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Student trying to raise money for his ill mother in India is gifted a van

Vinodh Chellapilli standing in a hallway in the Stake Center. He is wearing black shoes, navy and black plaid pants, a black belt and a white long-sleeve button-up shirt. One hand is in his pocket and the other hand is partially in his pocket. He is smiling.
Vinodh Chellapilli said he has maintained his faith in God through his trials.
Photo by Mark Daeson Tabbilos

Vinodh Chellapilli, a junior from India majoring in computer science, said his mother has been sick with multiple health issues since 2012. During 2021, he shared she was not able to pay for necessary treatments because employment in India is difficult due to her being a single mom. In addition, he said and two sisters are unable to help her.

With no one to look after her, Chellapilli shared he is the only one who can wholly support his mother. “I was asking God, ‘Why are all these things happening to me?’ I have been crying to God.”

Before his family became Church members, Chellapilli shared he and his family were homeless and had insufficient resources. Upon converting, he said they began to see the hand of God in their lives. “We cannot complain [about] the blessings we have received. … We have no words to express our gratitude to God and how blessed we are to having the gospel in our lives.”

He said he has learned there is a “purpose for every pain” and his personal and family trials have strengthened his love for and testimony in God. “I believe he will never leave us alone. He will always help us when we rely on him.”

Knowing that, Chellapilli said he was inspired by his friends to start a GoFundMe account to help raise money to support his mother.

The blessings of faith


As a convert to the Church, Chellapilli shared he has seen many miracles and heard many testimonies that have increased his awareness of God and his awareness of his children’s’ needs.

Before enrolling at BYU–Hawaii, he shared he had insufficient funds to pay for his schooling. He said senior missionaries from Idaho helped him obtain his visa and fulfill other requirements to leave the country.

This experience, he said, taught him if he has faith and does his part, the Lord will “add his part” to help. “I’ve seen so many miracles and still have hope and faith I will see more in the future.”

Chellapilli said he attended the Keiki Christmas Concert at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Dec. 8, which included a drawing of prizes. One of the prizes was a van, which Chellapilli ended up winning. “I was in tears when they called my name because it is a blessing from God.”

He said he plans to sell the van to help raise money for his mother and his sister if she is accepted into BYUH. His mother, he shared, is uneducated and illiterate but strongly believes in God and the power of prayer. “If my mom believes in God and Jesus Christ, that’s more than enough.”

Vinodh Chellapilli, wearing a red, blue and white long-sleeve button-up plaid shirt standing with his arms crossed in front of the white van he was gifted, which is parked in the parking lot of the hales. Other cars and a hale are blurry in the background.
Vinodh Chellapilli with the van he was gifted at the Keiki Christmas Concert.
Photo by Mark Daeson Tabbilos

An example to many


Kip Bowser, a sophomore from Utah majoring in videography and marketing, said he met Chellapilli in 2019 while praying on the beach.

“It was a hard day. … I said a prayer and [Chellapilli] showed up out of nowhere.” From there, he said they talked and became close friends.

Bowser said Chellapilli is very enthusiastic, nonjudgmental and constantly serving others. He said Chellapilli will make and serve food for people for free as well as message them about how they’re doing.

Going through adversity has made Chellapilli more serviceable and compassionate towards others without judgment, shared Bowser. “[I] can never judge somebody off of first glance. There are things about Vinodh I wouldn’t have known unless I’d really taken the time to know him.”

Bowser said even though Chellapilli has his own trials, he’s always serving others, which motivates Bowser to work hard and reach out to those who are struggling.

Continuing to serve during hardship


Chellapilli’s communications instructor, LeeAnn Lambert, said she met him at the beginning of the Fall 2021 Semester. Lambert, who is also the adviser to the Ke Alaka'i, said he is outgoing, humble and open about his concerns or challenges.

“He told me he was concerned about doing well in this class and asked me if I would be willing to work with him.” She said he had incurred his own health problems, adding to the weight of his mother being sick.

Lambert said she broke her leg halfway through the semester and required surgery to rehabilitate. During recovery, she shared Chellapilli would message her to see if she needed food to be sent to the hospital she was at.

“Even with his own health problems and his mom in the hospital in India, he was still worried about me.” She said his personal trials have pushed Chellapilli to work hard for himself and his family but also accept help when needed.

Chellapilli’s actions, Lambert shared, taught her about speaking up and asking for help so people can receive the support they need and do not have to feel alone.

Finding strength in trials


Mark Daeson Tabbilos, a senior from the Philippines majoring in TESOL education, said Chellapilli’s trials have made him stronger. He added Chellapilli is not one to ask for help but will accept it when it is offered.

Tabbilos said he met Chellapilli two years ago while working at the PCC luau. He said Chellapilli, who worked making smoothies and they became friends.

Like Bowser, Tabbilos said Chellapilli is always hardworking and has the initiative to complete tasks without being reminded. Once, he said he volunteered to help serve the sacrament upon a shortage of servers. “He clearly understood charity, the pure love of Christ. He knows his responsibility as a priesthood holder,” explained Tabbilos.

Bowser said Chellapilli is always looking to God in everything and seeing the good in everything. Amidst the trials and tribulations, Chellapilli expressed his gratitude for Heavenly Father and his education at BYUH.