"My son used to kick me when he was in my womb. Why make an issue when he kicked me in my old age?" reasons a very forgiving Shakti Dasi. The widow travelled 2300 kms from Tripura to Vrindavan after her only son violently beat her with a burning plank of wood and broke her knee one evening. She had to leave behind the business she had built with her husband who had died a few years back. Shakti ended up on the streets of Brindavan begging for food and shelter. But when Winnie Singh of Maitri saw Shakti in a frail state in tattered clothes, she brought her to the shelter home where Shakti gets food, care and medicines. What more, with Maitri’s intervention, Shakti reconciled with her son - and daughter-in-law, and now travels home to Tripura twice a year to spend time with her grandchildren. But she is not leaving Maitri, as this has become her family.Not every elderly widow who comes to Vrindavan after being abandoned by her family gets as lucky as Shakti. Many of them often end up living a lonely life and begging to survive on the streets. Maitri aspires to take care of every widow in need of help.<img src="https://cfstatic.give.do/ce101369-528c-4d37-bc1d-1118b9925af3.jpg" />Maitri’s Project Jeevan to the rescueAbandoned, elderly widows are the amongst the most vulnerable in India. After being thrown out of their often abandoned by their own children and are forced to beg for food and shelter. “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.Save homeless elderly widows from begging on the streetsMost 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. Since poor living conditions often cause a wide range of health ailments, including respiratory infections and chronic conditions, Maitri comes to their rescue through its Project Jeevan.The project aims to:<ul><li>Provide meals leading to improved health and wellbeing</li><li>Make physical and mental health services accessible</li><li>Offer necessary quality aged care and assisted living support</li><li>Increase awareness on and engagement around the struggles of abandoned widow mothers</li></ul><img src="https://cfstatic.give.do/1abfb906-563b-4747-85b8-8af2071a2856.jpg" />Project Jeevan needs your support to help those in need of food, healthcare and well-being. Donate now.“Maitri urgently needs your support to provide food, clothing and healthcare to sustain these widow mothers who are prone to more illnesses as they age,” appeals Winnie.Maitri believes in a woman’s right to dignity in life and death, more so a mother. Our help will enable Maitri to save hundreds of abandoned widows from a life of begging, and restore the respect, dignity, and identity they deserve.

Save abandoned, elderly widow mothers of Vrindavan from begging on streets

For a mother who has spent her entire life loving and raising her child, being beaten and mercilessly thrown out onto the streets by her own son is too heartbreaking to overcome. But this is a common story among the elderly residents of the Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram. “I’ve seen mothers in old and torn clothes, their bodies smelling and their hands and feet rotting and covered in maggots,” shares Dr. G.P. Bhagat, founder of the ashram. These abandoned elderly men and women lay starving on the streets hoping for someone to rescue them from their suffering. But most people walk past them without a second glance. “Like this”, Dr. Bhagat explains, “many elders die on the roads.”Since 2003, SHEOWS (Saint Hardyal Educational and Orphans Welfare Society) has rescued over 10,000 elderly people from the streets and given them a home with care and support. The elderly staying at the ashram have all been abandoned by their families and have nowhere else to live. Your support can give them comfort after their abandonment. 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). Safe and loving homeFor 20 years, SHEOWS has been providing free shelter, nutritious food three times a day, clothing, medical care, recreation activities and emotional support to abused and disabled elderly people rescued from the streets of Delhi. The Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram has a dedicated rescue team that saves the elderly from the streets and gives them immediate medical care upon their arrival at the home. To tend to the multiple health complications of the seniors, the home has a medical facility with doctors and nurses, a physiotherapy unit, a pathology lab, a digital X-ray monitoring machine and a pharmacy to provide 24-hour care to older adults anytime they require assistance, even during emergencies. Dr. Bhagat prioritizes the health of the seniors and ensures that they receive three balanced meals a day based on their precise health requirements. Need for the fundraiserThe humanitarian mission of SHEOWS is making an impact in the area, as more and more people are being rescued and brought to Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram. To meet the financial costs of running the home, SHEOWS needs support to continue providing the residents with all the facilities that they need. This includes constant care and round-the-clock medical attention, nutritious food and maintaining a hygienic environment to keep the seniors in comfort and good health. Dr. Bhagat explains that as the number of residents is increasing, SHEOWS needs support for food and medicines. “I request you to help these elderly parents lead a peaceful life.”Donate now to help Dr. Bhagat continue caring for the 500 destitute elderly and giving them shelter, food, medical care and the will to carry on living despite their tragic abandonment by their families. Your support will enable SHEOWS to keep serving abandoned senior citizens and help them recover from the trauma of abandonment and life on the streets. “I have been serving these elderly as if they were my own parents”, shares Dr. Bhagat. “I want only one thing - their tears should vanish and they should have a smile on their faces.” To help Dr. Bhagat achieve this dream, your support is critical. Donate now to help SHEOWS care for more abandoned elderly. Donate to this fundraiser by Give, India’s largest online donation platform, to support SHEOWS in their mission to rescue the abandoned elderly from the streets and give them shelter, food, medical care, recreational activities and emotional support.

