Coimbatore-based NGO Aadhirshta Educational and Social Welfare Trust recently came into being. The NGO was founded by Soundhariya Meenakashi. In order to raise funds to construct a park for the Mercy Home that is located in Coimbatore, the trust is organizing a shopping festival on May 28 in Coimbatore.

A slum is located near the Mercy Home. The slum-dwellers litter the entire street, making it unsafe for the inmates of the home. “We have brought this to the notice of the concerned officials but nothing has been done about this.

Our team of volunteers has also counselled the residents (of the slum), and we have made repeated requests asking them to stop littering the place because the children are sensitive to such pollution. But, there is no improvement,” Soundhariya says.

In order to make the place safe for the children whose health is very sensitive, the founder of this trust has decided to build a fence around the home and also construct a park for the inmates of the Mercy Home.

The founder shares with us that this project will cost about Rs.6.5 lakhs. In order to raise funds for this, a shopping expo, titled ‘The Pride of Manchester,’ will be organized at CODISSIA on May 28.

This will be a one-day event, and funds will be raised by leasing out stall space to vendors. About 150 stalls will sell a range of products including garments, accessories, things for kids, home decor products, and furniture, among others.

For several years now, the founder of the Aadhirshta Educational and Social Welfare Trust has been actively involved in various social service activities. One of them is supporting the children of the Mercy Home.

Kids who are tested positive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and who are disowned by their families are admitted to the Mercy Home located in Puliakulam in Coimbatore. Currently, the home has 30 inmates.