A man from Chennai made an empowering decision of his life by adopting 45 HIV positive children who were abandoned by their families. The children have now found a home in Shelter Trust run by Solomon Raj who is now popularly referred to as ‘Appa’ (Father) by them.
The adopted children are equipped with education, medical care, training in crafts, arts, dance and other skills. They are given the choice to pursue their field of interest.
As per a report by a news agency, several of them have been enrolled in class 11 and class 12. Seven of them are even pursuing their graduation in various streams.
Raj said he was inspired to take the initiative when even after eight years into his marriage, he had no child. However, now he had been blessed with a biological child. Raj said his guilt of not helping a child in need prompted him to adopt first HIV positive child and it continued.
As reported by a news agency, though the expenses of the children’s health and education become a problem at times, Raj said, “Now I am a father to 45 HIV positive children and it gives me great satisfaction when they call me ‘Appa’”
An HIV positive girl who is in class XI said that she wants to become a doctor and help others. She also said that HIV positive children are in no way less than normal children.
