Charities Supported by the OWC
Shishyu Bhavan, Royapuram: A home run by The Missionaries of Charity, which helps severely physically and mentally challenged children. Members visit for play therapy once a week and we support them with monthly provisions and Christmas gifts.
Nirmal Hriday, Ennore: Another home run by the Missionaries of Charity for 120 destitute, mostly mentally challenged or dying women. We provide them with monthly provisions and regular visits, as well as Christmas gifts.
Cheshire Homes, Thiruvanmiyur: A resident home for 80 severe physically and mentally challenged children and adults. This was one of the first homes supported by the OWC. We continue to provide monthly provisions and act as an outlet for their handicrafts which include fabric, knit and beaded bags, cell phone pouches, key chains, coin purses and children’s dresses. The home is also supported with a Christmas party.
Andhra Mahila Sabha, Adyar: A school for mentally challenged children. Supported by our members at Christmas and on special occasions.
St. George’s Cathedral Home, Peters Road: A Home for the aged (about 20 women); OWC gives monthly donations and our members bring cakes to celebrate the resident’s birthdays. Support is also given to the crèche behind the home and the children are given clothing, and Christmas gifts.
Friends in Need, Poonamallee High Road: Another home for the aged; we organize a Christmas celebration for the residents.
Home of Hope, Maduravoyal: A home for approximately 130 poor children (some from parents with leprosy). We organize a Christmas party for the children.
Jeevodaya, Manali: A hospice for the terminally ill, housing approx. 35 patients. We give quarterly donations towards medical costs with regular visits.
The Little Sister of the Poor, Harrington Road: A convent facility for 200 aged men and women. Our members collect materials for craft projects, clothing, or domestic items for resale. Supported by a Christmas tea with entertainment from children of St. George’s Creche.
Other organizations on our list
The Guild of Service: One of the oldest social welfare organizations in the city. We support them with donations for the educational needs of the Mary Clubwalla School and the Family Support Services.
Institute of Mental Health, Kilpauk: We pay for pest control for the ladies’ wings.
CanStop, Govt. Children’s Cancer Hospital: CanStop receives a donation for their Christmas party, as well as on their annual cancer awareness Rose Day.
Past Projects have included:
- Introducing rainwater-harvesting schemes and addressing the issue of Hepatitis B by providing screening and immunization programs to over 600 children
- Providing anti-retro viral drugs to HIV affected children, as well as ongoing support and outings for these children
- Initiating intervention to help several children receive needed correctional surgery, which enabled them to be put-up for adoption
When the devastating tsunami hit the coast of Tamil Nadu in December 2005, the OWC and its members were also at the forefront with donations, both in-kind and with boats for fishermen who lost everything. In addition, we recently contributed towards a tsunami house for a single mother with a mentally challenged daughter.