Esther Vijaya grew up in Bangalore, watching the sad plight of the orphan children who roamed on the streets that she lived in. She made up her mind that one day she would do something for the children of the orphanages.

Several years passed, and she moved to Coimbatore. In the year 2000, this homemaker founded and established an orphanage for children in Coimbatore called Love and Grace Mission, in Thondamuthur.

Nearly 60 children call this orphanage home. “The kids in this home are between five to 15 years of age and all of them call me Mama,” Esther says. Like a mother who earnestly wants to educate her child, Esther has enrolled all the kids of her orphanage home in the city Government schools. One of the children who grew up in this home is now in studying in a leading city college.

In order to take care of the children of the home, Esther has appointed about a dozen full-time staff. Funds to run the home come from various sources, but Esther continues to be the biggest contributor. Kind philanthropists and corporate houses also contribute on a regular basis. “Once in a while, some people take these children on picnics. Some even celebrate their birthdays and anniversary with us at the orphanage,” Esther says.

Apart from the picnics, inmates of the Love and Grace Mission home celebrate festivals like Christmas and New Year. Esther also hosts an annual sports day for the children.

Love and Grace Mission is open to donations in cash and kind from philanthropists. Esther can be reached at 0422-2617117.