Providing a home and care to the elderly destitute in Chennai, India

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.