Social Welfare

Despite the year-end for our OWC activities, the social welfare activities continue year-round, as do the bi-monthly visit to Nirmal Hriday, Ennore and Jeevodaya Cancer Hospice, Manali is planned for Tuesday, 25th March. We’ll also deliver provisions to Shishyu Bhavan, Royapuram along the way. Room for a couple of helpers, and those interested please contact Maureen 98402-93027. Car will leave 10 AM from Maureen’s residence in Kilpauk. Lakshmi continues to deliver provisions to St. George’s Home for the Aged and would like help with delivery of the monthly birthday cakes.

Aruna hosted a party for her students from AMS on March 22 and the kids as usual enjoyed themselves on her sprawling lawn and in the jacuzzi, as well as a walk to the beach, and most of all the sumptuous tea.

Thanks to SMEC who contributed Rs.1 lakh towards a tsunami house, I am pleased to say that the house is now completed. An additional Rs.1 lakh was dispersed from OWC funds, but I have managed to get SMEC to contribute a further Rs.50K which will help reduce our OWC deficit. Photo in Annual Report.

Re educational and nutritional support, an integral part of our activities, a donation of Rs.Rs.36,000/- (Jan-Dec.2008) was handed over to Sanjitha Shah for the Little Lambs School in Redhills which will cover part of the nutrition support of milk and bananas for the school children from underprivileged families. Jo also supplements this program.

The Chennai Cheshire Home launched their 50th anniversary celebrations on February 23, at Raj Bhavan with His Excellency The Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri Surjit Barnala Singh creating a canvas, together with the budding artists from Cheshire Home. His Excellency has offered the canvas for auction at a Gala Dinner on Saturday, 6th September. A date for your diaries!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
A number of people come forward, from time to time, to offer their time and support for our social welfare activities, but unfortunately, we don’t seem to get any further than the ‘offer of help.’ We would love to have more volunteers who could visit Shishyu Bhavan on Tuesday afternoons for play-time/drawing with the mentally challenged girls.

Lakshmi would love to have support with her St. George’s visits and delivery of birthday cakes. During April and May, volunteers needed for leisure activities with Cheshire Home residents – painting/outings and swimming.

Sisters at Ennore would also appreciate visitors more often – but it is a long way and at least an hour’s drive from Adyar.