Abhaya Was 8 the First Time He Went to School, Only to Be Ridiculed, Reports Gospel for Asia

Can you imagine, as a parent, watching your child suffer while you stand by unable to help him? You send him off to beg on the streets in order to make money for a crucial surgery that he needs, but somehow that extra money he earns is always needed for other things. The hope for healing grows dim as years pass by.

That is the condition Sanjita and her husband Chatur where found in until they were blessed by a local teacher and Gospel for Asia Bridge of Hope Program.

Anxiety in the Delivery Room

“The size of his head is abnormally large,” the doctor explained to anxious Sanjita and Chatur shortly after their son was born. “The reason might be malnutrition during the mother’s pregnancy. We can bring it to a normal size after doing an operation. But we have to wait until he grows older.” He paused, then his voice changed to one filled with gravity, “It needs lots of money for the operation.”

The birth of Abhaya caused conflicting emotions to surface in Sanjita and Chatur’s hearts. While bearing a son brought honor and joy in their culture, their son’s condition only exasperated their already poverty-stricken lives. And every time they brought little Abhaya to the hospital, they heard the same weary words from the doctor: “It will take a lot of money.”

Once Abhaya grew old enough, Chatur and Sanjita sent him to the streets to beg, hoping they would eventually receive enough for his operation. But after one month of begging, they had to use the money they had collected to meet other expenses.

But one day all of this changed for little Abhaya when a kindhearted teacher, Rajat, found Abhaya begging on the street. With deep concern, he urged Chatur and Sanjita not to use their son as a beggar but instead, send him to school. He explained the importance of an education and what a wonderful tool it could become in Abhaya’s life.

From then on, Rajat came by each morning to see if he could take Abhaya to school with him. Seeing his determination and concern, Abhaya’s parents eventually agreed to give their son an education.

Abhaya’s (pictured) parents couldn’t afford his costly operation, so they tried earning money by sending him to beg.

Young Boy Endures Ridicule

Abhaya was 8 years old the very first time he ever set foot inside a school, only to be ridiculed. His physical condition hindered him from catching on quickly, and it prompted severe mockery from others. One day Abhaya came home and told his parents that one of his teachers called him “the big head boy.” Immediately, Chatur went to the school and talked with the principal. He wouldn’t allow a teacher to ridicule his son. The principal assured Chatur that would be the last time Abhaya was the target of any teacher’s scorn. But it didn’t stop the students.

Day after day, Abhaya endured the name calling and teasing from his peers. He had no friends, and the circumstances only made it more difficult for him to get his homework done on time.


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