A competent approach

Four months ago A. Arivukkarasu and his wife A. Muthumari beat two other NGOs to run the Shelter for Urban Homeless at Tirupparankundram. “It is a dream come true,” says Arivukkarasu. “We feel honoured that we got this opportunity,” says Muthumari.

People dream of jobs and careers that will earn them more money. But this couple is constantly chasing the dream of nourishing the hearts and souls of other people. Not that they are financially secure but they do not mind taking little risks with big hopes.

There are 30 permanent and five floating people between 37 and 80 years of age, including one challenged lady, at the Corporation-sponsored Home. “Each of them came to us with a different story and we embraced them as family,” says Muthumari.

Her father ran an electrical shop and ensured that she studied well. A Masters in Social Work earned her a job with a human rights organisation in Madurai where each day was a lesson in learning. “Daily, I met people suffering due to various social ills and seeking justice,” says A. Muthumari. She decided to quit her job and be in the service of others.

If growing up poor sucked him, it also taught him to be compassionate and help others. Born to farm workers as the oldest of eight siblings, not only did polio cripple A. Arivukkarasu but poverty and a serious accident worsened his struggle. Yet, he never gave up hope. “My huge appetite for change for the better helped me fight loneliness and isolation,” says the class X pass Arivukkarasu. “I think it is important to have big dreams,” he adds.

And his dream was to deliver help and care with dignity to the elderly, poor women and challenged children. “I know from experience that all these three sections are dreadfully vulnerable. I always wondered how to start a project but never thought about not being able to succeed,” he says.

To many it was a mismatched alliance but Muthumari’s father saw the earnestness in Arivukkarasu to do something. And when his daughter agreed to accept a man who was not only less qualified than her but also physically challenged, Arivukkarasu knew she was his soul mate interested in making a real difference in the life of others.

And so began the story of CHELDS – Child & Challenged Educational Ladies Development Society -- a decade ago with a three-pronged action plan. To attend to the senior citizens, provide for education of poor and challenged children and establish Self Help Groups with rural and semi-urban woman and provide them with skill set training.

“When you seriously and sincerely want to serve the community, you will be surprised to see how eager people are to pitch in,” says Muthumari, reminding that no act is too small to count.

Fast-forward to today. Technically, the couple and their NGO is not flushed with funds but they are rich with experience of fixing small things right and telling those who hit rock bottom that someone out there cares enough to do something.

The list of their activities and the recognition of their services and awards is long and that is why perhaps it was easy for their NGO to get selected for maintaining the shelter for urban homeless. But it is not easy to meet the requirements with Corporation funds alone (Rs.1000 per month per resident is sanctioned). But Arivukkarasu and Muthumari dream of making it a model home for others to follow.

When donations dry up, they dig into their pockets, sacrifice their time running around for arranging things and always with a smile make sure that happiness happens.

Through their NGO, CHELDS, they have also set up 450 SHGs of 12 members each so far who are imparted training in different vocational skills from tailoring and basket weaving to beautician and candle and agarbatti making courses.

In Villapuram school for special children, they provide clothes, fee, food, study material to all the students studying there.

“The opportunities for mentally and physically challenged students are few and I want to help as many as I can,” says Arivukkarasu.

“If you put all of your effort, heart, and focus into doing something that you love, anything, really is possible,” adds Muthumari.

Obviously both see the world differently. They are content to live with less and find success in helping others. “Changing even one life,” they say, “is worthwhile.”