This Diwali, help Dr. Bhagat care for 500+ elderly parents rescued from abuse and homelessness

In the dark and dingy alleys of red light areas, injustice, pain and suffering run rampant. And the worst affected are the children who grow up in red-light areas and are subjected to constant abuse and violence. “The sight of a 12-year-old girl being gang-raped by a group of men near a house l haunts me to this date. I was filled with anguish and resolved to do something,” says Girish Kulkarni who has made it his life’s mission to rescue children from red light areas and give them a safe and secure childhood. In the last 3 decades Girish has saved over 1100 girls from a life of abuse in red-light areas, giving them a loving home, education and medical care. He has further supported over 20,000 children with a better life.Sadly, 250 of the children rescued from abuse and exploitation are HIV positive. The high cost of medication has left Girish struggling for funds. Your support can help him provide these children with the care and upbringing they need. 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). A movement to protect vulnerable children“Growing up in Ahmednagar, the experiences I had as a child witnessing the horrors of sex trade defined the path of my life. I had even seen my friend’s 15-year-old sister and 70-year-old grandmother being forced to do sex work for the price of a cup of tea”, recalls Girish. “I started by merely feeding and teaching children of sex workers initially with the intention of giving them some respite from the horrors of life of abuse in red-light areas. Gradually more and more mothers started coming to me and asked me to take their children away, even if it was just for a couple of hours,” he further adds.The work that Girish started in his youth gradually grew to become a movement, with many more joining his cause. His NGO Snehalaya to date has transformed the lives of millions. Girish’s work is crucial for the survival and safety of vulnerable children of sex workers. Snehalaya is almost entirely dependent on donations from the public and your support can strengthen his mission to save children most in need. Donate generously.The horrors of life in red light areas“The cruelty and abuse that children as young as 6 or 7 years of age face is something that I can’t explain in words. Young daughters of sex workers are made to watch their mothers being raped, are brutally assaulted and forced into sex work. No child deserves to grow like this, Girish says in anguish.Sad reality of life for children growing up in red light areas is that they are deprived of even the most basic needs like proper food, safety and education. Moreover, a majority of children rescued by Girish are diagnosed HIV positive. The task of securing medication, providing them quality education and much needed nutrition is one that requires constant support from donors. Moreover, the increase in healthcare cost has left Girish struggling to keep his home for children going. But your support can enable him to give his children a loving environment and save many more who still remain trapped behind closed doors.Donate to this fundraiser by Give, India’s largest and most trusted online donation platform, to help Snehalaya give hundreds of children rescued from red-light areas a life away from violence and abuse.

Help Girish give 250 HIV+ children, rescued from abuse in red-light areas a new life

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

Children

This is a sample description for Elderly Care. For the purpose of testing I will use the word Elderly CareElderly CareElderly Care.

Elderly Care

This is a sample description for Environment For the purpose of testing I will use the word Hunger & HomelessnessHunger & HomelessnessHunger & Homelessness.

Hunger & Homelessness

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

Education

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Disaster Relief

This is a sample description for Women Empowerment. For the purpose of testing I will use the word Women EmpowermentWomen EmpowermentWomen Empowerment.

Women Empowerment

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Livelihood

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Community & Rural Development

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Healthcare

ATMA Foundation is a voluntary organisation based out of Thrissur, Kerala, working for individual empowerment, family welfare and community development. ATMA has 11 projects, 6 major campaigns and regular programmes in areas like child protection, education, empowerment, family welfare, art &amp; culture, digital &amp; financial empowerment and disaster relief &amp; rehabilitation. From 2006 to 2022, through 2000 plus programmes, ATMA has directly benefitted over 3,50,000 families. In the education sector, our empowerment workshops, camps and trainings have impacted over 16000 children, 25000 youth, 59000 adolescents and 9000 teachers. 1600 children with learning difficulties have benefited from our personal mentoring &amp; remedial sessions. The ATMA Gurukulam is a safe home for homeless girls, with focus on their education &amp; development. ATMA’s core strength is a team of dedicated volunteers, including professionals, homemakers &amp; senior citizens, supported by 21 employees in different projects. ATMA’s goodwill &amp; networking with local institutions ensures last mile connectivity.

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

Donations through Give Foundation, Inc. a registered US 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization, are tax-deductible.

Donations through GIVE, a registered charity in UK, are covered under Gift Aid

Parvathy G

ATMA 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.

This nonprofit is registered under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010. This means it can accept donations from foreign nationals.

