Began in 2010, it’s a shelter for orphans, children of sex workers, abandoned elders and destitutes. They shelter people from the streets on the verge of dying and provide them with proper medical treatment and care. As it was our very first visit to this place we were shown a video describing the work carried out at Immanuel Mercy Home. After a brief discussion with Pastor Sinu Mathew who is the Founder and president of this Ashram, we visited the ladies wing followed by the gents wing in that vicinity. We were overwhelmed with compassion on our visit to this place.

A bunch of enthusiastic volunteers from Mumbai Office visited the Home for the Aged on 18th Jan 2019. Our dear Elders were eagerly waiting for our arrival in order to begin their favourite game ‘Housie’. Sr. Agnes warmly greeted us & was equally delighted to see us. When we entered the seating area, a firm & warm handshake of the excited uncle who volunteers to sell handmade flowers doubled our enthusiasm of visiting that day. As Lionel started calling out numbers during the game, we saw their excitement rising up which gladdened our hearts.

On 18th Dec, Capt. Deepak, Ms. Mithra, Mr. Rolph, Ms. Beena, Ms. Sharon and Ms. Seema visited Janvi Charitable Trust for celebrating Christmas with children at our school Anavi- Janvi Kindergarten school.

They were greeted with enthusiasm and enjoyed the nursery rhymes recited by KG and primary students of Janvi. The kids were excited to see Santa Claus (Rolf) and receive gifts from him.

It was a pleasure to see happy faces that brightened our day.

It was a happy day for Capt. Correa, Allena and me (Athira) as we visited Jyothis Care Centre at Taloja. As promised to Sr Jisna and Sr Dinetia in our last visit, Anavi team had arranged for a manual Sewing Machine for the ladies. We also provided bedsheets and pillow covers to them.

We distributed their favourite snack – vada pav and lassi packs.

We were greeted by warm and happy faces. Our dear ladies relished their favourite snack and later displaying their immense happiness and gratitude by singing and dancing for us.

We left the centre with utmost contentment and a happy heart.

On Thursday 04th October, few members of Anavi team visited The Home for the Aged, Mahakali.

It was an humbling experience gratitude to receive the blessings from our elders. The entire place was decorated with bright colored balloons which looked lively.The Anavi team sang Hindi retro songs along with them which made them enjoy & smile. It was followed by cake cutting & distribution of healthy snacks. They were very happy on our visit.

We met a batch ( Nursery) of 21 tots who were excited to see us and had their happy faces on. We also met the enthusiastic teachers and discussed their curriculum and various activities such as the music/tabla classes designed for the overall development of the kids. The kids were in their clean uniform , neat and tidy.

These kids belong to very low income group. We witnessed the wonderful artistic talents of the children in their vividly coloured drawings of ‘The Bal Ganesha’. Prizes were given to 1st and 2nd best colouring.

Venezia and I visited Jyothis Care Centre at Taloja on Wednesday, 13th June. We were welcomed very warmly by the Sisters and the inmates, who were eagerly expecting us. The care centre is located in a 1 acre land and is neatly maintained.

Sr. Jisna told us that there are 23 inmates currently, most of them mentally challenged. They are under medication and are calm most of the time, but they do get a bit unsettled at times. Medicines are regularly provided by volunteers.

Care a little, share a little. Anavi initiative, blood donation camp was conducted in the Anglo Eastern Office. 40 staff contributed to the cause.

Fatmashray, Mahakali : Happiness is the highest form of health. Taking the initiative to spread the Happiness to the Fatimashray girls, Anavi team along with our colleague dressed up as circus clown visits the home. The kids had a fun time and their laughter and smiles on their faces made up for the Happiness.

Celebrating festivals with elderly people is in itself a blessing. On the auspicious occasion of Christmas, Anavi team visited The Little Sisters of the Poor, a home for the Elderly. We were able to spread the joy of Christmas through signing Christmas Carols with the Elders, birthday celebration and gifting the home with crockery for the Elderly.