This Diwali, save abandoned, elderly widow mothers of Vrindavan from begging on streets

"My son is wealthy but I am a burden to him. I struggle for every meal and beg to survive," says a sobbing elderly mother, burdened by the grief of abandonment. The streets of Vrindavan are home to hundreds of elderly mothers who have been driven away from their own homes by their children. Some even live with the trauma of having been abused and assaulted by their families.

These mothers who sacrificed everything for their families today beg to survive and struggle to get even two square meals a day. Pure Devotion Foundation and Maitri India have been providing shelter, care, and much-needed medical treatment to hundreds of widow mothers. However, the NGOs cannot continue to serve elderly mothers without support. Come forward and donate generously.

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A Life of unimaginable suffering

Most widows who make their way to Vrindavan are abandoned by their families, often after years of abuse. They come here hoping they will spend the rest of their days in prayer and devotion. But most live in impoverished conditions on the streets and in dingy rooms. Poor living conditions often cause a wide range of health ailments, including respiratory infections and chronic conditions. Pure Devotion Foundation and Maitri India come to their rescue through their work on the ground.

“Someone's back isn't right. Someone can't walk, can't sit, or has eyesight issues. Someone has bad knees, blood pressure, or diabetes. These elderly mothers have various types of illnesses. At a time when they needed care and shelter the most, their sons have driven them out of their houses. In Vrindavan, thousands of mothers have been shunned by their sons. In this condition, they beg to survive somehow across the streets of Vrindavan. Somehow they survive by eating rice soaked in water,” says Gopal Das, Founder, Pure Devotion Foundation.

The NGOs urgently need support to provide food, shelter, and medical care to these widow mothers who are prone to more illnesses as they age.

“Through Project Jeevan, Maitri houses aging widow mothers in two ashrams in Vrindavan and Radhakund (Mathura), providing them with wellness and well-being. The programme also reaches out to widow mothers beyond the ashrams with fruit, milk and healthcare services,” explains Winnie Singh, Co-founder and Executive Director, Maitri India

Donate to this fundraiser for Pure Devotion Foundation and Maitri India on give.do, India’s largest and most trusted online donation platform, to provide abandoned elderly mothers of Vrindavan with urgent treatment, care, and shelter.