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Children of the lesser God...
at St John's Home
The dictionary meaning of orphanage is a residential
institution for the care and education of the homeless.
But for the residents of St John’s, it's much more
than that. Started as a dispensary in the year 1889
and then turned into a maternity hospital, transformed
into a home in 1968, St John's Home today provides
home to all the destitute women and children! From
newly born babies to 90 plus year olds, the home
shelters all. The children at the age of 5 are transferred
to St. Gabriel's hostel and later to St. Micheal's
hostel of the St John Missionary society where they
receive vocational training till they can fend for
themselves. Children of single parents, of divorced
parents and the relinquished seek refuge in the
home. The home relies heavily on the sponsors and
the donors and tries to reform the children’s lives
by giving them away to both Indian as well as German
parents, wanting to adopt them. According to a generally
accepted policy, Indian adoptions are more encouraged
and hence Indian homes are given the first preference.
St. John’s Home is dealing with two foreign agencies,
Tere des Hommes in Germany and the Adoption Centre
in Denmark.
Documents required before adopting a child are:
- Income certificate of both the parents if
both are working. In addition bank savings if
any, property or land papers, etc., to show
the financial position of the family.
- Medical certificate of both the parents i.e.
certificate of physical fitness and mental fitness.
- Character certificate - detailed home study
report conducted by a trained social worker
after interviewing the couple
- Three copies of photographs of both the spouses
On asking the mother-cum-head of the Home, Philomina
Gorelal about the health of the children, she replies
–“St. John's Home is fortunate enough to receive
local donations in cash and kind from benevolent
donors. We take utmost care to give proper nourishment
and bring the children up with sound health and
for this we have a regular pediatrician, a matron,
trained nurses and ayahs. In the case of the old
ladies, many of whom are bedridden, treatment and
medical attention is given almost every two days.”
She further says, “The Home needs your support and
prayers, and would be happy to welcome you anytime
you deem it convenient to visit it.” One visit to
the place brings you very much down-to-earth. Craving
for human touch, the people there when they cling
to you, make you realize that care and affection
are priceless on this God made Earth and we are
fortunate enough to have that in abundance in life
and let's extend it to those who are deprived of
it.
Address: St John’s Home for Women & Children,
808 Guruwar Peth, Pune 411 042
Phone: 447 1736
Mercedes-Benz International
School
Founded in August 1998 by seven members from local
sponsoring organisations as a non-profit trust under
the Indian law, the English-medium Mercedes-Benz
International School is developed from the original
German-medium school started in the year 1995.
With an objective to impart education to the children
of employees of local multinational companies as
well as to the children of discipline-minded Indian
parents, the school has attracted the émigré community
of Pune.
Promotion of social and cultural values being the
key objective and inculcating a love of learning
being the second, the school aspires in establishing
a mutual understanding and respect between India
and foreign countries. By following a broad international
curriculum the school thereby kindles intellectual
awareness amongst its students.
Effective teachers, an encouraging environment and
the underlying aim of the school to prepare the
students both Indian and foreign, to stand-up head
high in their adult lives makes the school one of
the best in Pune. |
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