Faith Fuels Futures

IN THE remote tribal village of Nallarayaguda, located in the hilly north-eastern corner of Andhra Pradesh, India, the Sacred Heart Boarding Home has long served as a refuge for some of the region’s most vulnerable children. Here, around 120 boys and girls – most from impoverished tribal families scattered across 20 nearby villages – receive both shelter and the rare opportunity to pursue an education. But by 2022, the boarding home’s physical condition had sharply deteriorated. “The building was very pathetic,” said Fr. B. Sateesh Kumar, project coordinator appointed by the Diocese of Srikakulam. “It had been nearly 25 years since any painting or major repairs were done.”

The urgent need for renovation, particularly for proper sanitation and structural repairs, led to a formal request for support from St. Anthony’s Charities. The proposal, endorsed by the Bishop of Srikakulam, Rayarala Vijaya Kumar, aimed not only to repair an old building, but to restore safety, hygiene and dignity to a generation of children striving to escape a cycle of poverty through education.

Deprived area

Andhra Pradesh’s tribal communities often live in deeply rural and underserved areas, like those around Nallarayaguda, where infrastructure is minimal and educational opportunities are rare. Many families depend on subsistence farming practices such as podu cultivation – a traditional slash-and-burn method performed on hill slopes. With little income security and limited access to public services, sending children to school is often a distant dream.

The Diocese of Srikakulam, under the leadership of Bishop Kumar, has been addressing this need through a network of boarding homes. The Sacred Heart Boarding Home is one such facility, currently overseen by the Little Sisters of Jesus Christ – a religious congregation founded in 1956 and dedicated to serving the poor, particularly in rural and marginalized areas. The Sisters have been active in the region for several years, providing consistent care and supervision to the children at the boarding home. Though modest in resources, the diocese has worked to support tribal children with holistic educational and personal development.

The project in Nallarayaguda focused on the complete renovation of the Sacred Heart Boarding Home. Originally constructed two decades ago, the building had severely decayed: its toilets were unusable, wooden fittings damaged by termites, and the plumbing and electrical systems outdated and unsafe. The initial budget for the project totaled €41,350. Of this, €7,350 was contributed by the Diocese, and the remaining €34,000 was requested from St. Anthony’s Charities.

Approved in September 2023, the proposal aimed to reconstruct the sanitation facilities entirely and carry out essential repairs throughout the building, including to the kitchen, flooring, ceilings, drainage, electrical wiring, and carpentry.

Three phases

The renovation was divided into three main phases, funded by three installments from our Saint’s charitable organization.

In the first phase, which began in July 2024, urgent structural and safety issues were addressed. Woodwork repairs were prioritized due to widespread termite damage. Doors and windows were replaced or fixed, helping to protect children from snakes and insects previously entering through broken openings. Electrical rewiring and plumbing repairs were initiated, and cement work was carried out to restore stability to the walls.

“Now the woodwork condition for the building is very good. No possibility for the insects or poisonous creatures to come inside,” said Fr. Sateesh.

In the second phase, beginning in late July 2024, the focus shifted to painting, tiling, and comprehensive electrical upgrades. The team scraped away years of grime and plant overgrowth before applying several coats of paint to both interior and exterior walls. They also repaired iron grills and welded door frames, improving ventilation and security.

“The children are very comfortable in their study halls or dormitories. It’s very conducive for them to stay and study,” the project team reported.

The final phase, completed in December 2024, saw the construction of a new kitchen shed with an iron-sheet roof, proper ventilation, and adequate cooking facilities. Drainage systems were finalized, and any remaining flooring and paint work was completed. The project closed with the full renovation of the premises, ensuring safety, hygiene and comfort for both children and caretakers.

Wholehearted gratitude

The newly restored Sacred Heart Boarding Home now houses 120 tribal children, offering them not only safety, but the dignity of a clean and cared-for environment. According to Fr. Sateesh, the transformation has changed the way the children see themselves: “Now it is like the new construction and the children feel very much comfortable to stay. Everything is maintained properly with all the hygiene precautions and the children are taught the etiquettes.”

The beneficiaries also expressed their deep gratitude. Biddika Suguna, a girl from the tribal village of Sannaiguda, comes from a family that depends on seasonal podu cultivation on the hills for survival. With little income and no stable market prices for their crops, her parents often struggle to make ends meet, and sometimes rely on their children for help in the fields. “The boarding homes run by the Diocese of Srikakulam are really very useful and life-giving to children like me,” she says. “I wholeheartedly thank the Director, staff, donors and others who exhibited the teaching of Christ ‘Love your Neighbor’ with their generosity.”

Another resident, Arika Rahul – a young boy from a poor tribal family that struggles daily to afford basic necessities – added, “My desire is to study well and make my parents forget their struggles. It is possible for me now through my boarding home.”

“On behalf of all the children and staff, I sincerely thank St. Anthony’s Charities and the readers of the Messenger of Saint Anthony who supported this renovation,” says Fr. Sateesh. “You have brought new life to our boarding home. By the grace of God and with your kind heart through economic support the work is completed.”