Hunger and malnutrition have become a reality for thousands of elderly parents abandoned by their own children, in villages and slums across India. Seeing the rampant distress among the elderly, a team of selfless heroes from our NGO partner Mitti Cafe, though disabled themselves, have taken up the responsibility of providing cooked meals and dry rations to over 5,000 elderly in urgent need of support. Setting aside their own struggles, Mitti Cafe’s team, led by Ayesha Alam has been relentlessly fighting to free elderly from hunger and malnutrition through its Karuna Meals initiative. The need for nutrition support is growing with each passing day and Mitti Cafe is struggling to fulfill this enormous need. With your support, the NGO and its team of persons with disability can put food on the plates of hundreds of more elderly parents. Donate generously.Donate easily through UPI, all debit/credit cards and net banking. Charitable donations to this fundraising campaign are tax exempted under 80G of the Income Tax Act (India), &amp; 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (USA). Elderly deserve love, not neglect and hunger“There have been countless senior citizens, in extremely backward villages of the Sundarbans in West Bengal, who had not had a proper meal in days when we found them. We have seen people picking food from the garbage out of extreme hunger.”, recalls Ayesha of Mitti Cafe, while talking about the extent of hunger faced by senior citizens. According to Ayesha, there are thousands of elderly who have been either chucked out of their homes or have been left behind in villages by their children. “Our elderly don't deserve this life and it is our responsibility to come to their aid. If we come together we can ease the suffering of hundreds of people battling hunger and starvation. Donate now Our heroes’ war against hungerPersons with disability who were once discriminated against by society are today at the forefront of the fight to save abandoned elderly and children from hunger. The Karuna Meals team, comprising only of persons with disability has been able to cook and serve over 10 lakh meals. They have also distributed over 1 lakh packets of dry rations. ”They overlook their own struggles and suffering just to reach the elderly and provide them with the food they need,” says Ayesh. But their job is not yet done. “There are still many villages which have many malnourished and hungry seniors and we have not been able to reach them. But with your support, we can collectively end starvation,” she says. Donate now. Donate to this fundraiser by Give, India’s largest and most trusted online donation platform, to help the elderly fight hunger and malnutrition.

Support Mitti Cafe’s team of disabled heroes end hunger and malnutrition for thousands. Donate now

“A blind child is often seen as a curse or a burden to the family, leading to abandonment. I’ve picked up children from roadsides myself. I too lost my sight as a child, but today I’m a senior officer thanks to the National Association for the Blind, Delhi (NAB). What would I have done without their help?” asks Veena Mehta Verma, a beneficiary turned advocate for NAB and its mission to protect and care for blind children like herself.The state of young blind girls abandoned by their families and without education is even worse. “Blind girls have no future without education. Education is crucial to their future. Without it, they face neglect and limited opportunities, ignored not just by their families, but by society at large. What I am today is only because of the education I received. But sadly, every blind girl is not as fortunate. Most visually impaired girls are deprived of any care and even something as basic as education, leading to a difficult life,” says Asha Bhola, President, Blind Welfare Society (BWS).Both NAB and BWS work for the welfare of blind children and young girls by providing them with shelter, education, and care. This Diwali, they need your support to help many more youngsters in need.Donate easily through UPI, all debit/credit cards and net banking. Charitable donations to this fundraising campaign are tax-exempt under 80G of the Income Tax Act (India).A life of uncertainty &amp; sufferingEven if a blind child or young girl is not abandoned, they are often trapped in their homes deprived of education or any way of making a living. “For a blind kid, employment is impossible without education. They need to learn Braille or use ‘talking computer’ aids. Many of these children are deprived of such facilities,” says Veena.Young kids and girls for whom NAB and BWS have cared for are today placed in some of the most prestigious organisations across the world. While some have gone on to make a name for themselves in the corporate world, others have taken up art and music as a profession too.But many blind children who are bright, academically gifted, and waiting to shine, are often neglected or abandoned by their own families. And with your donation, NAB and BWS can give them the future they deserve.As we celebrate the festival of lights, donate to this fundraiser on Give.do, India’s largest and most trusted online donation platform, to help blind children and young girls get shelter, education and care and a shot at a bright future.

