Help Fulfil Sindhutai’s Dream Of Giving Thousands Of Orphaned Children A Better Life

“Back in the day, I didn’t have a roof over my head, I hadn’t eaten in days. With my newborn daughter by my side, I didn’t know where to go. I was scared of something bad happening. So, I decided to sleep at the crematorium - no one came there anyways. I made rotis out of the flour people used to leave for the dead bodies, and cooked them over the funeral pyres. That’s how I survived those days…,” - Sindhutai. 

Sindhutai cried her heart out that night and many more nights after that. But then this iron-willed woman decided to put her worries to the backseat and work for those who have no one to worry for them. 

However, this messiah of the poor and the homeless has left for the heavenly abode at 73  leaving behind a legacy of selfless service and kindness. 

Sindhutai Sapkal had dedicated her life to the service of all those who have faced rejection by society. She was their family and a proud parent of 1500+ children. She had 282+ sons-in-law and more than 49+ daughters-in-law. For someone who had only faced rejection in her life even from her own mother, she was showered with love - she was their beloved Maai (mother). 

Sindhutai always had an endearing smile adorning her face. That smile will never let you guess the amount of struggle that she had gone through since her childhood. Born on 14th November, 1948 in a cattle grazing family in the Wardha district of Maharashtra, she had a tough childhood. Her own mother never gave her the love she craved for, she even stopped her from studying beyond 4th standard. Married off at an early age to a 30-year-old man, she had an even more difficult life ahead. 

A victim of domestic violence, Sindhutai and her daughter were abandoned by her husband. They were forced to live on train stations, cremation grounds and even cow sheds. Life has never been smooth for her but it was now that she had a first-hand experience of those living on the streets. 

“I used to beg on the streets for two stale rotis, singing on the roads for a couple rupees. Sometimes, I wouldn’t even get that. But on days, when I did I used to share my food with others living on the streets. I just couldn’t eat all alone. After all, by then I was well aware of the pangs of a hungry stomach. And in exchange for the food, they would look after me and my daughter,” - Sindhutai would often share her experiences. 

It was during these experiences of poverty and homelessness that Sindhutai came across dozens of helpless orphans and women who were left to die a slow and painful death by the society. She started adopting these orphans and worked to feed them two square meals a day. 

She had nurtured over 1500+ children. Many of them are well-educated lawyers, lecturers and some, including her biological daughter, are running their own independent orphanages. One of her children has even done a Ph.D. about Sindhutai’s life. 

She had been honoured with more than 750 awards for her dedication and her inspiring work.  But Sindhutai had used up all that money to make a home for her orphan children. Due to her relentless efforts, her children are now enjoying a life with all the necessary amenities. 

She was a bottomless source of energy and inspiration

There were times when Sindhutai struggled very hard to care for her children. The pandemic and the lockdown has made the situation worse. This is where we could all step in and help continue her legacy. 

She had wanted to expand the area of the current house where her children live, and for that, she had sought your help to get construction materials. This extended area will allow Sindhutai to take in more orphans and give them more facilities. 

While we mourn the death of this determined and strong-willed mother, let us join hands to help her organisation look after the orphans, feed them well and give them a comfortable home. 

She wished to give them a life they deserve. Even the smallest amount of donation counts. You can help this mother save many more lives.

About the NGO:

Dr. Sindhutai Sapkal (MAAI) also known as Mother of Orphans was an Indian social worker and social activist known particularly for her work for raising orphan children. She had been working for the past 45 years for the betterment of orphans.

She was awarded with more than 750+ awards for her social work. She had nurtured and made the lives of more than 1500+ children. 

Note: All the donations towards this campaign is eligible for Indian Tax Exemption.