Located in Mumbai India, Ma Niketan Thane takes care of abandoned girls, who are from the slums in India where poverty and lack of education and sanitation are more of a rule than an exception.
Many parents are forced by lack of education and poverty to let go of their children, especially the girl child, at a very tender age. There are children who, for years, have been staying in railway platforms.
These girls find a home at Ma Niketan Thane. Under the care of the Sisters from the Society of the Helpers of Mary, Ma Niketan Thane caters to the needs of these abandoned girls. To date, Ma Niketan Thane houses 350 girls, from ages 3 to 21, provides them with basic needs, and sends them to school.
This is Mother Anna Huberta Roggendorf, the founder of Ma Niketan Thane. This orphanage has been around for over 4 decades.
This was the church where Pres and I attended the Sunday mass, some 15 minutes’ walk from the orphanage
These fine ladies took us to the church for the Sunday mass.
Pres and I are extremely fortunate to have come to know and meet Sister Indumati (her name translates to “moon” – such a beautiful Hindi name!) in person. She is one strong-willed woman; her words extremely empowering. She is a true inspiration.
All the best to you, Sister Indumati and the rest of the Sisters at Ma Niketan Thane. May you continue to make our girls’ lives beautiful!
Sister Indumati is next to me and Pres, with another Sister who gave us a tour of the orphanage
With the charming young ladies of Ma Niketan Thane
Pres and I came at such a bad timing! Our girls were studying for their final exams! Thankfully, Sr Indumati let us spend the day with these lovely young ladies!
Such a lovely lovely smile!
Inside Usha Kiran, the room where we found our young ladies studying for their exams. The girls told us that Usha Kiran translates to “morning sunlight.”
I was telling the girls that we know quite a few people from India – SRK, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, and Amitabh Bachchan!
These girls were studying at some corner next to their cottage
This is the cottage where the younger girls are staying. Sister Indumati explained that one Sister is assigned a cottage to manage and is responsible for the girls under her care. Total of 5 or 6 cottages for all our girls.
With one of the Sisters and Pooja – she wants to study Arts and Literature! Pooja has been under Ma Niketan Thane’s care since she’s 5.
These lovely ladies are sooooooo pretty – as if they all came out of a Bollywood film! All three are in college, pursuing Arts and Commerce. The two ladies by my side are twins!
With the twin sisters 🙂
With the ladies who manage the kitchen at Ma Niketan Thane. Thank you for fixing us our coffee! Been years since the last time we had fresh cow’s milk!
With Sister Indumati and another Sister and a few young ladies who came from their classes. Photo was taken right outside the convent.
With some of the locals who went to visit Ma Niketan Thane in the morning. The ladies were donning colourful sarees and kurtis!
Thank you so very much, Sister Indumati for gifting me with this beautiful kurti!
With our ultra nice tuk-tuk driver! Thank you very much for driving us around Thane!
We printed 350 canvas pouches as gifts for our girls and the Sisters from Ma Niketan Thane
With our friend Prasad and his wonderful family. Thank you for welcoming us into your lovely home and also for introducing Ma Niketan Thane to us!
Blessed to have spent a day with the Sisters and our girls at Ma Niketan Thane. God bless all of you! We will see you again very soon!
“Anyone who ever wondered how much they could love a child who did not spring from their own loins, know this: it is the same. The feeling of love is so profound, it’s incredible and surprising.” ― Nia Vardalos
L❤️ VE makes life beautiful! 