More Introductions

Sharon
This 7 year old boy is sponsored by my brother. He came to FFC through Cradle Babies having been abandoned when he was 4 months old. He has TSC (Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, a rare multi-system genetic disease that causes tumors to grow in the brain and on other vital organs) as well as a congenital heart disease. Despite all of this, he is an outgoing boy who is friendly and happy - he likes lots of attention. He has been begging for a watch lately so you can imagine his pleasure when he opened his sponsor gifts and there was a brand new watch. Everyday since, when ever he sees me, he calls out "Auntie!" and points to his wrist watch and grins.

Gopi
Sponsored by my former employer, Gopi came to FFC when he was 8 years old. He was from Calcutta and spoke only Hindi. He was found wandering around the train station and was picked up by Child Line. He is 16 now and is a very nice, well mannered boy. He had polio as a baby and so had some developmental problems with his legs but he gets around fine. I was really pleased to watch him during the Republic Day celebrations when he did a karate demonstration and broke 4 boards with a single karate chop!

Helen and Susan - sponsored by Cathy, Greg, and Erika
I am putting these two into the same paragraph as they came to us at the same time.

Helen is 5 years old and very sweet. She smiles shyly at me whenever I see her. She lives in the toddler room but goes to grade 1 at the school.

Susan is almost 6 and can only be described as having no fear. She is often seen causing a bit of trouble in the school room and is often reminded to stop talking and to get to work.

Their history is a bit sketchy - I am told that they were being cared for by an old woman who was not related to them but who had hoped to start her own child minding business. She struggled however, and ended up living on the street with the 2 girls who were just 1 and 2 years old at the time. The old woman ended up giving the girls to Child Line and they were brought to us.

I think that's it for now. If there is someone I've forgotten, please let me know.