Maitri's Blog

Be a #hero to girls like Pallavi who can't afford#QualityEducation. Your contribution can help#Maitri continue to educate #children in three impoverished communities in Delhi. #Donate now because #education for girls like Pallavi can't wait:https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/after-school-programme-for-underserved-children/

Mala, 54, is one of the #widow mothers cared for in#MaitriGhar. “My husband was alcoholic and abusive. He worked as a Rickshaw Puller and barely managed to provide for the family. After his death due to cancer, I had to work very hard to raise my three daughters.” Once her daughters were all married, Mala felt very #lonely. “In our culture, we don’t live or depend on daughter’s family. I could nolonger work as much as I used to. Then I decided to visit #Vrindavan for spiritual #peace and then I got lost here. I ran out of my money. I was in streets when #Maitri came to my #rescue.” For last one year Mala in care of Maitri Ghar. “In Maitri Ghar, for the first time in my life I feel so restful and happy”, she says. To support widow mothers like Mala, donate here:https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/old-age-home-for-abandoned-elderly-women-in-india/

"It reminded us about being mindful of our ‪#‎environment‬ and keeping it# clean", said one of the youths.

She lives in a family of 6 members. Her father is a barber and mother works as a domestic maid. When she started the ‪#‎training‬ at Maitrigram, she was so thrilled to learn new ‪#‎skills‬ and being able to create a shirt or a blouse. "After I complete the course, I hope to buy a machine and work from home." she says. Maitri gives girls like Sabnoor ‪#‎opportunity‬ to express their‪#‎creativity‬ and reach their full ‪#‎potential‬.

Alka, aged 55, was #abused and #abandoned by her husband after he couldn't provide for her. Lonely and#desperate she went to live with her oldest son and his wife. However, she never felt welcomed and loved by them. She tried to appease them but to no avail. Finally, she left their home and chose to live uncertain life in Vrindavan along with thousands of#widows who come here to devote rest of their lives to Krishna. Thanks to #supporters like you, about one and half year ago, Alka found a #home in #MaitriGhar. She now enjoys a clean and spacious room, her own bed, almirah to keep her belongings and large and airy living room. Here she lives with #dignity,#respect and #peace of mind. Help us #sustain this#project and #provide destitute widows and#elderlywomen: #Charity #nonprofit #Delhi #Vrindavan  https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/old-age-home-for-abandoned-elderly-women-in-india/

#Widows like Kamla being taken care and looked after in Maitri Ghar have #regained their #dignity and#joy. You have truly made the difference! Continue to #change their lives for #better: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/old-age-home-for-abandoned-elderly-women-in-india/ #NGO #Charity #smile #makeadifference #elderly#aged #care

Vaidehi, 16, is multitalented young girl who has been an inspiration to other students in Maitrigram -#AfterSchoolProgramme. She loves painting, sports and is very studious. She joined Maitrigram when she was in class six. At that time she was very weak in Maths. "In class, half of the time I was distracted because of the chit-chat of other girls and there was never enough time left in the Maths Period to ask questions. So, I never fully understood." In Maitrigram she got full attention of her teacher and gradually improved in Maths. She did so well in class 8 that she received #Maitrigram Scholarship. "Earlier, I would skip most of the questions during Maths test and hardly be able to solve two or three questions but now I solve most of the questions and leave out just one or two", says Vaidehi thrilled about her accomplishment. "Now, my classmates come to me if they need help with maths." Today, she is in class 10. We are so proud of her! Vaidehi is one of the #underservedchildrenMaitrigram provides supplementary #education to boosts the quality of education these children get. We believe every child has right to#qualityeducation and YOU make our vision come true. Join hands with us in changing lives of young children: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/after-school-programme-for-underserved-children/

Renu's world shattered about forty years ago when her husband passed away. She lost a friend and a constant companion. Her children went on to live their own lives leaving her behind in poverty. Renu did her best to live with #dignity. She sewed clothes to earn her livelihood. But then age began to catch up and it became difficult to work the sewing machine. Having no other choice, she came to#Vrindavan seeking refuge in the city of temples. Though she felt spiritually fulfilled, she struggled for food and lodging. About a year ago she was welcomed to Maitri's#OldAgeHome. Here she is #provided with a clean and comfortable home with hot running water, ceiling fan, refrigerator and a common kitchen. Above all, she has caretakers and friends in #MaitriGhar. Thank you to our donors and supporters for#changing her life! Make a widow's life better all year long! To donate visit: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/old-age-home-for-abandoned-elderly-women-in-india/

