saikripa

It all began in the town of Bellary in Karnataka where Anjina lived as a 10 year old. Every week, she would see groups of children beating drums and carrying notebooks, walking down the streets, knocking at every door, collecting donations for the orphanage they lived in. Coming from a happy and well-to-do family herself, Anjina would feel sorry for them. Then one day her family moved from Bellary and she soon forgot about these children. Years later, in 1976, the family moved to Delhi in order to get over a personal tragedy and she took up a job. Then in 1983 she moved to NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh. She was deeply disturbed by the sight of children being exploited all around her and also by the reports in newspapers and magazines about exploitation of children. Images of Bellary came back to mind, which was how the dream was born …… A dream of providing a home for these children, where they would not only get shelter, clothing, food and education but also feel as secure and confident as their more privileged peers.

Another decade passed before she could turn her dream into reality due to her responsibilities towards her family. In 1988, she decided to start working towards her goal but had no idea how to go about it. A chance meeting with an old friend directed her to PRADAN, a voluntary organisation, for guidance. PRADAN offered her a fellowship of three months to enable her to visit various homes all over India and make an in depth study of the aspects involved in such projects. One such home where she spent twenty days is the Antar Bharati Balgram at Lonavla, near Mumbai. By this time she was able to identify friends who were willing to help her. By March 1989 they succeeded in getting their society, SAIKRIPA, registered.

Today SAIKRIPA is one large family intertwined with a golden thread of love and faith. This golden thread has not only woven the hearts of children but also the hearts of hundreds of people young and old alike.

The journey is long and unending but the bond of love and support of like minded people encourages us to move ahead boldly on this arduous path of child welfare. It is very obvious that with your help and support nothing is going to be impossible.