Smiles all around while playing with Mary Church and other team members. Pictured here are (from left) Priskilla, Surya, Tamil Selvi (front), Yamuna (back), Sangeetha, Kanimoli (back) and Kiruba (waving).  

Johnny Church (age 7) with his new friend Velusamy (also age 7). While Johnny's mom will tell you Johnny is short for his age, you can see the striking difference in size for the 2 kids even though they are the same age. Malnutrition and poor care have resulted in stunted growth for most of the kids at Miracle Garden. Now, however, they eat 3 meals per day plus healthy snacks, and many of those who came to us in January and February of 2005 are already outgrowing their pants by 2-3 inches! 

Orphan Nandakumar with his tsunami picture. He climbed to the roof of his hut and tried to help both his sister and brother also up. The wave came in and though he was holding on to his sister's hand as she climbed, she was ripped out of his hands by the retreating wave. He says, "I held on as long as I could." When he turned around to look for his brother he was gone, too. Please keep all the children in your prayers as they work to build a successful future after this terrible disaster.  

Drawing the tsunami disaster. The children all were asked to draw some of the things that still stick in their minds as they remember last year's tsunami. Many of the kids are making progress in healing, yet a few of them are still dealing with psychological effects such as nightmares, bladder control issues, extreme guilt, and anger. All the children were on their best behavior while we were there, but we wanted to give them time to express their frustrations so we could just be good listeners and comforters in return.  

Dressed for an Indian Christmas. Team members Elizabeth Church with her kids Johnny (age 7) & Mary (age 10). 

Boxes, boxes everywhere - the children's Christmas trunks await filling with even more surprises.  

Team member Kate McCullough with 5-year-old Kiruba at the water park. The orphans enjoyed a day of fun and play with our team. 

Naptime in the van - Team member Kim Do with Tamil Selvi and Surya on her lap. 

This could be you! Join us for another trip to Miracle Garden Tsunami Children's Home in July of 2006. For more information contact Michelle Pandian at miraclegarden_india@yahoo.com 

News link:
 

News interview link:  

Click this video link to watch a news broadcast of an interview with Michelle Pandian and team member Lynne MacConnell after their December visit to Miracle Garden. 

Orphan Guyathri thanks her sponsors the Shah's for the red bike! 

Thank you Mothers and More for the beautiful and warm fleece blankets you made for us! We love them! 

Orphans Selva Rani and Anitha. These 2 girls were taken into the college, as they are 18 and 19 respectively. They lost their families, houses and possessions in the tsunami, and have come to rebuild new dreams for the future through their education.  

Playdough creations of Arul Mano, Velusamy and Johnson Durai (the boys leader).  

The boys showing off some of their Christmas presents in their dorm room. Just seeing the smiles on thier faces made the whole trip worth it.  

The Mayfield Towers girls' dorm with the staff quarters in the background. Miracle Garden truly is a beautiful place for these children to make their dreams for the future come true in a caring environment. With your help we can make it happen! 

Girls Tamil Selvi (bottom), Surya (left) and Nitya (right) "taking pictures" of us with their toy cameras, just as we took so many pictures of them. 

Team member Kate McCullough sharing her testimony with the children of how she survived the tsunami in Phuket, Thailand last year. It was a very moving testimony as each child in the audience had experienced the same terror Kate had. They formed a bond that no one else in the team could really share.  

Thank you to everyone who sent and decorated pillowcases for the children with their names on them! 

Team members Bill & Ruth Percival sharing Christmas gifts with their two sponsored boys, Bala Murugan (front) and Arun Kumar.  

Orphan Joel is also thrilled to find such things as a remote control car and tootsie rolls in his Christmas trunk. 

Our smallest resident at Miracle Garden, Kiruba (age 5) opens her Christmas trunk. You should have seen her eyes light up. Many of these children have never celebrated Christmas before in their lives. Traditionally what children receive as gifts on holidays or birthdays is a set on new clothes. With your help we were able to provide them toys, shoes and personal items as well. 

Orphan Ilakya (sponsored by Nancy Fenity) opens her Christmas trunk to find a cuddly surprise.