A Beautiful Experience: Visit to Widow's Nursing Home and Wonderful Charitable Work of Anna Etter and Her Crew
I am here in Thiruvanamalai, Tamil Nadu staying near the ashram of Ramana Maharishi. I had the good fortune to meet Anna Etter from Germany who has started a program to help widows from the village areas.
In the poor areas of India, widows both young and old can be treated badly. Elderly widows who can no longer contribute to the family through work are often cast out to beg and fend for themselves even if sick and infirm. The younger widows often have to resort to prostitution to support themselves and their children. A young widow in the smaller villages cannot remarry and they are shunned in general as being unfortunate and bad luck.
I visited Anna's home for the elderly widows who have been brought off the streets and cared for. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the project or to learn more CLICK HERE
For the younger widows and their children, Anna and her crew's efforts have started training outreach programs. Young widows in various villages are taught to make household items, how to weave cloth, and create purses, dolls, jewelry and other great handicrafts. The items are for sale near the Ramana Ashram in a beautiful store full of light and love.
If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the project or to know more CLICK HERE
In the poor areas of India, widows both young and old can be treated badly. Elderly widows who can no longer contribute to the family through work are often cast out to beg and fend for themselves even if sick and infirm. The younger widows often have to resort to prostitution to support themselves and their children. A young widow in the smaller villages cannot remarry and they are shunned in general as being unfortunate and bad luck.
I visited Anna's home for the elderly widows who have been brought off the streets and cared for. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the project or to learn more CLICK HERE
Here is Anna the beloved founder who raises donations and gives her own personal love and support to each widow. She is clearly adored from my observations.
The ladies range in age from late 60's to 90's. They have a clean and pleasant home with activities and 24 hour care.
There are two buildings for housing and a kitchen and garden. The more mobile women go for walks each day and help with the day to day chores.
Radha shows her artwork. The ladies have time each day to color and create mandalas. They each have their portfolio and love to show their work.
This elderly widow was just brought in from the streets a few weeks ago and is still recovering from her ordeals. Anna's group is in touch with social workers and police who call when they find a widow in distress on the streets.
I was a little shy at first but one by one the ladies called me over to hug me, stroke my face and many to laugh at my hair! We got on splendidly. This gal is around 95 and as tiny as a bird but lively and loving.
For the younger widows and their children, Anna and her crew's efforts have started training outreach programs. Young widows in various villages are taught to make household items, how to weave cloth, and create purses, dolls, jewelry and other great handicrafts. The items are for sale near the Ramana Ashram in a beautiful store full of light and love.
If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the project or to know more CLICK HERE
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