Most of the runaways usually land up in the bus stations , railway stations and from there many of them come to the Church. Its really a relief that there is a general feeling among the children that if they come to the Church—no harm can come to them. And true to their feeling—in this way lot of children are rescued from the hands of pimps and brokers.

 Kavitha , a 13-year-old from Salem , with a similar feeling landed up at the St Anthony’s Church in Chennai. Sitting outside the church, she was wondering whether it was a right decision on her part to run away from home. But her stubborn self refuse to admit that she had not done the right thing. As all these conflicting thoughts were running across her mind, Fr Sebastain spotted her. Gently he approached the small figure, "What are you doing here dear?"

Hungry and tired , Kavitha looked up, she somehow felt that this was a person ,who she could trust and rely on. She told him her name but didn’t tell him the reason why she escaped from home. Meanwhile, Father thought that the best place for the girl was Marialaya. He had confidence that the Sisters would be able to get the truth out of the girl and make arrangements to help her. So the very next day, he took her to the Sisters there.

 “ My parents used to beat me. They forced me to discontinue my studies. I was forced to go to work. I could bear it no longer. So, I ran away.” This was what Kavitha told the Sisters. The Sisters told her nothing. They just encouraged her to study and work. She was asked help to make packets. Days passed by, and gradually though counseling, the Sisters realized the truth- the actual reason why Kavitha ran away from home. Her parents actually cared for her a lot. The little girl had no inclination towards studies. So, her parents gave up hope and asked her to take up any other vocation. But the girl was basically lazy- so, she escaped. But her stay at Mariyalaya had brought about some changes in her. She realized the meaning of love and the dignity of labor.

The Sisters gradually managed to get the address of Kavitha’s parents from her. Her parents were overjoyed to get their child back. They were thankful to God and the Sisters for rescuing Kavitha and giving her shelter and guidance. They went back home with definitely a happy heart.

Kala and Nithya

 This is the tale of two sisters who had been long associated with Mariyalaya. The first time the Sisters of Marialaya saw the pair was during the first summer camp conducted for street girls at St Francis Xavier in May 1991. Those days, their father used to be Cyclerickshaw puller and stayed with his daughters on Broadway Main Road. The reason why the Sisters spotted the two sisters were their inclination towards studying. So, Sister Vimala soon took the initiative and put them at St. Annes High School that very year.

 The heartening part was their father’s keen interest in his daughters’ education. When the Shelter Home of Marialaya started, both Kala and Nithya were the regular members of the project. Life, however is very unpredictable. The children were quite contend with life when one day, their life changed again without warning. That was the day of their mother’s death anniversary. The children put on their best clothes and collected flowers for their mother’s grave. To their shock, on the way , they found their father lying motionless on the road. Frightened, they ran near him—his body was cold as ice—the poor man had breathed his last. The children sensed it and ran to the Sisters for help.The Sisters took charge and sent message across in case they had any relatives around. Till noon, no one turned up. In the evening, when the Sisters themselves decided to arrange for the burial, the dead man’s sister came rushing. She took the body along with her and took care of the burial. However that very night, she came with the two small children and told the Sisters to take care of the children. Sister Bridget accepted the girls and they became the first orphans under Marialaya settlement of orphan girls.

 The children continued with their studies. They soon got promoted to their next class. But , the time had come for them to shift from Marialaya. They had reached an age that none of Marialaya's orphanage could fit them. Soon they were handed over to YWCA Secretary Ms. Sulochana Issac. But somehow, the children could not adjust there and later they were entrusted to Life Health Centre at Palavakkam. They regained their normal lives there and are happy now.

Darani

 ‘A five year old raped’ – this news would have certainly found a place in the newspapers. It would have been read as an item by many sympathetic readers—perhaps none of the readers would have given it an aftermath thought. One should be thankful, that there are people in this world who feel that there is a duty far beyond. These are low profile people who touch other people’s life.

When this five-year old named Darani landed up in Marialaya—the little one was running high fever and was in a state of shock. The Sisters immediate took her to the doctor. In delirium, the little girl spoke of stray incidents which the Sisters put together into pieces and realized the truth. The truth was terrible—it was a revelation of the animalistic side of human beings. Maybe—it would be unwise to say animalistic- because animals also have a heart and compassion.

Both of Darani’s parents used to work in a hosiery Company. The girl was enrolled to a school and after school, she used to spend the hours alone till her parents came back. A neighbor and a family friend soon started dropping in on the pretext of playing with her But their intentions were not at all pure. The little girl fell prey to their lust and desire and hence she ran.

The Sisters informed the parents. They were shocked about the entire episode. They took the matter to Court and it had been intervened by Ministers as well. Meanwhile, it took almost a month for Darani to recover. Till then, she was kept at the Home. Later her parents took her back with them and ensured that the girl was well protected. Today, she is leading a normal life.