Praveen is a young man who lived at St. Devi’s Academy from a very early age. He was a serious child, responsible and reticent. I did not see him smile for many years after I first met him. Praveen did not join the St. Devi’s family because he was an orphan or street child. Instead, his father was an alcoholic who after many years of abuse, poured kerosene on his wife and lit her on fire! Both Praveen and his mother moved to St. Devi’s Academy. Praveen not only excelled in school but he thrived. Though quiet by nature, he is a natural leader. He helped the younger children in their studies and as he grew, Devi, the principal & founder of S.D.A., began relying on him to assist her with various tasks.
Praveen’s mother, Ambika, became Devi’s ‘right hand’. Her health has never been the same since the night of the fire, but even so, Ambika is a hard worker and godsend. The children know Ambika loves them. They go to her with their problems or to be comforted. When she hears of a child in trouble, she investigates. If a child is in dire straits, Ambika has been instrumental in bringing that child to St. Devi’s.
A couple of years ago, Praveen graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Columbia College in Denver, Colorado. Always striving to do better, he has just graduated with an MBA from the same school and he married his long-time girlfriend Aakriti, a Nepali teacher from St. Devi’s Academy. Two monumental milestones just weeks apart! At TWAM, we are very proud of Praveen!! His story reinforces to us that the work we are doing is valuable. It is possible to change the life of a child and praise God we were there to help!
