Udaya Nakshatra (Morning Star) Home for Boys was founded in 2003 for five needy fellows. Now there are 40 boys, ages 8-18. Most of the boys are either orphans, semi-orphans or from very poor families. As the “Morning Star” announces the coming of the rising sun, so our home offers the boys hope for a bright future. We try to provide a home atmosphere and treat the boys as if they were our own sons.
The home has been carved out of a forest area on land donated by Bishop William D’Mello. It is situated in southwest India about 350 miles from Mumbai near the town of Sirsi in the State of Karnataka. We are 2000 ft. above sea level here in the coastal range (Ghats) that rises above and along the Arabian Sea. The monsoon rains soak the forests and rice paddies from June to October and ensure an annual yield of crops.
We occupy four acres which include a soccer/cricket ground, volleyball and basketball courts, a 3-tiered vegetable garden, fish pond, chicken coop and hundreds of trees (coconuts, cashews, areka nut, mangoes, jack fruit, guava, chikus, bananas, papaya and more). The boys help out by working in the garden when they return home from school which is a mile and a half walk away. After a little work they have games, followed by bath, study, rosary, supper, bedtime. In the morning there is daily Mass.
When each boy completes his secondary education he enters, according to his aptitudes, either university or a technical training course such as learning how to be an electrician, etc. Some of the boys have already graduated from university. One is doing his master’s degree in mathematics and hopes to teach in college. Another two are working in banks, and presently there are two fellows preparing to enter the seminary. Some of those who have moved on come back to visit. They offer encouragement and are good role models, especially to boys who may have arrived from villages where alcoholism, promiscuity, violence, and suicide are common. The boys are being formed to rise above such ills and to have the strength and wisdom to thrive in their precious lives.
Donations from generous sponsors make this home possible. Please consider supporting us with a donation of any amount.