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There are thousands of children who do not have a safe home or functional parents, and no means for education. Due to lack of care and opportunities during childhood and youth, they are never able to explore their true potential. To provide them safety and security from childhood trauma and abuse is a major focus area. They also need good educational opportunities to break out of the poverty cycle. 
 The ATMA Gurukulam is a home for homeless girls, situated in Thrissur district of Kerala. The ATMA Gurukulam is currently home to 20 girls aged from 9 to 22 years. They attend regular schools &amp; colleges, and are given extra academic support, mentoring support, training in arts and sports, leadership workshops, value education, etc by professionals and trained ATMA volunteers. ATMA Gurukulam is a ‘real home’ with love, care, security and opportunities for holistic development.We are now functioning in leased premises with facilities limited to 20 children. We urgently need land and building, to support more children who are in dire need. The current project is to develop a home with facilities to accommodate 75 girls and 75 boys. 
 The children are already responding well to our care, and are bringing home accolades and achievements in academics, arts and sports. They are also well-appreciated by their teachers and peers for their leadership qualities and their readiness to help out their friends in need.The children, once they complete their education and get good jobs, can break out of the poverty cycle. At ATMA Gurukulam, the vision is to mould them into social contributors, too. We help them to go beyond a career, and transform into leaders in their chosen fields, with commitment to human values and compassion to society.

ATMA Gurukulam Girls' Home

Children residing in Child Care Institutions like orphanages face major difficulties in academics. Due to lack of parental care and poor nutrition in early childhood, their physical and emotional health is usually poor. They suffer from low confidence levels and poor self esteem. They also lack the motivation and the skills for learning. Their ambitions are limited. Also for most such homes, their priority is the safety and other basic needs of their wards. Even though these children attend regular schools, their educational aspirations and achievement motivation remain low. With the schools now remaining closed, the situation is even worse. The children need continuous learning support and achievement motivation. 
 Our present project, ATMA ‘UYARE’, aims to empower the children in CCIs with better education and life skills, through online tutoring &amp; mentoring support. Through this project, we organise regular online sessions on the basics of different subjects- Mathematics, English, Science, Social Studies and Malayalam. Children from Std V to XII attend the sessions. Qualified and skilled volunteer teachers handle the sessions. The project envisions to bridge the  gaps in the academic learning of students in child care institutions. Personalised, interactive sessions with formal and informal follow-ups ensure that the students are given a strong foundational knowledge of subjects.  
 1.     To bridge the learning gaps of children in child care institutions and to build strong foundation 2.     To empower the children with better learning skills, greater interest in learning, and greater confidence and inspire and enable them to pursue higher education with career-focus3.     To develop a culture of learning and personal development in Child Care Institutions

ATMA Uyare

For millions of children, a safe home is a distant dream!Poverty, alcoholism, drug abuse, and a host of other issues in the family make them victims of abuse and neglect. These children need safety, security and a chance at normal life. They need not just food and shelter, but also an encouraging and enriching environment to be their best. 
 The ATMA Gurukulam, started in 2011, is a safe home for children in need. The focus is on their education and overall development. At ATMA Gurukulam, they are given the love and security of a real home, the inspiration to dream, and opportunities to achieve them.We envision their transformation into responsible and responsive leaders in their chosen fields. Apart from regular schooling, the children are given –•	Mentoring by professionals &amp; trained volunteers•	Learning opportunities in arts &amp; sports •	Leadership Training &amp; Value EducationThe ATMA Gurukulam is recognised by the Board of Control for Orphanages and Other Charitable Homes, Kerala (Reg no. 2289). We are now taking up the responsibility to build homes to support at least 150 children, both boys and girls. 
 So far, within the limited infrastructure, we have changed the lives of 29 girls.Our children have responded wonderfully to our care; some by emerging as school toppers and sports champions, some by winning scholarships for art education, and some by securing admissions to respectable professional courses. Each one of them is well appreciated by teachers and peers for their leadership skills and their spontaneity in helping others.Your support will help us create a greater impact.We have the readiness, the know-how and the volunteer resources. What we need is financial support to build the homes, so that more children can be helped.

Building for ATMA Gurukulam Girls' Home 

Torrential rains are wreaking havoc in Kerala, causing floods and landslides, claiming lives, and displacing thousands. The flood-hit regions require urgent relief in the form of drinking water, food, clothes, medicines and emergency supplies. This project aims to mobilise resources for the relief efforts in Thrissur District in coordination with local agencies.Kerala is going through the worst monsoon fury in more than a century. Landslides and floods have claimed lives and destroyed homes. Many regions are isolated and inaccessible. 35 dams have been opened, worsening the flood situation. Many lives have been already lost, and thousands have been displaced. The ground realties are even more grave than projected. All 14 districts are currently under red alert, and more rains are expected in the coming days 
 The people in the worst affected areas urgently require clean drinking water, food, new clothes, and other emergency supplies. The need is very large, and the damages have not yet been fully assessed. The funds raised through this project will be utilized to support relief work in coordination with local agencies in the worst-hit areas. 
 It will take a long time to restore normalcy in the flood hit areas. Providing clean drinking water is expected to be a major challenge for many months to come. Once the emergency situation is overcome, the funds will be utilized for long term reconstruction and rebuilding.