Editor’s Note: Udai Valluri is one of ICC’s grown children from the Sweet Home Children’s Village in India. He is talented and caring. And though he could be making a much higher wage working elsewhere, Udai is serving as a key administrator and mentor to the children at Sweet Home. The following is an edited excerpt from a testimony that Udai wrote. May you enjoy it and realize the important role you have in transforming the lives of orphan and vulnerable children.
I was 7 years old when I was brought to the DEWS Sweet Home campus on May 1, 2002. When I arrived, they showed me the Sweet Home campus and took me to the Flaiz Adventist School auditorium where other Sweet Home children were drawing pictures and singing songs. I was frightened to see a big group together. When I was placed in 2nd grade at school, I was a little nervous. Somehow, I managed to adjust to the atmosphere in the Sweet Home campus since we all lived together like a family.
Sweet Home was a blessed place with lovely children and staff. We never felt like orphans. The campus was like the Garden of Eden with all kinds of fruit and big trees. We played together, we ate together, and we stayed together.
Years passed. I enjoyed participating in sports. I enjoyed playing with the rest of my brothers and sisters on campus. I also enjoyed church activities. I participated in Sabbath school programs, Adventist youth programs, and vespers, too. We would learn Bible chapters in our morning worships in Sweet Home. I was able to recite many chapters and verses from the Bible.
In evening worships Mrs. Lilly Kaligithi, Sweet Home founder, used to share stories. Every Thursday, each of our homes would recite what we learned during that week from the Bible. I enjoyed spiritual activities.
In 2010 while I was busy preparing for 10th level government exams, I was called to the office. Waiting for me was a cousin who was studying at Flaiz College. I was told that I needed to go with him to my native village. On the way, tears welled up in my eyes as I imagined what must have happened. Sadly, when I reached home, I saw my father’s body that was prepared for burial. I had no words and I started crying along with my whole family.
My father had been paralyzed and bedridden from my childhood. I had never seen him walking on his own. My mother struggled to support three of us children. She had to take care of us and her husband and at the same time, bring in food for the family. She was uneducated and could only work in the field, and those jobs were seasonal. We did not have enough food, and our home was built with coconut palm leaves.
When I came back to Sweet Home after my father’s funeral service all my brothers, sisters, and staff comforted me. I was able to do well and passed the 10th level government exams by the grace of God.
I graduated from 12th grade in 2013 and completed my degree in computers at Flaiz College in 2016. It was then that I came back to Sweet Home and started to work as an accountant, assistant, supervisor, and driver, too. In 2017, I became the Sweet Home business manager. And when Suzanne, Sweet Home director, became ill, I stepped in to be the co-director when she needed assistance.
In 2018, I married Kalyani at the Sweet Home campus. In 2021, Kalyani completed a degree in nursing. We enjoy the many celebrations on the campus. It’s a time for us to get together and share our happiness with the Sweet Home family.
I am blessed to be at Sweet Home. I can never imagine my life without being here. As God promised in Jeremiah 29:11 “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Sweet home is a blessed place, and the Lord has been protecting us with His angels.
During the COVID pandemic, we experienced a huge loss in the world. Many people died around us, but the Lord blessed us and kept us safe under his wings. His promises are everlasting. I have many experiences in life where God has saved me.
I am always grateful for International Children’s Care that has brought many souls to the Lord and provided food, clothing, and shelter for many unfortunate children like me. I’m grateful for sponsors who sacrificed their meals to provide for us. I am blessed to share my story, and I can never repay ICC. I will work here at Sweet Home as long as God leads me and ICC.
I would like to thank all the sponsors and donors who helped to build many souls for Christ’s Kingdom.
I have never imagined that my life would be like this, and what I am today is all because of God’s blessing and International Children’s Care and Sweet Home. I would like to thank all the sponsors and donors who helped to build many souls for Christ’s Kingdom. Blessings to all.
