In India, there are a great number of abandoned and orphaned children. There is also an increasing problem of female infanticide with the birth rate for female children dropping at an alarming rate in some regions. TEWFI has been concerned with this major predicament for some time and, in 2001, began building Uluru Children's Home (UCH) with the aim of providing shelter to orphaned, abandoned and destitute female children. Speech by Justice Ron Merkel

UCH has been operating successfully since 2003 and about 33 young children between the ages of three months and thirteen years call Uluru home. In 2006 due to the increased demand to accommodate children displaced by the December 2004 Tsunami, TEWFI decided to admit male children as well as female. The reason behind this was to avoid separating siblings. There are a number of staff employed, most from the local village, to attend to the needs of the children.

Many people contributed to the development of UCH.

In fact, a large donation by a son honouring his parents allowed the project to begin. Arjan Dev Tuli, and his wife, Sudesh Rani Tuli, dedicated the Uluru Children's Home to the memory of Arjun's parents, Shri Dina Nath Tuli and Smt. Purani Devi Tuli.

Another donation came in the form of pro bono work, the architectural and conceptual design work was the contribution of Australian team, Sandra Nervegna and Leon Lopata. The theme that they have created is essentially native with emphasis on simplicity with a light, bright, airy, open yet secure atmosphere for the young children.

We know that this facility is representing 'only a drop in the ocean ' in redressing the unfortunate problems facing the people in these areas. We are certain, however, with your help that we can make it a significant drop!"

Ana, a young girl of 6 years of age, was referred to UCH from a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) in Chennai. Their report states that she was rescued from an old woman who ill-treated her and used her for begging. On further discussion with the child, she said that she is from a rural village (she doesn't remember the name of this place), her father was an alcoholic who used to regularly beat her and her family. Eventually, the mother left the family and the father decided to remarry. He considered his three children a hindrance to his new marriage and decided to hand over their care to his aunt in Chennai.

The children were mistreated by the Aunt and planned to escape back to their native village, but the elder brother unexpectedly ran away and left the two sisters. The elder sister, who was very disappointed by her brother's act, escaped from the house with Ana but she left the child in a bus terminal and disappeared. An old woman then approached the roaming child and asked her whether she would be interested in staying with her. The child agreed and went to live with her in a thatched hut on the pavement. Initially, Ana was asked to take care of pigs. As days went by, she was asked to go begging.

Ana began begging on the streets of Chennai. One day, during their intervention with the child, an NGO identified the truth and reported to the police. Necessary steps were taken against the old woman for involving Ana in begging, and Ana was handed over to an NGO who referred her to the Uluru Children's Home. Ana was later asked if she was happy in the Children's Home and replied instantly that she was very happy, that she wished to be here permanently and wished to go to school and study hard under our care. When she was asked about her future ambition, she replied," I don't know, but I think I wish to become a good Indian citizen when I grow up!".

The name of the girl featured in this story has been changed to protect her identity.

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