An angel who never forgot

Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) is a source of great pride for our town — not only for imparting excellent education, but also for molding young people into value-oriented citizens who can make a difference in our country.

Around 2010, Anand (name changed) was an engineering student at VIT. Along with a few of his fellow students, he volunteered at Hope House, teaching various subjects to our girls.

Many students move on after graduation, and understandably, life takes them in different directions. But Anand was different. He stayed in touch with us. From time to time, he would call—not to ask for anything, but simply to find out how we and the children were doing.

Then, one day, quite unexpectedly, Anand called and asked us about our needs. He wanted to know what he could sponsor and even shared the budget he had set aside for it.

We told him about our decade-old auto-rickshaw, which had begun breaking down frequently and was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. We wondered if he might consider helping us replace it.

Anand did not simply take our word for it. He did his own research. He explored the possibility of sponsoring an electric auto and, after discussing the options with us, we eventually decided on a hybrid auto that would be more economical and better suited to the needs of our children.

When Anand agreed, we sent him the dealer's quotation.

What happened next left us deeply moved.

He did not send us just the amount quoted by the dealer. He sent the entire amount in a single cheque, along with an additional amount to take care of any modifications that might be needed.

Today, because of Anand's generosity, we have a new hybrid auto that is serving our children—helping them travel safely for their education, medical care, appointments and other essential needs.

But for us, this is about much more than an auto.

It is about a young student who came to Hope House more than a decade ago to teach our children—and never really stopped caring about them.

We often pray for the needs of our children and wait patiently for the Almighty to answer. And sometimes, the answer comes through people who become His hands and feet in our lives.

We truly believe that Anand is one such angel — someone whom God sent into the lives of these vulnerable children, first as a volunteer and, years later, as a generous supporter.

Thank you, Anand, for remembering our children even after all these years. Thank you for coming forward when there was a need. And most of all, thank you for showing us that genuine kindness has no expiry date.

May God richly bless you and your family and may the auto you have gifted continue to carry our children towards a safer, brighter and more hopeful future.