The Birth Centenary of Mr. P. C. George, the founder of Mundakapadam Mandirams was on 6th May 2001. On this day, Mandirams Society started an Institution to give shelter for the forlorn girls who are otherwise unassisted in the blooming years of their life. Thus, the Balika Mandiram was started with a 2-year-old girl child. By May 2002, the number increased to six and admissions continues till date. The current strength of girls in Balika Mandiram is 7. Year 2018 onwards, Balika Mandiram complies with the Juvenile Justice Act and new admissions are through Juvenile Justice Board. However, we do not accept any fund from government. The needs of our children are met by many sponsors inside and outside India.
Balika Mandiram is situated in the 2nd floor of a building complex with library, recreation room, dining room, study rooms and bedrooms. Balika Mandiram has a designated mother and a matron who live with the kids to take care of their needs. In addition, we have a resident warden and a superintendent. We also have a counsellor to seek help whenever needed. The Mandirams Society Secretary is the prime authority of Balika Mandiram. Staff and volunteers of Balika Mandiram follow the common motto of Mandirams Society – “We live by Faith “. We have faith in eternal providence who never forgets the sparrows of the fields and lilies in the ponds.
Our faith enables us to take care of the children from a very tender stage. We had two infants in our care from when they were barely 3 days old. The youngest one in our care now is 10 years old.
Two of our children are married and settled with kids. Both of them are working in Mandiram Hospital as nurses. We have another kid working in Mandiram Hospital after completing her BSc. Nursing. She was the topper in her nursing school and planning to pursue MSc. Nursing. We have high hopes on her. Two of our daughters are studying in Leyamma Memorial School of Nursing. They are staying in Nursing School Hostel. Seven children from Balika Mandiram have reunited with their parents or relatives.
Our seven daughters who are currently staying in Balika Mandiram go to reputed schools in Kottayam. They are enrolled in classes between 3rd to 11th standards. Our children are very good to average in their studies. Their marks ranges from 50% to 97%. One of them has received PCM Scholarship in the academic year 2018-19. The children are helped in their studies by qualified volunteers. Girls also participate in many indoor and outdoor games such as shuttle badminton, cycling etc.
Every second Saturday, they learn to conduct programmes and organise meetings which help them to augment their talents, leadership and skills. Mandirams Society also help them to grow spiritually.
Girls are talented in many ways. According to the kids’ tastes and talents, during the annual vacation, special classes for painting, playing musical instruments, tailoring, singing etc are arranged. We are happy that they have won prizes for drawing, painting and music competitions in their school and Sunday school. They are entrusted with the designing of the cover page of Xmas Cards for Mandirams.
Every year the children and staff of Balika Mandiram go for a tour and it is a memorable time for them. Kids are hardworking and loving. They maintain a good relationship with the elders who stay in Agathi Mandiram and Senior Citizen Homes. We are happy that our children live in complete harmony despite having different background and mindset.
Rainier Maria Rilke a known poet of the 20th century said, “Look into yourself”. It is when you stop in the middle of the mad rush of life and look deep inside that you will find beauty in the ordinary things in the world. Such beauty lies in the ordinary tasks at Balika Mandiram that fulfil the needs of the daughters of Mundakapadam Mandirams Society. Many such fulfilments enable the kids entrusted in our care to stand successful in the career and life. And, perhaps inspire one to do extraordinary acts of love.
Prof. Dr. Alice K. Thomas
Superintendent, Balika Mandiram