The journey so far
It takes a lot of motivation and grit to bid adieu to an accomplished enterprise and embark on a selfless journey of social service. But the choice to give up her successful fashion boutique and start a home for destitute children was something that came naturally for Madhu Tugnait. “It was a dream I had cherished from past 20 years,” says Madhu, who runs a home for 11 differently-abled abandoned kids with severe disabilities called Icha Foundation in Kondakarla village near Anakapalle. Wife of a mariner, Madhu worked for six years as a volunteer in various social organisations before setting up the home for homeless children on a piece of land which she bought after selling her jewellery and property in Pune in 2013.
The highs and lows
“When I am with the kids, it is like a big stress buster. Very small things light up their faces. You play around with them and they have a bright smile. This feeling is something that can’t be equated. It is pure joy,” says Madhu. The home has four caretakers, one special educator and one physiotherapist. The journey so far as been more than satisfying for her, but the challenges remains. “Funding is one of the main challenges. Right now, we rely on funding from friends and family and individuals. I want to reach out to the corporates for CSR funding so I can expand the foundation and assimilate a destitute women home and an old age home. ,” she says .
On being a woman
Women are more grounded than men and have an extra capacity to give. They have so much emotional strength and can multi-task wonderfully well. Today, women are shining in every field and are rebelling the traditional mental conditioning of a gender bias. This is a great change to see, she adds.
Uma Raj, founder, Green Valley FoundationThe journey so far
Some of the best initiatives sprout out of personal experiences. Uma Raj’s dream project ‘Green Valley Foundation’ - a rehabilitation centre for those affected by alcoholism, drug or other chemical dependents – stands as an example. As a teenager, she witnessed the slow degeneration of a friendly neighbour to a chronic alcoholic that ultimately led to his untimely death . “The degeneration didn’t stop with the individual. The entire family of the alcoholic suffered immensely and that episode touched a chord within me,” says Uma, who founded the Green Valley a decade ago. Located in the serene surroundings of the foothills of Kailasagiri, the foundation today supports 15 people suffering from various forms of addictions in the age group of nine to 84 years and there are many college students too who turn to the foundation for help.
The highs and lows
Starting Green Valley Foundation was the beginning of an arduous but exciting journey. Says Uma: “In our society, there is a lot of stigma associated with addiction. To break this mindset is a challenging task. Also, not many people are aware of the difference between use, abuse and addiction.” But the challenges didn’t deter her. “Now when I look back, I can say that I have not only supported the problems of the individuals but have also brought about a positive change in the lives of many children who suffer from uncertainty and an indefinable fear because of an addict parent.”
K. Rajmukhi, founder, C.H.I.L.DOn social service
Not every day you come across people who not only take out time to make a difference but make their passion a way of life.
Moved by the plight of orphan, homeless kids, Rajmukhi was 19 years old when she started C.H.I.L.D, a non-governmental, non-profitable organization, for orphans at Pardesipalem at Mathurawada. Even after much resistance from her family members, Rajmukhi went ahead and took the responsibility of starting the organisation. Today, C.H.I.L.D has 32 orphan children who live like a family. “The journey with the kids has made me stronger and more compassionate as an individual,” she says. For the children, Rajmukhi is a friend, teacher, mother and a guide. “I am a happy mom of 32 kids,” she says. Despite being riddled with several financial and social problems, Rajamukhi continues to live with her extended family and raises funds from like-minded people in the city.
“A women has enormous capacity to spread love. Today I feel happy to see many of my children grow up to live an independent and settled life,” she adds.
