The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Life begins afresh for this 11-year-old

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 28, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Life begins afresh for this 11-year-old

Special Correspondent

Defect in his heart valve corrected, courtesy Bosco

RENEWED HOPE: Muniraj had a congenital defect in his heart valve

Bangalore: Eleven-year old Muniraj knew he may die soon; he was most worried about his widowed mother and younger brother being left alone to fend for themselves.

Thanks to BOSCO (Bangalore Oniyavara Seva Coota) the helpline that helps street children, Muniraj has undergone surgery at Manipal Hospital to correct a congenital defect in the heart valve. He will live and hopefully, be able to support his family as he grows up.

The boy is from Hosur across the border and lost his father to AIDS two years ago. His mother could barely feed the children from daily wages. About a year ago, his condition worsened and his mother brought him to Victoria General Hospital in Bangalore. He was treated and they returned home. It was at this stage that Muniraj realised his mother was really struggling to feed the children and that he was unable to help. He ran away to Bangalore.

By the time he was wandering around City Market here, his face and legs were swollen and he was struggling to breathe. One kind-hearted man spotted him, took him home and fed him. Learning about his condition, he called the Bosco Helpline 1098. Fr P.S. George of Bosco recalls, "We contacted his mother who pleaded with us to save her son's life. The doctors at Manipal Hospital, led by Dr. Joseph Xavier did the heart surgery on Muniraj on December 22." The Manipal Heart Foundation and contributions from Bosco's well-wishers made the surgery possible. Muniraj needs more help to lead a normal childhood.

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