A mission to provide shelter, support to homeless children (Video)

Many years ago, a Spanish priest roamed the streets of Andheri and was deeply disturbed by the number of children living on the footpaths and railway stations in the neighbourhood. Moved by their plight and determined to help, Father Ricardo Francis founded Snehasadan in 1962 – a home for homeless children.

“The home of Snehsadan started with just five children in Kaju Wadi in Andheri East. Today, we have 12 homes that house 250 children aged six to 18,” says Father Wellington Patil, director and trustee of SnehSadan, who joined the organization in 2021.

Of the 12 houses, seven are for boys and five for girls. These are children who do not have family or parents, while some may have run away from their homes for various reasons.

“Children aged six to 18 are enrolled in schools and participate in extra-curricular activities. Children are taught yoga, educational tours, slacklining, magic shows, football etc.; And they are also taken to camps during Diwali and summer holidays,” says Father Patil.

Father Patil says that according to the law, once children turn 18, they must go to after-care homes. “When they turn 18, they really need help, so we provide that. We encourage them to pursue higher education with emphasis on the ‘Earn and Learn’ programme,” he explains. Through this initiative, young adults from SnehSadan enroll in higher education and are encouraged to find part-time or full-time jobs depending on their academic inclinations.

“It helps them save money for themselves, and we teach them how to invest it so they can become financially independent. Most people leave home around the age of 22 or 23, but if they decide to get married in the future, SnehSadan helps them with that too. The idea behind Snehasadan is to provide a place that these children can always call their own.

What makes these houses really special are the house parents – dedicated married couples who live in 12 houses and take care of the children round the clock. “We never call Snehasadan as a shelter or ashram; We've always called it home. So, even after leaving, these children are always welcome,” says Father Patil.

Dr Fraser Mascarenhas SJ, former principal of St. “Children are the most vulnerable in our society, and providing them shelter and enabling them to build better lives is commendable. Father Patil is well trained in social work, and his new ideas are helping children, especially teenagers,” he says.