Joanna Schaus

Relief Amidst a Transition.

Elizabeth resides in Sevanager, a central part of Bangalore City in India. She is the mom of three young daughters: Sheela, Jayasheela, and Angel. Elizabeth’s husband, Appu, tragically passed away five years ago due to tuberculosis. Not only was his death emotionally painful, but they also lost a form of income for the family. Appu was a painter and earned daily wages, so their income wasn’t steady, but it was incredibly vital.

After his death, Elizabeth began doing domestic work in various homes to earn a living and provide for her daughters. Although Elizabeth was diligent in finding work and providing for her family, she still struggled to pay for rent and other necessities. Previously, her daughters were enrolled in a private school, but they had to shift to continuing their education in a public government school because the fees were so expensive.

This transition was incredibly difficult for the family. Imagine losing your father, having your mother trying to make ends meet, having to change schools, make new friends all over again, all while trying to grieve the immense loss. Added to this loss, Elizabeth struggled to afford items that could help with the girls’ education. Luxuries such as school backpacks were the first to go. Mrs. Mary Latha, an instructor at one of The Hope Venture’s tailoring centers, learned about Elizabeth’s struggles and her daughters’ experiences being in school without the proper supplies. She shared this with the manager of the center, Mr. Denzil Vinodh, and they were able to secure backpacks for all three daughters.

Because The Hope Venture’s staff from the tailoring center heard Elizabeth’s story, they worked to connect her to another partner of The Hope Venture who could provide backpacks… they were able to come together and provide holistic help for Elizabeth! The backpacks, though not able to change the entire financial situation for Elizabeth’s family, provided immense relief for her. It was a small step toward improving their quality of life. With the help of The Hope Venture coming alongside families like Elizabeth’s, they can find comfort in people coming alongside them, seeing their needs, and equipping them moving forward.