Courtney Deacon Lalotra

Courtney Deacon Lalotra

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After graduating from FIT in 2010, Courtney took part in a textile research project in Northern India. What was supposed to be a 30 day trip turned into a life-long mission to rescue India’s abandoned children.

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See how one woman’s love is transforming the lives of abandoned children in India.

In 2010, Courtney made a last-minute decision to join a group of fellow alumni and professors on a trip to India. Courtney fell in love with the country and the people. A month later, Courtney did not return to the USA with the rest of the
group.

Instead, Courtney moved into a slum in north Delhi and began teaching street and orphan children. The community quickly embraced her. They called her didi, meaning ‘big sister’. She developed sincere relationships with the children of the slum and she had a vision for them: if they received the love and care that every child deserves, they could do amazing things. Courtney would have spent her life in that slum had it not been for a chance encounter with Sundar, an abandoned child with special needs. Sundar was abused and left for dead on the roadside on a cold winter night. He was rescued by police and brought to the shelter home where Courtney was volunteering. He was non-verbal so he could not explain what he endured. He was naked, scared and covered with wounds.

Courtney began caring for the boy and would try to meet his needs the best she could. After a few short weeks, Sundar was able to tell her his name. It was truly a miracle. Courtney knew that Sundar would soon make a full recovery as a result of the love and care he was receiving.

However, the shelter home was not willing to provide the space for Sundar, stating that his special needs were a drain on their resources. He was sent to a state-run mental institution notorious for neglecting the thousands of children who reside there. Sundar died a month later

Courtney’s spirit was crushed. She found herself asking God, “Why?” and she felt as if God was asking her the same thing. “Why?”

That is when Courtney decided to take a step of faith and open a home for abandoned and orphaned children with special needs. In 2014, with the support of friends, family and the congregation of a local NJ-based church, One Life to Love opened its doors and began rescuing children from the streets and slums.

Since its establishment, thousands of lives have been transformed as a result of One Life to Love’s unique approach. However, Courtney’s vision was never to reach millions through One Life to Love. Her emphasis has always been on the innate value of every single individual. She believes in quality over quantity, stating, “Maybe I can’t help 100, 000 street children today. But I can change one child’s life today, through love, care and provision. And if I help one and you help one, then we are genuinely changing the world.”

Courtney was recognized by Governor Phil Murphy during the India:US Business syndicate in New Delhi in September 2017.Courtney, her husband Yogesh, their son Vikramaditya and daughter Bhavani reside in India, where Courtney continues to carry out One Life to Love’s mission.