December - Children's Homes in Kerala State

CHIKS was started in 1999 by Sister Mary Matthew, a former nun with Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, and then principal of a Madras home for disabled people. She returned to her native Kerala, bought a two-room stonecutters house near Chalakudy, called it Karunanilayam (Home of Mercy in the local language, Malayalam) and took in six needy children.

Looking to her English friend, Robin Radley, for support, Chiks was founded as a charitable trust.
Over the years, extension of the tiny house, new buildings and purchase of adjacent land mean that now over fifty children can be accommodated, fed, clothed and educated in local schools.

Likewise, two other Homes, these in the mountain regions of Kerala, are dependent on Chiks.  Little Flower Mercy Home was originally a shelter for destitute and mentally-handicapped adults but, subsequently, children were also welcomed. This has necessitated extension and new building projects to comply with local regulations for such homes.

Carmel Matha Santhi Bhavan is a refuge for boys of all ages and support from Chiks has allowed similar extension and developments.

Available local farmland has been purchased near both homes with the object of promoting self-sufficiency. While growing crops like rice paddy, bananas and coconuts is straightforward, cows need cowsheds in that climate and wells may be needed.  More expense!

Recent urgent needs are to complete these projects, repair damage to the electrical system at Carmel Matha due to a freak storm and to continue to meet the daily expenses.  Prices of even the most basic needs of life are continuing to rise and Robin and his team work tirelessly to raise funds to answer the needs.

The children will have had a poor start in life due to poverty, loss of one or both parents, abandonment, alcoholism or neglect.

The joy on the children's faces as they appreciate all these homes provide to improve their lives is hard to describe. They may be from unknown backgrounds - Christian, Moslem, Hindu, Buddhist - but all join in daily praise and prayers to Jesus, giving thanks for their blessings and all the support from Chiks.

Though India may now have a thriving economy, there is a vast gap between the “haves and have-nots” and there are so many who have nothing.  Unless an effective welfare state is introduced and managed, this cannot change.  Sadly, corruption is also rife throughout the country.  Why should children suffer?  Chiks is doing what it can to help.

Robin hopes to visit Highbury again, this time for the morning service on Sunday 7th December.  He will be happy to answer any questions.