“You wanted to adopt an HIV+ child, no? I have one. Come and take him,” informed the voice from the other end. 

Solomon Raj was perplexed. What Noori, a transgender woman who ran an NGO in Chennai, said was true. But that was when he was childless for eight years after marriage in 1992. But now he has been blessed with two biological children. 

Refusal to accept that boy also pricked his conscience since he had then desired to care an unwanted child.

 When Solomon went to visit the six year old boy, he was moved since Arputha’s both parents and all his five siblings have died due to the deadly virus. And this boy’s days too were counted. 

When Solomon brought Arputha home, his family refused to accept the HIV affected boy. So Solomon hired another house. Since his wife Felvia Shanti too was a working lady, Solomon took the boy along with him to his office. But his colleagues disapproved it. So Solomon resigned his job. That was in 2005.

While Solomon was looking for a companion for Arputha, he got another six years old HIV+ girl from Noori. 

The news began to spread that Solomon is adopting HIV+ kids. So a 70 years old man came from Andhra Pradesh and pleaded Solomon to take care of his two HIV+ grandchildren since it was impossible for that old man to travel every week to Chennai for their medical treatment. 

Though it was difficult for Solomon to care two more kids, he then remembered the pledge he had taken in the school: “All Indians are my brothers and sisters.” He accepted those kids and made it his mission in life.

He spent his savings on them. To care these kids, he began doing three jobs. Though many kept them at a distance, some well-wishers began sending him some donations.  He contacted hospitals and institutions to send some HIV+ affected adults to care the small ones when he goes out to work. 

Since owners refused to rent them their houses, he built his Shelter in Red Hills in Chennai. 

He has 47 HIV+ members today. The kids’ age is between 3 - 20, studying in the neighbouring government schools and colleges. Most of their parents are dead. Arputha has completed his B. Sc in Computer Science.

Today the home is run by 11 HIV+ members and an on-call doctor, counselor and accountant.  His wife and biological children also live with them as one family without any discrimination. 

Not wishing to expand his NGO, Solomon says he wants to work towards “Home care support” and the institutional care only as the last resort. He supports 60 such children.  

The middle-aged Solomon says, “It brings me immense  joy when they call me ‘Appa’ (Dad)”. He adds, “My children are very talented. I want them to have a better future and good health.”

 “The world may not change if you adopt a child; but for that child, his world will change.”