By Elaine Fernandes
Shrikanth Laxman is a native of Karnataka. He lived with his parents, three younger sisters and two younger brothers. Life was very difficult back in the village and Shrikanth’s parents took the six children and migrated to Goa.
Shrikanth’s father worked as a labourer, earning a daily wage while his mother worked as a house maid. In the slum, the family shared a single room, no bigger than a few square feet made of fine metal sheets. During the night it was very difficult for the family to fit in the small space and so some of the children used to go to the neighbour’s room. El Shaddai outreach workers, during a slum visit met the family and encouraged the parents to send their children to school. The outreach workers advised the parents to drop their children at Ashadeep Centre in the night (Ashadeep, at the time, was a night shelter too).
At age 10, Shrikanth along with his brother would visit Ashadeep. Soon they stayed at the centre during the day. Shrikanth was admitted in a local school by the staff at Ashadeep.
He completed his schooling and today, at 21 years of age, is in the first year, pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Arts. He has taken up a part time job which helps him support his siblings financially in their education.
– Elaine is Sponsorship Secretary at El Shaddai