This Diwali, help to brighten the lives of abandoned blind kids and young girls by giving them shelter and education

“A blind child is seen as a curse or as a burden to the family. These children are left on the street. I have picked up children from roadsides myself. I also lost my eyesight as a child but today I am a senior officer in a public sector company. What would I have done, had I not been taken care of?” asks Veena Mehta Verma who was once a beneficiary of National Association for the Blind, Delhi (NAB) and now works with the NGO to protect and care for blind children like herself.<img src="https://cfstatic.give.do/1c273b6d-eee3-4799-98aa-74efcde92177.webp" />Today, hundreds of blind children supported by NAB, Delhi have found something that they never had before–hope for a better tomorrow. Without Veena and NAB, many of these children would be at the risk of going back to the streets or spend a life of neglect and even abuse. Your support to the NGO is crucial. Donate generouslyDonate easily through UPI, all debit/credit cards and net banking. Charitable donations to this fundraising campaign are tax exempted under 80G of the Income Tax Act (India).A life of uncertainty &amp; sufferingEven if a blind child is not abandoned they are often trapped in their homes deprived of education or any way of making a living. According to the nonprofit leader, “For a blind kid, employment is impossible without education. The (blind) kids need to learn Braille or they need ‘talking computer’ aids. Many of these kids are deprived of such facilities”.  <img src="https://cfstatic.give.do/7bfa3cb2-b09d-4518-862f-a0bbf653cbe8.webp" />Illuminating young lives “At NAB Delhi there are around 200-250 blind kids. There are around 180 kids in the hostel of NAB. We teach Braille, we teach arithmetic Taylor frames. To work towards a brighter future for the blind, we need your support. Please come forward and donate towards our mission”, says Veena. Students for whom NAB Delhi has cared for are today placed in some of the most prestigious organisations across the world. While some have gone on to make a name for themselves in the corporate world, others have taken up art and music as a profession too. Many blind children are bright, academically gifted, and waiting to shine, all they need is an opportunity. And your donation can give them just that.Donate to this fundraiser on Give.do, India’s largest and most trusted online donation platform, to help the blind children get shelter, education, care and a shot at a future full of opportunities.

This Children's Day, visually impaired Veena, loving mother to 180 blind kids, needs your support in caring for them

This is a sample description for Differently Abled. For the purpose of testing I will use the word Differently AbledDifferently AbledDifferently AbledDifferently Abled.

Differently Abled

This is a sample description for Livelihood. For the purpose of testing I will use the word LivelihoodLivelihoodLivelihoodLivelihood.

Livelihood

Mitti Café is a chain of cafes that provides experiential training and employment to adults with physical and intellectual disability.The organisation’s outreach initiatives helps create awareness about inclusion and disability rights. Mitti Cafés across India are managed by hundreds of adults with disability who have have in the last few years served over 6 million meals and beverages-thereby creating awareness about inclusion with every meal served.They have 16 cafes within institutions like Wipro,Infosys,Accenture,Wells Fargo,ANZ Bank,IQVIA and now Cytecare Hospital to name a few.Their warriors with disabilities in this pandemic have cooked and served over 2 million meals to the poor and vulnerable communities and homeless groups,thereby proving the magic of abilities as a result of economic independence and dignity .In the short span Mitti has been featured in the Forbes list of 30 under 30 ,is a Commonwealth Youth Awardee and has won awards like the NCPEDP Mindtree Hellen Keller Award ,Times of India-She Unlimited Award ,Rotary Exemplar award ,Microsoft Nipman Award, Tiecon Young female Entrepreneur of the Year Award,amongst others.

Donations through Give Foundation, registered under section 80G of India's Income Tax Act, 1961 are tax-deductible.

Alina Alam

Mitti Social Initiatives Foundation

This nonprofit is registered as a charitable trust under section 12A of India's Income Tax Act, 1961.

This nonprofit is registered under section 80G of India's Income Tax Act, 1961. This means you can deduct 50% of the donation you made through your tax return.

Raghav Menon

An enormous thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Your funds have been critical in helping us see through our dream of feeding and caring for the abandoned elderly. Because of your selfless actions, Mitti Cafe could distribute over 30,000 meals and over 900 ration kits. Your support has gone a long way in making the world a better place. Check out some more images below to see the impact of your generosity. With their food situation taken care of, these poor souls have more funds to spend on their health, education, and general well-being. It is in our hands to help those who cannot help themselves. Do your part. Donate now.

