Morning Star Children's Home:
We committed to fund the building construction of the Morning Star orphanage in Bangalore, India. It will double the footprint of the building which currently accommodates 55 children.
This home was started by John Samson 18 years ago. He found a starving 2 year old child thrown in a filthy rubbish bin. He took the child and built a "shed" with tin, asbestos sheets and rejected concrete blocks. It was smaller than a dumpster and resembled a kennel.
He then found more children on railway tracks, in quarries and in the street. Many of them had physical or mental disabilities. One child was so malnourished he had chewed the flesh off his arm. Only recently has he stopped habitually gnawing at his arm.
John took them all in - and begged for help to feed them. There are no conditions - regardless of caste or creed - any starving child on the street is welcome.
Today, they have a wonderful home where the 55 children live happily. The "challenged" kids are cared for 24/7. John sleeps on mats on the floor with them at night and when they have bowel problems he carries them outside to clean and wash them without waking the other sleeping children. The mats are washed each morning and hung out to dry on the roof during the day.
The "capable" children attend school - walking 1 km to a bus each day. They showed us their homework and the pride they take in their exercise books is astonishing.
All children are spotlessly clean, polite, friendly and happy. Most of all, they are safe.
All of them are doing well . . . . even those who are immobile. John moves them to a different spot every hour and plays with them frequently during the day. There is no shortage of attention - from John or the other children.
One 10 year old boy who wants to be a doctor (and tops his science class) is also in charge of the email at the home. He is responsible for all external communication and proudly uses his own name as the e-mail address for the home!
The first child who was rescued from the rubbish bin is now studying 4th year pharmacy - and still lives in the home! He helps with cooking, cleaning, and caring for the challenged children.
They live a simple but healthy life. . . . . 100% vegan. They do not eat garlic or consume tea or coffee - as it upsets the youngest children. They grow fruit, nuts, berries and flowers. They have several animals and have adopted as pets - dogs, turkeys, cats, goats and sheep.
While John and I were crouched over the architects drawings for the extension, he told the children Trix and I were going to build them a bigger home. 20 kids broke into applause and jumped on us clapping and hugging us.
The children play sport every day, and engage in art, dance and music hobbies. Twice a day they attend a peaceful orchard they have built on the hill and, sitting in a circle, engage in contemplative meditation.
The children asked it they could sing for us. . . . it was surreal and extraordinary . . two songs, "We Welcome you to Morning Star" and "I am a child of God".
Trix and I were visibly shaken, and with lumps in our throat we broke down in tears.
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Where Morning Star found its beginnings. John lived here with 
John and three of the challenged children showing us their vegetable/flower garden.
Some of the children are immobile, John will move them every hour to a different spot in the courtyard.
Discussing the possibility of an extension.
Recently they finished the dormitory for the capable children 
Coming home from school. The entrance has fruit trees and flowers
The capable children help to look after the challenged ones
10-year-old boy, showing his science exercise book
Schoolwork shown to Philip with great pride.
All the school children now have beds and make their homework in the dormitory. The beds where only recently donated, before they received this donation they slept on mats on the floor.
Ready to do her homework.
All of them are doing well . . . . even those who are immobile. John moves them to a different spot every hour and plays with them frequently during the day. 
Lots of hugs. . . . . 
Rescued animals…
now very much loved pets.
Twice a day they attend a peaceful orchard they have built on the hill. Sitting in a circle, they meditate before meals.
John and Philip study the proposal to construct the dormitory and playroom for the children.
The Winsome Constance Kindness Trust has committed to fund the building construction of the Morning Star Children's Home.
The new extension doubles the size of the building which currently accommodates 55 children.
The children asked if they could sing for us. . . . “We welcome you to Morning Star” and “I am a child of God.”
John and the school children
Saying Goodbye