With one functioning lung, a brain hemorrhage, multiple leg surgeries, and a heart that pumps only 56 percent of its capacity, every day for little Hemrita from India is a struggle. Oh, and she was born HIV positive. Yet according to senior Anisha Srivastava, her smile shines bright, and her spirit is inexhaustible.

“She is extremely smart and is number one in her class, even though she often misses school due to her poor health,” Anisha said. “Even when she is sick and in bed she won’t stop studying.”

Hemrita was one of many children with similar stories that benefitted from more than $5,000 of funds that Anisha and her brother, senior AJ, have raised since June 12 through their charity, GoMAD. Anisha and AJ traveled to India to visit the children over Thanksgiving break to donate these funds.

“[The week was] such a great reminder of all the things we have to be thankful for back home,” Anisha said. “These kids are truly a testimony of strength and spirit.”

Each one of the kids the Srivastavas met during their time in India was diagnosed HIV positive at birth. The brother and sister have held charity concert events to raise money for this cause in the past, and will be having another this Saturday, December 1, on World AIDS Day.

The event will be held in the high school commons area from 5-8 p.m. and will feature face painting and food, along with the concert-style singing that has become a traditional GoMAD charity event feature.

“I hope to see everyone there,” Anisha said. “We have so much to share, and these kids deserve all the support we can give.”