In all actions concerning children,whether under-taken by public or private social welfare institutions,courts of law,administrative authorities or legislative bodies,the best interests of the child shall be a primary concern
Our Story
The future of society depends upon today's child. A child should have its right to education, love, work and positive development. However, often they do not enjoy these rights. These are often denied due to exploitation, poverty, lack of affection, subject of violence, broken family, physical and mental abuse and many other traumatic experiences.
The future of society depends upon today's child. A child should have its right to education, love, work and positive development. However, often they do not enjoy these rights. These are often denied due to exploitation, poverty, lack of affection, subject of violence, broken family, physical and mental abuse and many other traumatic experiences.
Nesakkaram-SEEDS (Street Elfins Education and Development Society) aims at addressing these problems. Nesakkaram means 'caring hands'. The caring hand of SEEDS was founded in 1989 by Rev. Fr.Jesu Irudayam O.F.M., a Franciscan friar who had deep concern to care for every street and working child.
Nesakkaram sprouted with Fr. Jesu beginning his care for rag pickers. It required a lot of commitment, faith in God and resilience and patience to do a work of this kind. From rag pickers, it spread to taking care of street children, abandoned children and runaways and today, in addition to these services, it has grown to motivating and forming Groups for women and swinging into action whenever there is a calamity.
Today, Fr. Jesu, the Director is ably assisted and supported by Fr.Joy Valooran O.F.M. as Joint Director with the staff of more than 45 members that includes Coordinators, Organisers and Educators. Many volunteers (both local and foreign) are coming forward to lend their helping hands. A major support to this yeoman service to the marginalized and the underprivileged comes from the Franciscan Congregation, Corporate Institutions, large hearted donors and ofcourse you and me.
Our Vision
"To provide an environment to love and to be loved, opportunities to learn and grow, opportunities to dream and the means to achieve them"
To do our very best for the underprivileged, marginalized and the exploited children to assert their right to childhood
To be a catalyst in empowering women of the weaker sections living below the poverty line
To reach out to the traumatized affected by natural and man made calamities
To Network with other NGO's, CBO's, GO's and Human Rights Organisation
Our Partners
A) Local Partners
- Department of Social Defence
- District Child Protection Office
- Child Welfare Committee
- Society of Friars Minor, India
- Local and National Partners
- Schools and Colleges in Chennai
B) International Partners
- MZF, Bonn, Germany
- GSFM, Waterford, USA
- Chennai SEEDS Onlus, Italy
- Operation Madras, Italy