Karunya Bhavan is an organization founded in 2005 as one man’s act of kindness. Today, it’s a neighbourhood’s vision and mission for the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned and abandoned children. Its administration is carried out by the Bethel Karunya Educational and Charitable Trust, which comprises mainly of people from the nearby vicinity. Karunya Bhaven is currently home to 65 girls and 67 boys, housed separately at Mulanthuruthy and Aarakkunnnam respectively.
Our Wipro Cares group reached the girls’ home at Mulanthuruthy around 3pm. We listened with heavy hearts as Johnson, a Trust member unfolded the chronicle of Karunya Bhaven. This home was started by a single person, motivated to shelter children abandoned or rejected by their families. He was so kind-hearted that he could not turn away even a single child who sought refuge at his humble premises. But, as the number of children under his care multiplied, so did the bills and debts. The home’s premises were shifted thrice before a charitable trust leased out the present abode. It was here that the Bethel Karunya Trust was formed to take charge of the organization, led by Father Geevarghese.
The girls’ home houses children of ages 3 to 15. All children of school-going age attend school. The home supports their education only till 10th standard, after which they have to hope for generous sponsors. We were taken around to see their rooms and found, to our dismay, 3 rooms, with little furniture, where the girls study, have food and sleep on the floor. Nutritious food and clean water are a scarcity, making the girls vulnerable to illnesses. Basic amenities have been bought on credit and are utilized sparingly. At times, if a kind-hearted soul agrees to sponsor a meal, the children are fortunate to have a hearty meal. The Trust has tried to improve the living conditions by constructing an upper floor with bathrooms. But, due to lack of funds, the work has been discontinued.
We spent around 2 hours with the girls, chatting with them and encouraging them to display their talents. Little Riny’s creative genius, evident from her craft work, was undeniable. The girls were delighted to entertain us with song and dance. It was a truly memorable time. As we prepared to take leave, the girls surrounded us, held our hands and drew promises from us to visit them again. We left the home, our hearts touched by their affection and Johnson’s words resounding in our thoughts, “What counts isn’t the financial help that’s extended, but the heart that takes time to care.”
The Team from Wipro Cares:
- Aneesh Chandran
- Merin Jacob
- Preetha Abraham
- Rinu Kurien
- Smrithi Gopala
