It’s good to have the Social Welfare Committee back in full swing after the summer break with their ongoing commitment and support of our regular charities. These include Mother Theresa Homes of Shishyu Bhavan, Royapuram, and Nirmal Hriday in Ennore, both of which look after the most desperate and destitute members of our community; Cheshire Homes for the physically challenged and multiple handicapped residents in Thiruvanmiyur, and St. George’s Home for the Elderly in Royapuram.
Eleonor visits Shishyu Bhavan every Tuesday afternoon to play with the children; Maureen keeps a regular eye on Cheshire Home and Lakshmi visits St. George’s and ensures the elderly ladies have not only their regular supplies but also their special birthday cakes. Suzanne has joined Maureen the last couple of times visiting Ennore providing provisions to keep them going in between their bi-monthly visits.
Aruna and Eleonor are working on the schedule for English classes and playgroups for Andhra Mahila Sabha physically and mentally challenged residents which begin again in August.
We were delighted to be able to support some very poor families in Ennore in paying the schools fees of 20 of their children. The support was earmarked with proceeds from some backpayments of our ‘At Home in Madras – A Handbook for Chennai.’ The book may be a bit out of date but the proceeds still do go to help support the underprivileged.
We regret to announce the sad demise of Mr. Chapman, Principal of St. George’s Creche for slum children. He had worked for tirelessly with them for many years and his death was premature and untimely.
Suzanne Townsend has touched the heart of her friends who have donated generously to her account and she has identified a couple of charities through this personal
support. In July, together with Jenny and Martha, they did a number of visits:
We went to Don Bosco orphanage, Riber Memorialcreche and Mercy Home. In Don Bosco on
the 1st July we delivered a set of new clothes for 120 kids, a pack for each child containing educational items of notebook, pencil, rubber, sharpener and slate. A big bucket of toys, bananas and nuts and basic hygiene products were provided including toothpastes, shampoos and detergents and towels for each child.
In Riber Memorial creche for slum children aged between 3-5 years, we visited the small children a few times, and on Sat 14th July we delivered educational packs to over 100 slum children who come every evening to study in their four centres.
In Mercy home they have two care areas; one for old people and a creche for slum children aged between 3-5 years. We visited both, and sponsored 5 school children with their school fees, uniforms and educational items.
We will be regularly visiting these places.
Volunteers more than welcome.
Contact Suzanne.
98846 89222
Bernadette needs help in trying to find someone who can take two dogs. She has not been able to find a home for them and will be leaving Chennai on August 13th.
