Mamallapuram Orphanages

cameo

Namaste IMers –

I will be arriving in Mamallapuram in a few days and will bring two bags of clothes, toys, etc. which I would like to donate to an orphanage in that area.

I would be open to any suggestions anyone might have as to some place that might accept such a donation. Will appreciate any advice. . .

wonderwomanusa

You can ask at Tina Blue hotel; they are connected to an orphanage in town.

cameo

Thanks wonderwoman -- i'll ask when i get there.

machadinha

Sounds like a good tip. There used to be tribals living in (and presumably outside of) town, in pretty horrible circumstances. If they're still there, could be another destination, or maybe the two are related anyway.

There are some people who support them, so with a little enquiring around (and remembering not everyone will be fond of said tribals), you should be able to get some contact points.

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cameo

Thanks to you too, Machadinha; i'll try to find a local contact. Several years ago I was taken to a very poor and simple orphanage on the main street. Does anyone know anything about this place?

maltabella

hi Cameo,
just be careful in your choice, we were told there are few orphanages whose main aim is collecting donations which are not distributed to children. An old man met in Mamallapuram said that during low season some of these orphanages close, leaving children bagging in the street.. I wonder if it is true or not...

suneh

i visited a small orphanage in main street Mammallapuram. I'm not sure how legit it is. They get the children to push for tourist on the street. The "owner" seemed to me a little, sketchy. Not trustworthy anyway imo. Me and the other girl were also advised by others, to unwrap candies and biscuit. Otherwise the owner would try to sell it back, and earn some money that way.
Also met another orphanage "manager" in the restaurants, from another orphanage. I'm pretty sure he uses the orphanage's money to get pissed...

Just a heads up....
But also have in mind, that these children are neclected in so many ways. They need any help they can get i guess

cameo

Thanks Maltabella and Suneh for your comments -- much appreciated. It is difficult to know how to proceed unless you have an inside track, and I will follow Wonderwoman's suggestion of contacting the folks at Tina Blue; this is my best option so far. I welcome any and all suggestions.

wonderwomanusa

Well, I don't know if the place they talked about is any less corrupt than any other place in India, but I did hear about an orphanage while staying there, and met some English women who flew in with kilos of candy and toys for the children.

machadinha

Yes. My reason to not give more details is some of them one should find about oneself. Which shouldn't be too hard.

That place on the main street might be a lead yes. Anyway, better to give with an open heart than to jealously keep thinking what will happen to it. It's just two bags of leftovers (or possibly new stuff) right. People could do worse.

If you need a pic to support this, check here: http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...19/ppuser/5654

maltabella

Hi Mach,
I was in mamallapuram last november and I met a tribal man with an old carbine who lived with his family in a tent in front of Visnu temple, opposite to Arjuna Penance, maybe he was the same man you talk about.
Referring to donation in general, I prefer to be aware of what I am doing, and I do not feel confortable just giving with an open heart without asking myself what will happen or what kind of people I am supporting.

Rogue Two

Be aware that there is at least one orphanage in Mamallapuram that rents out babies to female beggars. Ask around and choose carefully where to donate.

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machadinha

Yes, I'm sorry if that came out the wrong way. I agree with you; however beyond a certain point & researching what you can, I believe in not holding back just because of endless doubts and what-if's. That's all I meant.

The men with their carbines and their kids and families I ran into (there was a whole camp of them, sort of hidden away from sight) was quite some time ago; but I assume it's the same people yes. I was made to understand they originally inhabited the wider area, living as hunter-gatherers in the forests. However those forests having now largely been cut down for firewood and to make way for modern developments, they are left with nowhere to go & ill fit in to modern society, so they are left to eke out a living as beggars, and being shunned because of it all. All quite sad really. It's quite possible with increasing tourism they've been driven out of town by now; or maybe not, I couldn't tell you.

Krishnan

Hi, I am interested in adopting a Child from a orphange in Mamallapuram. I live in Mamallapuram for last 10 years. I am married and we do not have children. Like to know with your experience, which is a best orphanage to adopt a child?

peuks

Personally i dont believe in any of those orphanages in this place. everytime i return there, one more did open. its like a business. no - it IS a business. i wonder where all those "orphanage"-children are coming from...rented from poor families in the villages nearby, i guess. mamallapuram is such a perfect spot for it, so many travellers with big hearts. some of the orphanages even have little "branches", you find children parked in some of those shops, under the name of big orphanages, noone taking care of them, teaching them anything, just placed there to soften the hearts of tourists. and many tourists are not asking any questions, what happens with the donated money, but only believing the eyes of those poor little children (relieving their own bad conscience).
its very easy to trick traveling people this way, because they are leaving after a few days and cannot find out what really is going on there...and what is bought from the donations.
its easy to make some webpages, show some sad,poor children when visitors are dropping by, even give a little bit of the money to the orphanage and keep the rest of donations for the education of their own children in oxford or camebridge. sounds hard, but mamallapuram is wellknown for this "orphanage-business". not to speak of those horrible stories about abuse etc. just google it.