Little Drops
Chennai, India
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Seen as a burden to family or simply left alone, these elderly men and woman are discarded on the side of the road. Stepped on or over, they’re left hungry and sick as animals nibble their flesh. Little Drops rescues them, offering permanent housing, food, 24-hour medical care, and respect for their remaining years.
For your support, you will receive an embossed donation certificate along with vital details about the
cause. It’s a gift of giving, and a special opportunity to spread love and hope to those who need it most.
Overview
Founded in 1991 in a remote, poor and obscure
village on the outskirts of Chennai, it began when two childhood
friends, Mr. E. J. Paul and Mr. C. Selvaraj Bovas chose to leave their
successful business careers to care for the elderly destitute found on
the streets, abandoned to live their lives in poverty with no family,
care, home or hope. They chose to give them dignity in their life as
well as in their death by providing a home and complete care for the
rest of their days.
With its name taken from a Mother Teresa quote, "We
ourselves feel that what we are doing is only a drop in the ocean, but,
if that drop was not in the ocean would not the ocean be less by that
missing drop?", today Little Drops provides shelter, basic living needs, and medical care to over 200 elderly people.
Need
Little Drops was operating well over capacity. Many
of the elderly, while sick with various ailments, were lying in cots
outside in over 115 degree heat. Lack of water was a great problem, and
with no legal or suitable burial ground, in the dark hours of the night
the staff had to dig up existing graves in order to provide the proper
burial so important after death. With the lack of space, it was not
possible to provide separate facilities for the terminally ill with
contagious diseases from those in stable health. In a two-level
building, many of the residents could not climb stairs and so were
confined to the upstairs level once placed there.
The Project
In 2005 Wellspring funded the purchase of
approximately five acres of land. Beautiful and lush, it provided a
private water well system, space for a one level facility and burial
ground, and as an added gift, was filled with mango and various fruit
trees to provide an additional source of both nourishment and income.
Construction commenced soon after, and in 2007 we were joined by over
thirty friends from Canada and the United States to attend the
dedication ceremony of the property. Complete with separate facilities
based on medical care required, a clinic and full-time doctor,
bathrooms, and intercom system, over 200 elderly people have a new
suitable home.
In addition, Wellspring has provided the facility
with a water purification system and in 2009 will be funding the
purchase of a generator and fencing for the grounds, as well as
contribuing to annual running costs.
View Photos from this project.