What we do!
Education
Life is not fair to all. Neither is it easy. Some have to fight it out against all odds to make ends meet and to put food on the table. And some are forced to start at a very early age such that they lose out on their formative days which should have been otherwise spent in school learning and exploring. Mother Teresa Foundation addresses this for good and more.
The Foundation works closely with the schools along the coastal line to identify children who come from financially unstable homes. The Trust provides for their tuition fee, school uniform, books and every other essential. What started in 2012 with just a handful of students has now more than 426 students under the Foundation’s care and guidance. The Foundation Volunteers and Social Work trained professionals who work in this belt track their progress in school and give much-needed counselling and direction to the children and also to their guardians. The latter’s needs are also taken care of in terms of health and other aspects so that the young students do not have to miss classes.
HEALTHCARE
Caring for older people presents significant financial and time constraints for families, particularly impacting the education of young children. Unfortunately, in many cases, education is treated as an ‘expense’ rather than an investment in securing the future of these children. The Mother Teresa Foundation Trust, drawing from years of on-the-ground experience, recognises this as a primary factor hindering children’s access to education, particularly in coastal areas.
Addressing this issue head-on, our Primary Health Centre (PHC) is dedicated to providing free healthcare to older people along the coastal belt of Kerala. Established in 2022, our PHC boasts a team of two doctors and six nurses, ensuring round-the-clock functionality. With a fully equipped pharmacy and outpatient services, the PHC serves as a refuge for older adults, offering them the care they deserve. Significantly, it also benefits the children by allowing them more time in school.
Our PHC goes beyond addressing the immediate healthcare needs of the elderly; it catalyses positive change, promotes education, and secures a better future for the younger generation in these coastal communities.
Women Empowerment
“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.”-
Michele Obama
Indeed, the cornerstone of a family lies in its women, a truth magnified in coastal areas where, during the men’s absence on sailing ventures, the family’s income grinds to a halt. In response to this challenge, the Mother Teresa Foundation Trust undertakes initiatives to empower women with practical life skills that are easy to acquire and swiftly mastered, leading to a sustainable income.
Our efforts span diverse skills, from candle-making and stitching to crafting fishing nets and picking pickles. Over 50 women and their families have reaped the benefits of these initiatives, gaining newfound skills and a steady income. Complementing the skills training, MTFT ensures these women have the essential initial funding required to kickstart their ventures, paving the way for financial independence and empowerment.
