In 1998, Amma launched the Amrita Nidhi project, which offered 50,000 free, lifetime pensions to destitute women. The programme grew dramatically during Amma's 2004 India Tour, expanding from 3 to 11 states. In each city Amma gave darshan, She and various dignitaries personally distributed pension checks to several representative beneficiaries. In 2006 Amma further expanded the programme so that it reaches to 100,000 people. The recipients now include physically and mentally chal-lenged men, women and children
Orphanage
Math has an orphanage – Amrita Niketan, in Kerala. In 1989, Amma was asked to take over an orphanage and school whose owners had gone bankrupt. The children were in an extreme state of neglect and malnutrition,
and the buildings were unsanitary and in a deplorable condition. The
Ashram immediately set about caring for the children, rebuilding the orphanage
and re-establishing the school.
Today there are 500 children living at Amrita Niketan. Half of them are from
poor tribal communities. With the nourishing food and loving care and encouragement
they receive from a dedicated staff, the children gain confidence and the
strength to move forward in life.
During the school holidays,
many of the children
visit Amma’s Ashram
and join in the daily
activities. They have developed
a strong, lasting
relationship with Amma
and say that they feel she
is their own mother.There are about 500 children living at Amrita Niketan
Care Homes for Elderly
The elderly come to Amma’s homes for refuge or to spend their last years in
a tranquil spiritual ambience. The care homes have a family atmosphere, and
residents regularly participate in activities around the home. The care homes are
located in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu; in Kottayam, Kerala; and in Bangalore and Karwar
in Karnataka. They have a hall for prayer and community functions, including cultural
programmes, in which neighbours and friends often participate.
Legal Services
Formed in 2003, Amrita Kripa Neeti
Pratishtan is a network of 1,000 lawyers
that offers free counselling to
poor people. Lawyers work through the
network of Amma’s branch ashrams.
Mass Marriages
For decades, Amma has sponsored
the weddings of impoverished couples.
MAM provides all the items
necessary for a traditional ceremony,
including the bride’s wedding
sari and gold ornaments. Since the
2004 tsunami, MAM has conducted
free weddings for hundreds of poor
couples affected by the disaster.
The Gift of Food and Clothing
Amritapuri, Amma’s main Ashram, and its branch centres feed more than two
million poor people every year. Mata Amritanandamayi Math centres also distribute
uncooked rice, milk and clothing. Throughout the U.S.A., volunteers, inspired
by Amma’s teachings of compassion, provide 72,000 meals a year for the homeless
through a programme called Mother’s Kitchen.
In 1998, Amma launched the Amrita Nidhi project, which offered 50,000 free, lifetime pensions to destitute women. The programme grew dramatically during Amma's 2004 India Tour, expanding from 3 to 11 states. In each city Amma gave darshan, She and various dignitaries personally distributed pension checks to several representative beneficiaries. In 2006 Amma further expanded the programme so that it reaches to 100,000 people. The recipients now include physically and mentally chal-lenged men, women and children
The elderly come to Amma’s homes for refuge or to spend their last years in
a tranquil spiritual ambience. The care homes have a family atmosphere, and
residents regularly participate in activities around the home. The care homes are
located in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu; in Kottayam, Kerala; and in Bangalore and Karwar
in Karnataka. They have a hall for prayer and community functions, including cultural
programmes, in which neighbours and friends often participate.
