A place of refuge for kids in distress 28 Years On, Child Fund Association Helps The Underprivileged To Stand On Their Feet

A place of refuge for kids in distress

28 Years On, Child Fund Association Helps The Underprivileged To Stand On Their Feet

Yamini Nair | TNN

Agroup of women in 1982 decided to make a difference to society. The welfare of underprivileged children was their area of concern and Child Fund Association, a home for orphaned and destitute children, was their brainchild.

Children from extremely poor families with a single or a disabled parent are provided with food, clothing, medical care and education to enable them to stand on their feet.

Over 700 children have passed through the organization since its conception. “Children are brought by the social welfare board, nuns, social workers, police and through other contacts. Some were found begging on the roads, some have parents who are alcoholics or in jail,” says septuagenarian Mary Isaac, founderpresident of the association.

“Many of them had undergone traumatic experiences when they were young. However, all have shown visible improvement within a few months after they came to CFA,” she adds.

The children have never let down the hearts which care for them. Today, four boys from CFA have finished their diploma in engineering, of whom one is well settled now. Two girls finished their primary school teacher’s training course and are employed.

P Prakash, who was with CFA for nine years, is now running a tailoring shop in Ulsoor and is settled with his wife and onemonth-old child. “The values I got from CFA helped me reach here,” he says with gratitude.

Shobha B S, who has been with the association for six years, is now doing her BE in Computer Science. “We feel at home at CFA. They provide us with everything. They encourage extra-curricular activities, which includes craft work and painting,” she pointed out.

“It is so rewarding and satisfying to see them successful,” says Vidya Niranjan, treasurer of CFA. “We send them to schools from Class I. They are encouraged to study as far as they can,” she adds.

“We give them private coaching. Most of the graduates are employed in the garment industry, or as independent tailors, carpenters or drivers,” says Mary Isaac.

A child in distress is the product of a family in distress, believes CFA, hence it helps families also. It provides monetary help to families of children in their care, during times of crisis. “Some of the single parents are encouraged to take care of their child and we help them by providing school fees, books, uniforms and clothes,” adds Mary.

“We also treat children for malnutrition. After recovery, most of them return to their families after special counselling and guidance,” she adds. CFA also collects used clothing, warm clothes, blankets and distributes them among the poor, cancer and leprosy patients and other destitute homes.

The association depends entirely on donations from the public, local clubs and many corporates and educational institutions. “We depend on donations in cash and kind. So far Bangaloreans have been kind,” says Mary Isaac.

CHILD FUND ASSOCIATION

Address: 34, 6-C Main Road, 4th Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore-560011 Phone: 080-26548176

Children from extremely poor families with a single or a disabled parent are provided with food, clothing, medical care and education that will enable them to stand on their own feet