Place: PROVIDENCE HOME (Phone: +91-484-2266372 / 2681676)
Purpose of visit : Charity
Date of visit : 8th Oct, 2011
Location: Vilangu P.O., Kizhakkambalam, Ernakulam dist. Kerala, India
Landmark: Wonder La (Veegaland) / Kitex garments
Providence Home is an orphanage run under "Little Servants of Divine Providence Charitable Society", House of Providence, Kunnamthanam P.O., Thiruvalla (Via), Pathanamthitta Dist., Kerala State, India.
I have visited the above branch of Providence Home at Kizhakkambalam today with my family. The lunch for today for the inhabitants was provided by us. There are 110 orphans there as inhabitants in total and only one out of them is a male. We were told by one of the sisters that this male was totally disabled physically but he could understand what we say and can respond with minor chin movements and some vague sounds, which is so as we have had a little interaction with him. We were told that he knows very well about the days of a week and he used to fast on all Fridays...
There are around 20-25 girls there who are totally disabled both mentally and physically. As the sister explained to us, these hapless ones having no sense of their surroundings and were not able to control their urine or motion. It would be like a cattle shed in the morning shattered with the excreta.
There are many heart breaking stories behind many of the inhabitants there - like rape victims who got sick due to the mental shock and a small girl is there who got major handicaps as her mother gave birth at a small age of 13 years etc...
It is only 9 sisters who are managing all these children which is a herculean task as we find its very difficult to manage 2-3 kids who are very normal, in our day to day life. I got astonished to find out that all the jobs like brushing, washing, bathing, cleaning their clothes, bed sheets, cleaning the floors, cooking etc etc all done by them and with the help of some children who are capable of helping them and NO PAID SERVANTS.
When checked if they get any funds or benefits from the government, they said that they do not go for it as it would create unnecessary issues as they have to go with the strict conditions laid out by the government which would hamper the quality and quantity of their service and accommodate the children. They were in a small building with very limited facilities in a place called Athani earlier.. and now shifted to their own place at Vilangu. Now they can accommodate 160 children but they have 110 there. The mother said that they did not want to go for more, even if they wish to because of acute shortage of sisters at this branch. If they do, then the attention given to each would be very less which would make it difficult further. Still I wonder how these 9 angels manage 110 children (1:12)?!!
As far as the funds are concerned, they get help from the local people and do not get anything from abroad. People around would help them in kind and cash. Some people contribute by way of providing some provision, some by giving clothes and some others by giving money...
One more thing -- apart from normal day to day activities, it is these sisters who go out for purchasing all items including provisions and they take out the sick children to hospitals for treatment etc... It is said that around Rs.35,000/- was required per month for a mentally retarded child towards her medicine.
As advised by Sr.Superior, anybody who wish to donate can do so by sending their cheque/drafts drawn in favour of "LSDP Charitable Society" payable at Aluva, Kerala, India. Below is the visiting card with all details for you to contact:
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Purpose of visit : Charity
Date of visit : 8th Oct, 2011
Location: Vilangu P.O., Kizhakkambalam, Ernakulam dist. Kerala, India
Landmark: Wonder La (Veegaland) / Kitex garments
Providence Home is an orphanage run under "Little Servants of Divine Providence Charitable Society", House of Providence, Kunnamthanam P.O., Thiruvalla (Via), Pathanamthitta Dist., Kerala State, India.
I have visited the above branch of Providence Home at Kizhakkambalam today with my family. The lunch for today for the inhabitants was provided by us. There are 110 orphans there as inhabitants in total and only one out of them is a male. We were told by one of the sisters that this male was totally disabled physically but he could understand what we say and can respond with minor chin movements and some vague sounds, which is so as we have had a little interaction with him. We were told that he knows very well about the days of a week and he used to fast on all Fridays...
There are around 20-25 girls there who are totally disabled both mentally and physically. As the sister explained to us, these hapless ones having no sense of their surroundings and were not able to control their urine or motion. It would be like a cattle shed in the morning shattered with the excreta.
There are many heart breaking stories behind many of the inhabitants there - like rape victims who got sick due to the mental shock and a small girl is there who got major handicaps as her mother gave birth at a small age of 13 years etc...
It is only 9 sisters who are managing all these children which is a herculean task as we find its very difficult to manage 2-3 kids who are very normal, in our day to day life. I got astonished to find out that all the jobs like brushing, washing, bathing, cleaning their clothes, bed sheets, cleaning the floors, cooking etc etc all done by them and with the help of some children who are capable of helping them and NO PAID SERVANTS.
When checked if they get any funds or benefits from the government, they said that they do not go for it as it would create unnecessary issues as they have to go with the strict conditions laid out by the government which would hamper the quality and quantity of their service and accommodate the children. They were in a small building with very limited facilities in a place called Athani earlier.. and now shifted to their own place at Vilangu. Now they can accommodate 160 children but they have 110 there. The mother said that they did not want to go for more, even if they wish to because of acute shortage of sisters at this branch. If they do, then the attention given to each would be very less which would make it difficult further. Still I wonder how these 9 angels manage 110 children (1:12)?!!
As far as the funds are concerned, they get help from the local people and do not get anything from abroad. People around would help them in kind and cash. Some people contribute by way of providing some provision, some by giving clothes and some others by giving money...
One more thing -- apart from normal day to day activities, it is these sisters who go out for purchasing all items including provisions and they take out the sick children to hospitals for treatment etc... It is said that around Rs.35,000/- was required per month for a mentally retarded child towards her medicine.
As advised by Sr.Superior, anybody who wish to donate can do so by sending their cheque/drafts drawn in favour of "LSDP Charitable Society" payable at Aluva, Kerala, India. Below is the visiting card with all details for you to contact:
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