Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 6: An illustrious family of doctors from here, currently settled in the USA, has raised a family of nine children. This might look odd at a time when parents usually limit their offspring to one or two.

The parents, consisting of cardiologists and musicians, not only have taken good care of their children but also imparted them with preliminary training in piano and violin. All the nine children, aged between six and 22, can play the violin well. They have mastered the violin so much that the soulful music they render through their violins touches everyone's heart, whether he is a connoisseur of music or not.

Dr Gerard Abreo is the father of these children. He is a cardiologist in Houston, Texas. His wife is Nicole Lobo Abreo, who is a native of Kuwait and whose parents too are of Bejai, Mangaluru origin. She has a degree in music from Toronto University, Canada. The two were attracted to each other because of their love of music. The couple, who are Catholics, are god-fearing. When people ask how they take care of so many children, Dr Gerard says they are the gifts of god and that the Lord takes care of and guides them.

Violin learners need to have a lot of concentration. They need to immerse in music to be able to master the art. The fact that all the children can play the violin and piano is surprising.

Dr Gerard says instead of sending the children to school, they teach them at home so that they get time to read, attend church, play etc. The children, who in normal course are expected to play with other children, are growing up at home. It is learnt that a tutor comes there daily to teach science and maths to the small children. The others study on their own, and both the elder children are getting trained to become doctors and engineers. Gerard says homeschooling teaches them good behaviour and discipline. Nicole teaches music and other subjects.

The couple visits Mangaluru and Bengaluru every year. During these visits, they arrange musical programmes of the children in homes for the aged or orphanages. They do this selflessly and their gesture is very much liked by the people.