What does MTFT 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
Charisma European Education Forum (CEEF)
Completion of schooling is only the prelude; just a first step to what could be a successful journey. Clearing the path for young minds and showing them the light is Charisma European Education Forum (CEEF).
For the not-so-privileged students, CEEF comes in as a ray of hope. CEEF provides them with essential language skills and training as soon as they complete their schooling thus grooming them ready for international jobs. Extensive research shows that the healthcare industry, especially in countries like Germany, is currently a focal point and is anticipated to grow significantly in the future. CEEF seizes this opportunity by training students to excel in Language Aptitude.
Exams like IELTS and similar. Upon qualification, they receive 100% scholarships at top universities, allowing them to pursue their preferred fields such as engineering, management, healthcare etc. CEEF ensures their dreams come true by providing free education and job placement, empowering them to earn for themselves and support their families.
Healthcare
Caring for the elderly 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 the elderly 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 the elderly, offering them the care they deserve. Importantly, it also benefits the children by allowing them more time in school.
In essence, our PHC goes beyond addressing the immediate healthcare needs of the elderly; it becomes a catalyst for positive change, promoting education and securing 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
Certainly, 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 not only easy to acquire but also swiftly mastered, leading to a sustainable income.
Our efforts span a diverse array of skills, ranging from candle making and stitching to crafting fishing nets and producing pickles. Over 50 women and their families have reaped the benefits of these initiatives, gaining not only newfound skills but also a source of steady income. Complementing the skills training, MTFT ensures that these women have the essential initial funding required to kickstart their ventures, paving the way for financial independence and empowerment.