Objective: Extending shelter (institutional care) as a last resort to children in need of care and protection and to assist them to pursue education (formal or non-formal) and life skills to become responsible and successful citizens to the world.
Integrated children's home for girls was started (as a first project) in 2005 with two girls in a rented property but today (2020) it takes care of 23 children in their own building with modern amenities (individual cots with mattresses, dining room with tables and chairs, library with newspapers, books, magazines, cable TV, music system and wi-fi net access). We call it an integrated home because we take care of children of all needs such as physical limitations and cognitive limitations along with so-called normal children. Many of our children do not have parents and are referred by the State of Tamilnadu. We have children ranging from 2 years to 18 years. Except for the very young children, all our children go to schools as per their need.
Children are admitted to this home based on a referral process where someone who knows the need of the child and aware of our services tries to network through an application. Social Worker of the Hope House does a need assessment study and prepares a report with his/ her own recommendation to our Board of Trustees to take a call on the child's admission. Once admission is granted, child's family (if they have one) is counseled about their roles and responsibilities.
We run this home on a pragmatic and rights-based approach where we teach children what their rights (Survival, Development, Participation, and Protection) are and how to protect them from being violated by anyone. We try to follow the standards of childcare (staffing, infrastructure, nutrition and healthcare etc) that are prescribed in Juvenile and Justice Act where we conduct children's meetings, children-family meetings, and management committee meetings etc.
We lay great emphasis on children learning life skills apart from having academic excellence. We take them on picnics, educational tours (we've already been to Hyderabad, New Delhi, Bangalore, Mysore, Coonoor and Ooty so far) and help them to have banking, computer, communication and organizational skills. Children are given freedom and advice to choose the career of their choice. Children are supported by sponsors and mentors.
Our supporters engage with us in various ways. There are people who support us for a single meal and while others support us with rice for six months. There are people who spend their valuable time to expand the horizon of their thinking while others donate money. We cannot do this work without the valuable and generous support of our supporters. Please support this work today by clicking here. Your donation to the Hope House (at above-given link) is entitled to a tax exemption receipt for donors in India (80G), US (501c3) and the UK (Gift Aid) which is given to you instantly via email.