Impact report

Field Update: Mitti Cafe's Karuna Meals InitiativeVisit Dates: 16th and 17th March 2024Visit Staff: Anmol Singh, stakeholder delight team During a recent visit to the Sunderban region, the effectiveness and reach of the Karuna Meals initiative, led by Mitti Social Initiatives Foundation, were observed firsthand. Over two days, our team witnessed the distribution process, engaged with beneficiaries, and discussed the operational and financial aspects of the program. Day One: Distribution in Action The visit started in North 24 Parganas, where Ayesha Alam guided us through a ration distribution event for 60 beneficiaries. This experience provided insight into the logistics of the program and the immediate impact of the support provided. Direct interactions with the elderly beneficiaries later in the day offered a deeper understanding of how Mitti's efforts have been life-changing for many. Day Two: Behind the Scenes The second day was spent at Mitti's office, focusing on the initiative's structure and financial management. Discussions with Ayesha Alam and the finance team revealed a thoughtful beneficiary selection process, ensuring aid reaches those most in need. The program, which started during the COVID-19 pandemic, has since supported 5,000 individuals through cooked meals and ration kits, with plans to expand further. Financial Management and Transparency The organization employs Tally for daily financial record-keeping, complemented by external audits to ensure transparency. With a significant portion of funds allocated to the Karuna Meals initiative, financial stewardship is a priority for Mitti Cafe. Beneficiary Feedback Conversations with beneficiaries, including elderly individuals like Sabitri Das and Swarnamayi Das, confirmed the positive impact of the program. The gratitude expressed by these individuals underscored the initiative's success in addressing hunger and malnutrition. Support Needed The Karuna Meals initiative is a critical lifeline for many in the Sunderban region, but the need for assistance continues to grow. Contributions can help Mitti Cafe reach more elderly individuals in need, ensuring no one is left hungry or malnourished. Donate now to change the world for the better!

Visit update

When you donate a Karuna Meal, you're not just providing a one-time meal to abandoned and vulnerable elderly individuals; you're igniting a ripple of change! 💫✨ ✨ What makes it so special? A percentage of your generous contribution goes directly to the people with disabilities who prepare and serve these heartwarming meals. 🙌❤️ Along with feeding the hungry, your contribution empowers individuals with disabilities to achieve economic independence, dignity, and hope. 🍽️🌞 Donate now and make a lasting impact!!

Regular Update

🙏 A heartfelt thank you to our incredible donors! 🌟 Your contributions have been a lifeline. At Rs.30 per meal, we've already served 51,911 nutritious Karuna meals to elderly people abandoned by their own children and families in the streets of Kolkata. 🍲 But our mission is far from over. We implore you to stand by us, continue your support, and help us fight hunger and starvation, with the goal of reaching out to lakhs of grandparents in need.&nbsp;🤝

Thank you update

Create change with NGOs on Give.do! Explore 3,000+ NGOs dedicated to causes like human rights, animal welfare and healthcare. Your contribution matters!

Find the best NGOs in India on Give.do and Donate to Fundraisers

NGOs Listing page

There are an estimated 21 million persons with disabilities in India, of whom only about 0.1% are employed currently in industries. The International Labour Organization's 2011 report on Persons with Disability (PWD) states that 73.6% of disabled in India are still outside the labour force. Currently, available evidence shows that lack of employment opportunities along with a gap in employability due to inadequate skilling opportunities is a significant problem, which causes concern among working-age adults with disability. Of these, women with disabilities are the most vulnerable, having to battle biases due to gender norms, societal restrictions, unequal pay, safety issues that in turn affect their chances of seeking employment or getting employed.According to the 2011 World Report on Disability by the World Health Organisation/World Bank, there are an estimated 1 billion persons with disabilities worldwide. The same report states that 1 in 5 of the world’s poorest people have disabilities. Disability is both a cause and consequence of poverty, yet international policymakers and stakeholders have not historically recognized or prioritized this issue within international development efforts. 
 MITTI Cafe, as a part of its livelihood development initiative for the economic independence and dignity of persons with disability, aims at providing training, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for adults with intellectual, physical and multiple disability through the creation of training cafes within institutional spaces. Majority of the candidates with disabilities trained or employed by Mitti come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, who have either dropped out of, or never attended school. 
 MITTI helps in bridging the significant gaps that differently-abled individuals face towards transitioning into an environment that provides them with a gainful livelihood opportunity along with dignity and self-worth. These Cafes are unique as they are designed as platforms for the differently-abled communities to showcase their potential for productive activity and to create awareness for the cause of equal opportunities in employment. By engaging persons with disability, we believe that they would act as agents of change by example and thereby promote a system of self-sustenance and wellness through our unique livelihood development initiative, at the same time enable the promotion of disability inclusion within work spaces.

Mitti Cafe

Support Mitti Cafe’s team of disabled heroes end hunger and malnutrition for thousands. Donate now

This Diwali, help to brighten the lives of abandoned blind kids and young girls by giving them shelter and education

This Children's Day, visually impaired Veena, loving mother to 180 blind kids, needs your support in caring for them

Disclaimer