A Foundation That Beautifies Life
Gunastana Mary, a Compassionate Soul
Generally, this world runs on love. 'All burdens are worthy of praise,' said the American cartoonist Walt Kelly, beautifully describing the responsibility people take on for others.
Just as the Tamil poet Avvaiyar said, 'Poverty is harsh in youth, and loneliness is harsh in old age,' so too do the disabled, abandoned, and elderly who are neglected by their families in their youth, have a beautiful life of their own.
"If we lend only love, it will come back to us with many times the interest. As long as the poor and abandoned exist in this world, my work of love will never cease."
Although many non-profit organizations, trusts, and foundations are involved in making their lives more beautiful, one woman from Cuddalore, inspired by the memory of her brother and her disabled sister, is running a beautiful foundation for the disabled, special children, and the elderly in this society.
In the village of Iruppukurichi, near Vriddhachalam in Cuddalore district, this woman is caring for the disabled, special children, orphans, and the elderly under the name of St. Joseph's Physical Development Foundation.
Gunastana Mary, a native of Iruppukurichi village, is reaching out to those in more than 10 surrounding villages who feel they have no one for them.
In her own words, Gunastana Mary says, "My parents, Amuldas and Varaprasadam, are daily wage laborers. My brother, Antony Raj, died in a road accident. My sister, Monisha, is disabled. I underwent training to handle special children at Holy Cross College in Trichy, after which I completed my bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology.
Our foundation, which was started in memory of my brother and for my sister, has been serving the community for many years. The house we live in is our foundation. It's where all the training for special children is provided.
We offer small services to the special children, orphans, disabled, and elderly in our surrounding areas. We visit their homes, bring the disabled children to our foundation, and provide them with some training. Some special children who couldn't walk properly are now starting to walk. Many children who couldn't speak have also started to speak. It makes me very happy to see this. The villagers in the surrounding areas talk to me as if I were their own child.
If we lend only love, it will come back to us with many times the interest. As long as the poor and abandoned exist in this world, my work of love will never cease. To continue this, your support is needed," she says.
People say that God stands by those who have lost their way. We need more people like Gunastana Mary, who helps countless children and others who are living with the help of others, and those who have lost their way.
Our Mission
To provide compassionate care, training, and support to the abandoned and special needs children, disabled, and elderly, fostering an environment of love and dignity.
Our Vision
A society where every abandoned child, special needs individual, and elder feels loved and valued, and is empowered to lead a life of purpose and dignity.