"Everything you need is within you, the strength, courage, and confidence to change your life. You just need to look within yourself and find it.”- Amanda Ray

We seem to understand that we have everything within us to make our lives beautiful and purposeful. The question is how to tap into this inner reservoir. Looking within isn't easy. Sometimes, we need a little help.

We recently introduced what we call, “Me Time,” at Sri Arunodayam. Our children and staff are encouraged to schedule individual, ongoing private sessions with our Counsellor. The purpose? To provide them a safe space to freely express their feelings, work through difficult emotions, and tap into their inner reservoirs. What started off as an experiment is now a regular, high-demand program!

Good mental health is a process, not a destination.

Let’s be honest; we all could do with a better understanding of what it means to have good mental health. October 10th was World Mental Health Day and it reminded many of us to reach out to family, friends, and colleagues who may be struggling with their mental health. Even the simple act of offering a listening ear made a big difference!

Good mental health isn’t the absence of worry, anxiety, or other psychological issues but rather the encouragement of a pervading presence of positive habits in one’s life. The more resilient we learn to become, the better we are able to tolerate negative feelings that accompany adversity and rebound from setbacks.

Since we commenced the “Me Time” program a couple of months back at Sri Arunodayam, we've noticed some wonderful changes in our children. They look forward to their time with the Counsellor. It’s heartening to see them voluntarily line up for a session after a little spat with their friends. They're taking the program seriously and reaping the benefits! It is said, “Children lead the way”. Their simplicity and openness in resolving issues, learning about themselves, and learning to relate to others in a healthy way is something we adults should emulate. This is a program that is impacting lives with far-reaching positive consequences!

MOU with SRMC

From mental health to taking care of the physical, Sri Arunodayam signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sri Ramachandra Medical College (SRMC), Porur, Chennai on the 14th of July 2023 where SRMC will provide free healthcare services to our children. We sincerely thank SRMC’s Vice Chancellor, Dr. Uma Sekar, Dean, Dr. H Thamizhchelvan, Head of Department, Dr. Akila Ganesh, and the faculty of SRMC for agreeing to provide this crucial service.

In addition, our children are under the fatherly care of Dr. Thomas, our Paediatrician, who has fostered a wonderful bond with them through his gentle and effective care regime, Mrs. Ramya Raju, our Psychologist, and Mrs. Charumathy, our Counsellor, who are instrumental in making our “Me Time” program a resounding success.

Our champs do us proud!

Our “Special Moms” never give up nor give in!

Our “Special Mom” program has been running successfully since 2017. It’s a program that honors mothers of children with special needs who use challenges as stepping stones to build themselves and their families up. What might have crushed others has, in fact, formed and fashioned our Special Moms. They’ve broken molds and refused to be stereotyped, emerging stronger in an increasingly materialistic and self-seeking world.

We held our annual Special Mom Award on the 6th of August at Radha Regent, Arumbakkam, Chennai. We are grateful to every donor, sponsor, staff member, well-wisher, and friend for making this ceremony a grand success!

Persecuted, misunderstood, and maligned, yet not giving up, read our Special Moms' inspiring stories here.

Sri Arunodayam wins Gold Seal of Trust!

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Sri Arunodayam is a secular organization with zero tolerance for discrimination against children regardless of caste, creed, race, ethnicity, disability, or gender.

These children are the wards of the Government of India and their identities are recognized and protected. Using their pictures without permission from Sri Arunodayam Charitable Trust is a punishable offense.