Prominent diabetologist Dr Raja Venkatesh and his wife, Dr Indhra are superheroes who do not require a mask to hide their identities or capes to help them navigate their way.

They founded the Vidyashram foundation 13 years ago for the orphaned and neglected HIV children, and in the process bringing smiles on their faces.

It is now a place of healing and hope for those children who have suffered abuse, neglect and maltreatment.

Vidyashram Foundation is managed by Human Uplift Trust (HUT)- a 33-year-old non-profit.

“It was tough to cope without food, especially during the rains and summer. Being on the street without a single blanket was a terrible way to live. I lost my father and my mother to a terrible disease,” reported Milaap.org quoting 7-year-old Mohan.

Mohan is one of the 115 children adopted by Dr Raja Venkatesh in his orphanage Vidyashram House of Hope, which is situated at Perambalur in Tamil Nadu.

Mohan was diagnosed to be HIV positive when he was born. He lost his mother and father to HIV.

His experience of loss and neglect during his childhood has resulted in him becoming extremely sensitive, insecure and afraid.

Dr Raja Venkatesh, sharing his views with Milaap.org said, "I believe that every child, where ever born, where ever lives, should have the opportunity to grow in a safe and nurturing environment, have access to a good education to become a productive citizen of the country.”

“I was born and brought up in a small village. The village had no transport till I reached class five," he further adds on.

"As a small boy, I made up my mind to find my way to becoming a doctor. I worked sincerely hard until I became the topper in my school and went on to the top Medical University as one of the district toppers," he said.

"So I strongly believe education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change your life and the world. A good education will create great opportunities for you” he added.

It was in 2007 when there came a drastic change in the life of Dr Raja Venkatesh when he adopted two HIV children of a patient who died in his hospital.

It was then that he founded the Vidyashram House of Hope- a safe haven for the HIV-infected and orphaned children.

In the same year, he, along with a team of like-minded committed volunteers, identified nearly 39 similar children.

In 2020, there are 115 such children who are now in his care. For the past ten years, Dr Raja’s mission has been to provide these AIDS-infected/orphaned homeless children with safety, love, reassurance, a good educational opportunity and a hug when needed.

His main objective is to rescue and provide shelter to the homeless HIV orphaned children who have been ostracized by their own relatives and live on the streets.

The husband-wife duo donates half their clinic income to these children. Local communities also help by contributing food to the children.

The shelter provides these homeless children with all their basic requirements like beds, blankets, daily nutritional meals, and snacks; served piping hot with a smile, clean clothing, education with informal schooling in the campus, medical checkups, psychological support, bereavement counselling, and large doses of individual attention; to make each child feel special, to keep up their health.

Eight teachers and 8 residential staff take care of the children 24x7 all 365 days.

Even though the orphanage has been running smoothly all these years, the COVID-19 pandemic, however, has been a disaster.

“While everyone is out of a job, especially the rural community, now these children need to be fed a good healthy meal, treated with medicines, need to have books to read and all the teachers and staff to be paid. We need help to feed and educate these children," says Dr Raja, who is struggling with the lack of funds to meet all these expenses.

"We need to build a good school for them as well," he added.

If you wish to donate and help these children and Dr Raja Venkatesh and his team, then click on the link and follow the procedure to make your humble donation.