“We do not run a shelter home. But, we support, in all ways, children who suffer from cancer. The beneficiaries of Aroh range from newborn babies to teens,” Bindu N, founder and one of the trustees of Aroh, says.

Aroh is a Coimbatore-based NGO launched in 2013. The NGO supports children who are affected with cancer by providing them with medical and financial assistance, and by providing the much-needed counseling to their parents.

Its founder tells us that the Aroh has helped 220 child cancer patients. Each month, the trust also provides groceries and provisions to a dozen families. The three trustees of Aroh visit eight hospitals in Coimbatore each week. When a request for help is made by the patient through the hospital, Aroh immediately offers support.

The parents of children who suffer from cancer meet every month. The trust celebrates the birthdays of these children by cutting cakes and by throwing birthday parties for them. 13 children will celebrate their birthdays in April. Preparations have already begun.

Doctors and cancer specialists are often invited to speak at these gatherings. Sometimes, the parents and the members of the NGO discuss the various issues that they face. Ways to overcome the challenges, both medical and personal, are also a part of these discussions.

In order to stay connected with the families, Aroh also runs its own WhatsApp group. Updates and news about Aroh is shared on the group. Requests for help are also made through the group.

The founder of Aroh shares with us that she had always wanted to work for children. This prompted Bindu to be associated with Make a Wish Foundation. In fact it was Bindu who started the Coimbatore chapter of Make a Wish Foundation in 2003. She served as the division head till 2013. In May that year, she started Aroh.

Currently, Aroh is funded by its trustees, well wishers, and by their family and friends.