Old-age home residents give kids free education

The Anandam Trust’s old-age home in the city doubles up as a free education centre for kids from underprivileged backgrounds in the vicinity. 

Bhageerathy Ramamurthy, Founder Trustee of Anandam, says it was Parvati or Aachi amma as she is fondly known, a trained former teacher, who floated the idea of the initiative. “Aachi amma expressed a desire to coach young and deserving children, as a means of giving back to the society. She and all the other inmates strongly believe that every child irrespective of where he or she comes from deserves a right to education. So, we didn’t think twice before starting the endeavour,” explains Bhageerathy, a former bank employee, who was also named the Best Social Worker by the Department of Social Service and Noon Meals Scheme of Tamil Nadu in 2012. 

Having started with just about seven kids in late 2009, the residents now teach over 150 kids every evening. While the primary school children are coached by 10 residents of the home who have either been professional teachers or simply have a passion to teach, the Trust has employed teachers from outside for the secondary school children. 

“The progress we see in these kids is extremely rewarding. When a child who used to fail in most subjects manages to get about 70 per cent to 90 per cent, the sense of love, satisfaction and achievement that we experience is very special. Academics apart, the students have also developed a close bond with the residents who treat them like their own grandchildren,” adds Bhageerathy. 

Apart from a maximum aid of Rs 5,000 for every student, additional financial assistance is extended to students who wish to pursue higher studies. “We also ensure that they are given nutritious snacks and drinks before their classes,” adds one of the trustees K Narayanan. The public-aided home runs mainly on donations which they receive on occasions like donor’s birthdays, wedding ceremonies and other special occasions. 

Educating these children is not the only service to society the residents here believe in offering. During the December floods of 2015, the residents cooked, packed and distributed 1,500 food packets, every day for a period of 12 days, to help the flood-affected. Honouring their efforts, the senior citizens were given the Real Heroes 2016 Award by Adding Smiles Media Ltd.