In Jharkhand's Hazaribagh district, the noble task of sheltering and nurturing HIV-infected children is underway.
The Holy Cross Society, led by Sister Britto, has taken up the mission of supporting children suffering from AIDS.
With the help of Jharkhand Education Project (JEP), the organization have started a school called Gyandeep Aavasiye Vidyalaya.
Currently home to 49 students, the school hopes to cover the rest of the children from the nearby districts soon.
"This school aims to remove the common myths about HIV, that it is spread through touch or by eating together, studying together, which people in the village here strongly believe," said Mohan Mistry, the coordinator of the school.
The children in the institute are treated normally and are also provided medical aid for their illness, apart from the regular facilities like food and boarding.
"Here, mainly AIDS-infected children study along with the orphans and destitute of the city. They are given food, shelter and imparted education here. Food is given major emphasis as most of the kids remain unwell," said Nirmala Kullu, a teacher.
It has been reported that people of low income group from various districts of Jharkhand, including Hazaribagh, Chatra, Giridha and Koderma go for jobs in metropolitan cities due to lack of opportunities and facilities in the state.
These migrant workers are often uneducated about sexually-transmitted diseases, making them extremely susceptible to viruses like HIV.
Many children are thus born already infected with HIV and quickly get orphaned, and are even treated as untouchables by village society.
Gyandeep Aavaasiye Vidyalaya has thus become a ray of hope for these discarded children.
Source-ANI
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