[Letter from my father to CRY – Child Relief and You]

2 November 1993

P.O. Box ____ Andersen Air Force Base
Yigo, Guam 96929
USA

CRY - Child Relief and You
__________
__________
New Delhi, 110 003

Dear Sir or Madam;

Thank you for the good work you are doing for the needy children of India. I received your address from President __________ of the India Bangalore Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I had written to him asking for help in contacting an organization or individual that I could work with to help a small beggar boy I met in the city of Agra during a recent trip to India on official United States Air Force business. President __________ recommended your organization as being of very good report and I now forward my request to you with the hope that this boy might be found and helped as needed.

I met the child first at the entrance to Agra fort in the city of Agra where he was begging. He was only a little over a meter tall but his feet were incredibly swollen to more than ten times their normal size. In fact, each foot was about the size of a large loaf of bread and the toes were also swollen and disjointed. I only had a moment to interact with him but I gave him some money and felt helpless to do more since I was on a brief tour at the conclusion of my official business and the rest of the tour members were preparing to depart. Later that evening I met the boy again by chance at the Agra train station. During this meeting I had a little more time and was able to get some more details. He indicated that he was 10 years-old and it was plain that his greatly swollen feet were causing him a significant amount of discomfort. I used the 15 minutes I had before the train departed to try and find an adult who was responsible for him and with whom I could talk to see if there wasn’t some way I could try and get him the medical attention he needed. The boy spoke very little English and I was ultimately unsuccessful at finding someone who could help. At last the train arrived and I had to board but I left him with what money I could, realizing that it was only a minor bit of help. I then had to leave Agra for the return trip to New Delhi.

Once I returned home to Guam I contacted the base Flight Surgeon to see if he could tell me what was causing the little boy’s condition. The Flight Surgeon indicated the boy’s symptoms, as I described them, sounded like a severe case of protein deficiency. He also indicated that there was a reasonable chance the condition could be reversed, or at least improved, by a consistently protein sufficient diet. Too much protein in the diet, he warned, could adversely affect the boy’s kidneys and cause grave complications.

Since my return to Guam I have written numerous letters trying to find someone in India that I could work with to locate this boy and see that he gets the help he needs. Ultimately I was given your organization’s address.

I realize that a significant amount of time has passed since I first met the boy and understand from President __________ in India that it is common for beggar boys such as this one to move from place to place fairly regularly. I am also aware there are no doubt other social factors connected with this beggar boy and those with whom he apparently works that would have to be overcome. Still, if there is a possibility that someone from your organization could at least try to help locate this boy and get him the help he needs it would be a great blessing to him and I would be very grateful.

I have checked with a number of financial institutions here on Guam to determine the best way to send you some funds to help get started if possible. Being a small island, none of the institutions seem to know what is best so in order to save time I have simply enclosed a personal check in the hopes that you will be able to cash it locally. If there is a better way to send funds please let me know by return mail and I will make the necessary arrangements.

I realize of course that $___ dollars is not a sufficient amount to try and locate this child and get him all the help he needs, but it is a start. If you will let me know what financial help is required and how best to send it to you I will make the necessary arrangements to the best of my ability.

Thank you for all your good work with the children of India and for any help you may be able to offer to this young beggar boy. I know there is a great work to do and I want to help you in my small way. Please let me know how I can.

Very truly yours,

__________
Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force