THE LUCKY ONES: Children enjoying a dinner hosted by the Arkansas Governor.

HYDERABAD: It is an invitation the children would not have even dreamt of -- dinner with the Governor of Arkansas State and stay in the US for about two months.

The nine children from the orphanage -- Dr.Paul's Charity City -- at Sadashivapet in Medak district, run by Gospel to the Unreached Millions left for the US on the invitation of Arkansas State Governor, Mike Huckabee, on July 6.

The unexpected invitation came their way when the children presented a cultural programme reflecting Indian traditions when Mr. Mike Huckabee visited the orphanage in March 2003.

An impressed Arkansas Governor announced that if elected again, he would host dinner to the nine talented children and their caretakers at State Home, Arkansas. Mr. Huckabee was elected for a second term in 2004 and he kept his word. His invitation ensured that children secured their visas, said GUM National Director, D.David Raju, who accompanied them. The children, all in sixth standard, may get an audience with US President too before their return after visiting different places and presenting cultural programmes. A caretaker, Lakshmi, who could get visa only on Thursday would leave for US to stay with the children for the rest of their stay.

The orphanage, set up on a 1,000-acre site, being developed phase-wise is funded by the Global Peace Initiative (GPI) and headed by the well-known evangelist, K. A. Paul. At present 1,000 children live in the orphanage and study in the high school in the same complex which offered both English and Telugu media. The children were also trained in extra-curricular activities and doctors, teachers and coaches from the US visit their orphanage to train children, Dr. David Raju said.

A 10-member team of MPs, including two from the State, also accompanied the team on a 10-day tour. The MPs from different political parties visited Syria and Libya along with Dr.Paul before reaching the US, he said.

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