Meet nine-year-old Rakhi, a student of class four who lives in Soniya Vihar #SlumCommunity in Delhi. She has improved in studies because of Maitri's#AfterSchoolProgram. #children studying in Government #schools do not get the attention as well as quality of education is compromised because of teacher student ratio hence are not upto the standard in #academics. Maitri is here to change that for children enrolled in our After School Program. To help us sustain our project, support us:https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/after-school-programme-for-underserved-children/

Meet Bhadmani, an elderly #widow living in#Vrindavan. She is a beneficiary of Maitri and comes to #MaitriGhar for meals and enjoys all benefits of clothing and other essentials. #ChangeLives of widows like her all year long by giving monthly! Your gift and #charity will provide widows with meals, fruits, clothing and healthcare. Visit: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/old-age-home-for-abandoned-elderly-women-in-india/

Here is a list of 10 great advices from an 80 year old. As the curtain is lifted off on 2016, let's be reminded of these great #LifeLessons to make our#lifeJourney a beautiful one. Tell us which one rings the bell for you  :)  Source: Pat Divily.

Shweta lives with her parents in Soniya Vihar#slumcommunity of Delhi. Thanks to her parents who understand the importance of #education and send Shweta to school. However, they can only afford to send her to Government run school which sometimes lacks variety of opportunities for children's wholesome development. Shweta is in class four and is very active girl. Maitrigram#tuitioncentre helps her with homework, recreational activities, and exposure trips. Recently, Shweta participated in a one day session on#LifeSkills where children learnt values and#socialskills etc. through play. Shweta had lots of fun and learning as well. Maitri works to provide#opportunities to underserved children in three slum communities. It is our desire to see girls like Shweta have equal opportunity to #growth and#development.

If we are humble enough to acknowledge, almost always we will find someone who has backed us up & given us the #support we so desperately needed. Without their #helpinghand, we wouldn't be the same person. On the first day of the #NewYear, we want to recognize all our #supporters, dedicated#volunteers, inspiring #interns, and committed staff who make #Maitri a wonderful #family. And we can't forget our beneficiaries, the #widow mothers, rickshaw pullers, undeserved women, youth and#children who have #touched our lives more than we have touched theirs. Take a moment and think about the person who has been there for you in 2015. Tag them in the comment and say few words to recognize their help and support. #grateful #Thankyou #Friends #Family#pillarofstrength #loveandsupport #Charity#Touchinglives

We are grateful to the generous souls who supported and sustained our Widow's Project through year 2015. With your help, we have improved their lives and made their hearts a lot happier.

Twelve-year-old Swarn has been studying in#Maitrigram, Maitri's #AfterSchoolProgram for last seven years. She is now studying in class eight. She has been a diligent student and has earned Maitri #Scholarship twice, in class 3 and class 6. Thanks to all our supporters who have enabled girls like Swarn to stay in school. Donate to Maitrigram: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/after-school-programme-for-underserved-children/

No matter how small is your contribution, it will go a long way in improving lives of destitute and abandoned widows of Vrindavan. To make a gift follow the link below.

"This is the first time I learnt about good touch, bad touch or accidental touch", said Vedika. "My mom did speak to me briefly about menstruation but in this class I learnt more about how our body is made and how I can care for myself during those days", said Swarn. In a half day session, 20 young #adolescentgirlsfrom Maitrigram were made aware on issues faced by teen girls. In India girls commonly face eve-tease,#sexualharassment, #inappropriatetouch, and stalking. To make #girlsSafe, it is very important to start talking to them early on. It makes them aware about the problems and gives them confidence to talk about it instead of blaming themselves or suffering from guilt. Maitri is committed to #educate and #empoweryoung girls. Maitri has joined #HerVoice campaign to give India back #HerVoice. Show your support:http://www.globalgiving.co.uk/projects/prevention-of-domestic-violence-in-india/