Some 30 years ago, a young Priest in the Diocese of Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, Southeast India received a bowl of onions from a young parishioner, thus planting a “mustard seed” for what is now an operational home for children orphaned by the HIV/AIDS virus. But allow me to tell the tale from my first involvement in this project… Several years later, circa 2010, that same young Priest arrived in Concho, AZ on a Missionary assignment and was instantly recognized by the parishioners as someone quite special. And while he only stayed a year, he left a big impression on many.
Fast forward to January 2014 and a request from Father for a 10 day sponsorship to revisit old acquaintances was happily accepted by yours truly. Shortly thereafter, following many miles and visits, on return to Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, I was asked for some assistance with a project in India that had been germinating over these past many years. And so a, project of unknown time and money began! On December 24, 2014, after assembling a Board of Directors, obtaining necessary legal consultations and the creation of a 501(c)(3) foundation, the “House of Onions” was first introduced to friends and families via phone calls, emails and even our own website.
All that remained to take place was the solicitation of enough funds to construct a home for roughly 30 orphans, hire enough staff to feed, cloth, and shelter these children and provide proper medical care and education for all. I am proud to say that all of this has been accomplished! On August 22nd, 2019, one of our Board Members, David Knox, and I attended the “Grand Opening” along with some 600 plus attendees for a beautiful 3 hour Mass and speeches from The Most Reverend Ch. Bhagyaiah, Bishop of Guntur, Mayor Ambati Rambabu,member of the legislative assembly (MLA) of Sattenapalli town constituency, and an inspirational speech by our own Father YL Marreddy. Additionally, there were 55 Priests and some 60 Nuns among the many local community members also in attendance.
As this happens to be in the monsoon season period, necessary preparations to include large circus type tents were set up to shelter guests from anticipated downfalls, however, the rains arrived about an hour AFTER all the celebrants had safely started home. Talk about faith! Of all the excitement of the week spent visiting with dignitaries, school superintendents, Diocesan Priests and the Newly formed Board of Directors in India, nothing came close to the rush of emotional feelings that both David and I experienced the first moment we arrived at the home and saw a group of young boys playing soccer and in great spirits.
You see, it had been just over a month since their arrival at the House of Onions. Each came from extreme poverty, living with a grandparent, a distant relative or perhaps a neighbor of their late parents. And here they were, in this shot time, enjoying new “brothers”, having a beautiful home to live, three wholesome meals every day, bathrooms and so much more than ever before! It was perhaps at that moment, I truly understood that the DREAM of that young Priest had, in fact, come true and I had been given the opportunity to play a small role in a magnificent play! For this this, I believe each of our Board Members and every Donor who played even a small part will be forever thankful for the opportunity.
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."