Case Studies
CASE HISTORY – 1
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Family Details
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Background
Gajendran 
was a construction labourer in Vardhapalayam Mandal in Chittoor district. He was a drunkard and spent his earnings on alcohol and there was much trouble in the house due to this and his wife Lakshmi used to quarrel with him over money to maintain and run the house. They had one daughter Kumari. His wife took up coolie work as there was no money and struggled hard in life. Her husband used to come home once in a while as he also used to go for work outstations. Since he had a wayward life he probably had sexual relationships with the fellow women workers or others . When at home he probably demanded and had sex with his wife. His wife Lakshmii began to fall ill quite often and He also developed illness. Once they both quarreled much and left their daughter at the grandmother’s house and went away. Later the grandmother received the news that both of them died one after the other due to HIV/AIDS. This was a shock to her as she hoped that they would return to take care of the child. She being an older woman in 50s didn’t know what to do as her life subsisted on support from others as she did not have any house on her own or any other means to support her. She lived in a small tent like structure that she has put up and brought up little kumari
Intervention of ATSWA
A chance visit by the ATSWA – KNH Home animator Latha to their village proved to be the turning point in the life of Kumari. The animator was told of the story of Kumari and she visited them to hear the version from the Grand mother. Seeing the pathetic condition of Kumari she suggested that kumara be brought to KNH Home for admission so she could have a better life where she could have good food and study in school with all facilities. This was a news that her grand mother Venkatamma did not expect. She was very happy and relieved and immediately she acted as per the advice of Animator latha and took her to ATSWA KNH Home at Madanambedu to be admitted. And She was accepted and was admitted in 4th standard when she was about 10 years.
Status after Intervention
Immediate – Resources Used
The sudden change from poverty to plenty was beyond the dreams of Kumari as she could have not just food once but three times and even more it was very good by any standards. She got new friends and plenty of play area to play. Her sorrow turned into joy and she became a chirpy child talking and running about. The new school also brought joy and friends and her grand mother was able to visit her and see the change in her. The Home administration on learning about the grand mother’s condition included her in the list of people to receive“ monthly food provisions“ so she could have food without having to beg. They also brought her under the “Income Generation Programme” and gave her money to buy two goats so she could have an occupation, keep herself occupied and feel worthy
Present
Today Kumari is a grown up girl studying in 9th Standard and doing well. She gets good dresses,school unifroms all the school needs such as school bag and other things. She also gets Christmas gift during Christmas celebration when she has a great time with all her fellow home children and parents and guardians of other children Two goats that were given to her grandmother under Income Generation programme grew to 18 and she sold some goats and with that money she has made a small house for herself a change she could not have even dreamed earlier. She is very happy about the transformation that KNH – ATSWA home has done for her grandchild and to her. Truly this is a wonderful story of transformation. Kumari hopes to study further and take up a good position in life . Both Kumari and her grandmother are grateful to KNH-ATSWA Rehabilitiation home for children at risk and to the animator Latha who brought the intervention in their lives.
CASE HISTORY – 2
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Family Details
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Background
Muthyalamma belongs to a Gypsy family that makes beads and sells. They are also into begging part-time. They were around the railway station selling beads , bangles artificial chain and earrings and also into begging. Little Muthyalamma would stray away from her small tent on the sidewalk near the station into the railway station and beg in the platforms as her parents would never bother about her. She would lie down in the platform sleep, eat and sometimes she would return to her parents tent in a day. This was her routine. She was a weak child and often would get fever and fall sick. Troubled by the sickness of their daughter the parents took her to the Government Hospital at Thirupathi to be examined and treated. During examination it was found that Muthyalamma had HIV. Shocked by the finding the hospital requested the entire family to undergo blood test and it was found that all of them were HIV positive. The returned to their place of living – the platform with medicines. Poverty and hunger prevented Muthyalamm from going to school as thre was no proper food or dress for her to go to school and she continued to beg in the railway station.
Intervention of ATSWA
The kindness of some of the staff brought some good changes to her life. As she declared that she has no one to care, which was very obvious the staff admitted her in Madrassa Children’s home at Thirupathi. Even there she used to fall ill and the home staff became alarmed when they found out that she was HIV positive. She was referred to the Child Welfare committee which immediately referred them to the KNH – ATSWA Rehabilitation centre for Children at Risk at Madanambedu as it is the only residential care home for HIV infected Girl. She was admitted in the home and all the tests required were run for her.
Status after Intervention
She was put on special diet and on ARV drugs. She started recovering her health and once stabilized she was admitted in the school nearby. She is now in the first standard and will go into second standard in the coming academic year 2017 – 2018. She is very happy and cheerful now and plays with her new friends and enjoys her food at home. She loves going to school as it brings cheer to her. She is thankful to KNH and ATSWA for the new hope that has been brought into her life.
CASE HISTORY – 3
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Family Details
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Background
Sai Prakash’s father is a lorry driver and used to travel much on road and used to be away from home for days. He married Mangamma first but since he did not get any children out of her he married her sister who is 8 years younger to her. And had two sons Sai prakash and sanker. Some time later he used to fall sick often and when he was taken to hospital for testing it was found that he had HIV. The hospital took a testing of all the family members and all of them tested positive. This came as a shock to everyone. It was found that seenivasulu got HIV infection from some of his sexual acts while on highway with commercial sex workers. AS he became weak he could not go for work and as a result the family suffered. The children could not go to school for want to dress and school materials and proper food and they did not reveal anything to any of their neighbours.
Intervention of ATSWA
Resources used
A chance visit by the ATSWA – KNH Home animator Latha to their village proved to be the turning point in the life of the children. Someone shared the actual story of the family. When the animator enquired with them they declined in the first time but came forward and revealed their story and requested help. Seeing their pathetic condition Animator Latha assured them of help and said that she would contact her superiors and get back to them. Animator Latha talked with her superiors and shared with them the pathetic story of Sai Prakash and Sankar’s family and requested help. Since they were really deserving both the children were brought under Nonresidential support from KNH- ATSWA Rehabilitation Centre for Children at Risk and extended immediate support to both the children for ARV care, travel to Hospital, education support etc.. They were also extended support for all the school utilities such as schoolbags and other supplies. They were also extended support for supplementary nutrition. This helped both the boys resume school education. In he year 2013 Sai Prakash was provided skill training in Haircutting in Vardhapalayam under vocational training programme for the HIV+ boys
Status after Intervention
The boys are happy that they are able to resume their studies and are able to live as they take ARV treatment regularly and food supplements. Now their mother Kumari works in a hotel but she is not able to go on a regular basis. and Sai Prakash is able to work in a haircutting shop in the morning before going to school and after coming back from school He is able to bring home an income of Rs 200 on a daily basis and that helps the family much. Their father Seenivasulu succumbed to HIV but they are able to carry on without much difficulty due to the support of KNH- ATSWA Home and its non-residential support for them. The boys attend the get-togethers’ at the home and are taken for annual excursion along with the home children of ATSWA. They are very happy and no one can say that they are HIV positive boys. They are very grateful to KNH-ATSWA Rehabilitation home for their continued intervention and support.