Our newest and youngest family member is Santosh, a four-year-old boy who came to us after his mother died in a government hospital with no one to witness her passing but a nurse and a newly orphaned son. He is the size of a two-year-old, sickly and somewhat sad as is to be expected. But after only one week, he gained 3 pounds, recieved a full physical and on an ARV regime specifically designed for him.

Joseph and I were at the orphanage the day after Santosh arrived. No matter the number of times we have seen children who suffer from HIV/AIDS over the years it always startles me to see the skeleton through the skin, the rashes, the boils, the vacant look in their eyes as they attempt to process the horror they have witnessed on their journey to our door. But that is only the beginning of their story as they enter into a new world filled with happy children, loving house parents, a steady intake of nutritious meals and a solid education.

As we head to lunch with the kids, all lined up in rows according to height and gender with cup and plate in hand, Santosh has fallen behind, a result of shoes two sizes too big. Our resident ‘rock star’ Raj Kumar – one of our first – looks back witnessing the struggle with the shoes, turns and grabs Santosh by the hand and leads him to the lunchroom, never walking ahead but keeping pace with his new younger brother. It is in this simple act of loving-kindness where redemption is found in a world in which these children have had far too little.

We are asked often whether these children will live for a long time. Now, after more than 25 years of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, we realize this question has no meaningful answer. They live now. The rapid development of pediatric meds continues to provide AIDS orphans with a great deal of hope. Living India is committed to providing that opportunity.