Who are we ?
The Welfare Society for Destitute Children (known locally as St Catherines), is located on Mt. Mary Road, Bandra West, Mumbai. We are a non-profit organisation that has been helping destitute and underprivileged children for more than sixty years. We aim to provide a happy and safe place for the children in our care and empower them through education and rehabilitation-based projects.
The Welfare Society for Destitute Children was started with the objective to educate destitute children irrespective of caste, creed and community. The various projects we are running, along with our school and orphanage, help to save children from child labour exploitation, abuse and early marriage, thereby changing the lives of many disadvantaged young people and their families. This is to be achieved by providing them with free basic school education, healthy home atmosphere, guiding these children towards understanding the need for healthy living and secure a place for them among the rest of the society.
The society is managed under the guidance of Reverend Father Anthony Elenjimittam who's a well-read intellectual and has written more than 45 books promoting "universal brotherhood."
Our society motto - "Atmano Mokshartham, Jagat hitayachha." - For the freedom of the Soul and Welfare of Mankind.
The motto encourages us in working towards promoting "Universal Brotherhood" and creating wellness in physical-mental-spiritual areas for all children under its care in school and orphanage.
Since our inception in 1957, we have grown by leaps and bounds. Today we have orphanages / shelters that house increasing number of children each year. We also administer a recognised primary school, this is apart from providing counseling programs for children and street parents of children. This year we have more than 500 students being educated. All our activities are based on Practical Gandhian Principles of Basic Education. The society undertakes education and molding of orphans, street children, semi-orphans and children in extreme difficulty.
We operate in 2 locations Bandra & Murbad
Our Founder's Thought's
There in Mumbai (in St Catherine of Siena) you will have a bigger family on whom you can lavish your love and service. As long as we are pilgrims on this planet, God appears to us in so many forms, even as destitute children, whom I began to serve from the year 1957. In fact, it is not that we who serve God, but God is serving Himself through us. We are the hands and feet of the Lord "
History
- Journey began in 1957 7th November, 1957
Reverend Anthony Elenjimittam (1915-2011) began educating illiterate destitute children under the tree-shade of Mrs. Stella Curzai's compound in St. John Baptista Road which later named it as St. Catherine of Siena School.
- Registered under The Society Registration Act 11th February 1960
The social apostolate under the trees got registered as the society "The Welfare Society for Destitute Children" under The Society Registration Act, 1860.
- Registration under Bombay Public Trust Act 31st March 1960
The Trust "Welfare Society for Destitute Children" got registration under the Bombay Public Trust Act 1950.
- Foundation Laid 15th June 1961
Shri Sri Prakasha, Governor of Maharashtra laid the foundation stone for Aquinas Hall for Destitute children.
- Blessed and Aided the Social Apostolate. 30th June 1962
H H Pope John XXIII Blessed and Aided the Social Apostolate.
- Blessed the Foundation Cross 10th May 1962
Fr. Mario Borrelli Blessed the Foundation Cross
- Aquinas Hall inaugurated 21st March 1965
The Aquinas Hall inaugurated by Shri V.P. Naik, Chief Minister of Maharashtra in the presence of Bishop Pereira and the Minister P.G Kher.
- Laid foundation stone for Sadhana Halls 7th March 1969
Bishop Longinus Pereira laid the foundation stone for Sadhana Halls
- Sadhana Hall building inaugurated 30th April 1970
The Sadhana Hall building inaugurated by Sheero Wadia in the presence of Bishop Longinus Pereira