The Stella-Louise Hostel project was started in 1999 after a chance meeting in Ashby de la Zouch between Maria Maddocks and Fr Devadath (Deva) Peram from Andhra Pradesh in South-East India. It began in Fr Deva’s parish with fifteen very poor boys whom he was helping to house, feed, clothe and educate. Fr.Deva asked for help to sponsor children and so the project began. He has worked tirelessly on
behalf of the children in his care. He was once a poor child himself and when he was ordained he decided to try to help alleviate the poverty of children in his parish. Deva’s cousin Mrs K. Leela became involved, acting as housemother in a rented house in Vijayawada. This development allowed places for girls to become available. Building work on a permanent home for the children began as money became available and the Stella-Louise Hostel was officially opened in 2004
There are now approximately 120 children housed at Stella-Louise aged between 4 and 17 years. These children often come from very poor families who have no prospect of being able to provide for their children or pay towards their education. In 2008 work started on the 2nd floor of the Hostel; this has enabled the children to be housed in greater comfort and privacy. Under the care of Mrs. Leela and her impressive staff, the hostel at Nidamanuru, a village near Vijayawada, provides the children with a safe living environment, an opportunity to receive an education and a chance to form their own sense of aspiration and fulfil their promise for the future.
