Medical Camp
In March 2022 at Catherine Hope Foundation, we conducted a medical camp at our Ennore Center for the children, their families and our beneficiaries. Read on to learn how this CHF medical camp happened successfully… in spite of all the challenges! Read More
On 5th March 2022, at Catherine Hope Foundation, we conducted a medical camp at our Ennore Center. Dr. Kingsly and Dr. Jasmine held this camp for the children of our Center, their families and our beneficiaries. We faced many challenges as there was a power cut in Ennore that day. We hired generators, but they were ineffective. Our staff worked with emergency lights. We held our medical camp on our terrace, which proved to be more pleasant and convenient for the doctors and the people. All our Center children, their families and our beneficiaries from Ernavur came to get themselves checked. The doctors did a basic health checkup of blood sugar levels and blood pressure, and offered medical consultation. Many women came for gynaecology consultations and were amazed by the doctor's diagnosis and knowledge. Overall, a very fruitful day and a milestone for CHF.
Flood Relief
In November 2021, Chennai was shaken by floods. People lost their homes, belongings and were not able to even have a proper meal. This sudden downpour impacted differently-abled people the most. They sought shelter in nearby schools after police evacuation. In this distraught situation, CHF distributed groceries & dry rations to those affected. Read More
In November 2021, Chennai experienced severe rainfall that affected people in unimaginable ways. Many homes were waterlogged due to the heavy deluge. Water entered people’s houses and ruined all their belongings. Daily wage earners suffered immensely as they were not able to go to work due to this sudden flood. Most individuals were unable to meet their basic needs or even have a proper meal. The police evacuated them, and they stayed in the nearby schools until the situation was stabilised. The condition worsened over time, becoming a serious threat to daily wage labourers, differently-abled people and others.
In light of this situation, we distributed groceries and dry rations to the people affected by the floods in Ennore and Ernavur. Daily wage employees, who were unable to access their places of employment and thus earn their livelihood, were delighted by our initiative. We also distributed groceries to the differently-abled people who were in despair due to this sudden calamity. Many of our children and their families from CHC, who were affected by the flood, were also greatly benefitted by this relief program.
All the beneficiaries were overjoyed and grateful that, during a time when they could not leave their homes to work or feed their families, our timely help had brought food to their tables.
Widows Welfare Program
In February 2021 at Catherine Hope Foundation, we conducted a welfare program for widows around Ennore and Ernavur. Nine elderly widows attended the program at our Center. Read along to know about their life stories and journeys! Read More
In the first week of February 2021, at Catherine Hope Foundation, we conducted our Widows Welfare Program for some of the widows around Ennore and Ernavur. Nine elderly widows attended the program at our Center. We had a wonderful day of interaction, where each of them spoke about their life and shared their stories with us, which moved us and all the others.
We spoke about CHF and Catherine, and we wanted to hear about their experiences as well. After their spouses passed away, the majority of them were abandoned by their children. Even in their old age, they run small businesses and look after themselves.Some are flower vendors, while others create small delicacies like murukku and sweets and sell them to make a livelihood. Some women rely on charity to survive. They are all abandoned by their families.
Logu, 85 years old, earns her living by selling flowers on the streets. She doesn't always get paid, even if it's a small amount. In her old age, she has no one to look after her.
Rukmani, 82 years old, lost her husband four years ago. She is living with her son, a differently-abled person. Despite all these tough times, she is living her life with great faith in God and also praying for others.
Selvi, 51 years old, is a widow abandoned by her own son. She used to work as a housemaid but now, due to covid, she lost all her jobs and doesn’t have any means of income.
Towards the end of the session, we all had chicken biryani, and we gave them a month’s worth of groceries, and a new saree and a steel vessel each. It was a memorable day for everyone at CHF.
Rukmani, 82 years old, lost her husband four years ago. She is living with her son, a differently-abled person. Despite all these tough times, she is living her life with great faith in God and also praying for others.
Selvi, 51 years old, is a widow abandoned by her own son. She used to work as a housemaid but now, due to covid, she lost all her jobs and doesn’t have any means of income.
Towards the end of the session, we all had chicken biryani, and we gave them a month’s worth of groceries, and a new saree and a steel vessel each. It was a memorable day for everyone at CHF.
Anti-Depression Program
Anti-Depression Rally
Catherine Hope Foundation conducted a rally in Chennai to raise awareness about depression and the importance of mental health. We shared this journey with many differently-abled beneficiaries from Perambur who joined us for the rally. Explore the highlights and read along! Read More
Catherine Hope Foundation conducted a rally in Chennai to raise awareness about depression and the importance of mental health. We shared this journey with many differently-abled beneficiaries from Perambur who joined us for the rally. Explore the highlights and read along! Read More
On 19th October 2021 - Catherine’s 19th birthday - Catherine Hope Foundation conducted a rally in Chennai raising awareness about depression and the importance of mental health. We hired a 24-seater bus to take kids around for the rally. We were extremely happy to share this journey with many differently-abled beneficiaries from Perambur who joined us for the rally.
We started by showing a documentary to the kids on Catherine's life. It was about her journey, right from birth, her achievements, her battle with cancer, and all the struggles she went through. Following that, we conducted a session discussing the causes and effects of depression and how to overcome it.
Towards the end of the rally, the children were taken for dinner at the Nungambakkam McDonald's party hall. They were super excited and awestruck to see the restaurant, as this was the first time they visited a McDonald's. They also went around exploring the venue and speaking to customers.
The McDonald's employees were kind enough to even show them around the kitchen. The CHF team and kids then cut a cake to celebrate Catherine’s birthday. All these amazing experiences fascinated the children and made their day memorable, as well as ours.
A Jolly Evening for the Differently-abled
23rd October 2021: CHF conducted a ‘Jolly Evening’ for the differently-abled in Kandukur, Andhra Pradesh. Almost 40 differently-abled people joined. Highlights include the talent show, folk songs and memorable speeches. Read along to revisit the event! Read More
On 23rd October 2021, CHF conducted a ‘Jolly Evening’ for the differently-abled in Kandukur, Andhra Pradesh. Almost 40 differently-abled people and their caretakers attended the event. It was inaugurated by Kandukur Town President, Mr. S.K. Rafi. This was followed by a wonderful talent show by the beneficiaries. They enthusiastically rendered some folk songs and gave memorable speeches on our freedom struggle. The top three performances of the day were awarded cash prizes of Rs. 3000, 2000 and 1000 each. It was indeed very moving to witness the talents displayed in the event.
Madhu, one of our beneficiaries who lost both of his hands due to an electric shock while working as an electrician, was also present. After listening to his story, we began approaching companies that make prosthetic hands and Madhu finally received a perfect pair in September 2021. We met Madhu after a month and he shared his story with the people. We could hardly hold back our tears, watching Madhu confidently holding the mike with his prosthetic hands. The people were encouraged to hear from Madhu that he was now able to do all his activities by himself. This was one of the stories which stands as a witness to show how a small help can tremendously change a person’s life.
Acts That Matter 2021