also get some courier work. Everyday I earn a good income and am able to properly meet the needs of our family. We now live in a clean and safe home with 2 other families and we felt so blessed to stay warm and dry during the recent monsoons. We are all in good health and next year Manohar will start school. We have opened a savings account and have saved some to help with this and other necessities. We are also expecting our second child. Naomi is helping an elderly widow lady who lives nearby with food and friendship.

We can never forget you and always pray for you. Thank you for your love.

God Bless You
Venkatesh, Naomi & Manohar Badanapuri

 

 

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