Mar Gregorios Rehabilitation Centre in Trivandrum, India
Where?
This relief organisation for physically and mentally disabled persons is situated on the outskirts of Trivandrum, the capital of the Indian federal state of Kerala.
Mar Gregorios Rehabilitation Centre
Moonnammoodu
Munnammoodu - Kodunganoor - P.O. Vattiyoorkavu
Trivandrum - 695013 Kerala - South India
Who?
The institution is supported by the incorporated charitable society Mar Gregorios Rehabilitation Centre (MGRC), an organisation of the Syrian Orthodox church. The active members consist, on the one hand, of a group of voluntary retirees and, on the other hand, of staff members temporarily providing this service for a small salary. In India this kind of welfare work is held in high esteem.
Purpose of the institution
The MGRC cares for disabled persons living below the poverty line in a rural region inhabited by approximately 200,000 people. The disabled people have lost arms or legs due to accidents, have suffered from polio, or they are visually or audially impaired, etc. They get help in coping with the authorities; they get transport for their treatment at hospital and at the doctor's (there were 1800 transports of disabled people in 2005); the latter get assistance in the first use of their artificial limbs; spectacles and pharmaceuticals are purchased; and MGRC also allocates minor jobs through which needy people can augment their family income.
Current call for donations
Disabled young people, too, need a good education!
In the villages under their charge, the field workers of Mar Gregorios have located a total of 150 children and young people who either suffer from all kinds of disabilities themselves or whose parents, due to severe handicaps of their own, have no means available for their children’s education.
The picture above shows Vandana, who is in the 12th class, with her parents, who are not able to finance her education. Vandana, a brilliant schoolgirl, was born with only one leg and is helped by the Mar Gregorios centre.
To meet the individual requirements (each of which is carefully evaluated) for books, school uniforms, school fees etc. for these children and young people, contributions are needed:
School books, exercise books etc.: 2327 CHF
School uniforms, equipment: 1799 CHF
School fees, tuition: 4784 CHF
Accommodation in the hostel: 569 CHF
Fares: 682 CHF
The total amount is 383 514 Indian Rs = 10 161 CHF. The individual benefits depend on the stage of study, and vary from 45 CHF (1st to 10th class) to 230 CHF (qualified vocational training as nurse, computer specialist and comparable occupations).
