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

“We received a distress call saying that a blind girl is being held captive by a woman and is being forced to beg. Our volunteers were able to rescue that girl and bring her to the Blind Welfare Society home for girls. We cared for her and educated her. Today that girl is a senior government official”, says Asha Bhola, President, Blind Welfare Society (BWS) as she recalls how her organisation has been able to transform lives.BWS has been a ray of hope for 40 such blind girls, many of whom have been abandoned by their families owing to their visual impairment. Sadly, the care, shelter and education for blind girls come at a cost, and BWS is unable to keep its work going. Your donations can help shine the light of education upon 40 blind girls and change their lives forever. Donate now.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). Neglect, Abandonment and StigmaIn various parts of the country, a blind girl is often seen as a curse and a burden for no fault of theirs. According to the nonprofit office bearer, “Many parents neglect their blind daughters and at times even sell them off for begging, etc. Even if the girl is from a well-to-do family, they feel providing education and care to a blind girl is a waste of money”. “What is the fault of an innocent child?”, she asks.Education, the only hope “These girls have no future without education. If they don’t receive education, they will remain uncared for. They will continue to be ignored by not just their families but even by society at large. Whatever 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 thus leading to a life of darkness”, Asha adds. You can be the light in the lives of these 40 blind girls who have not seen anything but darkness. Help support their education and be a catalyst for change in their lives. Donate nowPlease donate to this fundraiser by Give, India’s largest and most trusted online donation platform, to help women facing domestic violence break the endless cycle of abuse and give them safe shelter.

Help to brighten the lives of abandoned blind girls by giving them shelter and education

“The major problem in society today is the stigma against mentally ill or mentally disabled people. Families feed and care for men who are mentally ill and keep them at home. But no one wants to help women with mental illnesses,” says N Vanitha Rengaraj, chairperson of Sharanalayam.Sharanalaym’s ‘Jothi’ is a sanctuary for over 100 women facing mental challenges. Women with mental illness facing various challenges on the streets are brought to Sharanalayam with the help of the authorities and cared for. <img src="https://cfstatic.give.do/88597e5c-903c-4c84-8cf5-34ba9d96defd.webp" />Donate easily through UPI, all debit/credit cards and net banking. Donations to this fundraiser are tax exempted under 80G of the Income Tax Act (India).The women at Sharanalaym Jothi are provided with necessities like food, clothing and medical care. They also get mental health services, access to psychiatrists and counseling, empowering individuals on their path to recovery.Once lost and vulnerable on unfamiliar streets, the women at Sharanalaym Jothi find solace.By supporting mentally disabled women at Sharanalaym Jothi, you contribute to creating a better world. We can ensure these women receive the care and support they deserve.Over the years, Vanitha has tried her best to run Sharanalayam from her own resources and that of her well-wishers, but the last few years have been harsh. “I normally don’t extend my hand for people to donate. Many have come on their own. But life has become a bit difficult now. I need your support to take care of the women here and also bring more women here in need of help,” says Vanitha.<img src="https://cfstatic.give.do/e5b9bb35-4261-4187-a4cc-d89ac34d66cc.webp" /> How Sharanalayam came into beingThe NGO started its operations in 2001 from rented premises in Pollachi in the district of Coimbatore. It started with taking care of children in difficult conditions. It slowly started taking care of mentally challenged women. Sharanalayam has come a long way since that time, with hundreds of children and women being taken care of by the NGO in the last two decades. Many women were rehabilitated by the NGO, thanks to its facilities.Sharanalayam needs urgent support to take care of over 100 women. The organisation also aspires to take care of many more mentally ill women in the coming months and years. Vanitha cannot do it without your support. <img src="https://cfstatic.give.do/37ef7f6a-11d8-4a6c-b176-41dd5b51c21f.webp" />Donate to this fundraiser on Give.do, India’s largest and most trusted online donation platform, to help abandoned mentally ill women get care and shelter. Vanitha, 70, the founder of Sharanalayam cannot do it alone.Donate now.

Help 70-year-old Vanitha provide 100+ abandoned mentally ill women with shelter and care

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

Help to brighten the lives of abandoned blind girls by giving them shelter and education

Help 70-year-old Vanitha provide 100+ abandoned mentally ill women with shelter and care

Disclaimer