Bethany Social Apostolate in Tamilnadu; St. Antony’s Home, Vencode
St. Antony's Home is a registered charitable endeavor started in January 2004 by the Navajeevan Province of the Order of the Imitation of Christ (OIC) which is generally known as Bethany Ashram. Bethany Ashram is a religious congregation founded by Servant of God, His Grace Archbishop Mar Ivanios OIC in 1919. Following the footsteps and ideals of the founder, from its very origin the Ashram has been working among the poor and the needy especially among the marginalized and the downtrodden with the sublime aim to alleviate the sufferings from their lives.
"We make a living by what we get,
but we make a life by what we give"
Inspiration
When Tsunami struck the coastal areas of Tamilnadu and lakhs of people were severely affected by this natural calamity the presences of a destitute home became more pertinent and the need of the hour during this state of crisis Bethany Ashram helped and accommodated the most deprived children in the society with the sole purpose of giving care and support thru the St. Antony's Home. St. Antony's home strives to live by the Gospel message ".....as you did this for one of the least important of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me" (Mathew 25:40)
Location
St. Antony's Boys Home is situated at Bethany Nagar, Vencode, a tiny village located in the Painkulam- Killiyoor Panchayath of Kanyakumari district, Tamilnadu, India. It is about 8 km. from Vettumani, a town between Kuzhithurai and Marthandam on the Trivandrum - Nagarcoil National Highway, Presently there are 20 boys residing in St. Antony's Boys' Home. The children of the Home are either orphans or semi-orphans affected due to Tsunami, broken marriages, separated parents and parents suffering from life threatening diseases like TB, AIDS and Leprosy. Some of these children are shunned by relatives and the society. At this juncture we from Bethany stepped in and extended a helping hand to meet their fundamental and basic necessities of life-like food, clothing, shelter, Medicare, required nutrition, quality education, skill training and all without taking any monetary help from their families and relatives.
Our boys at the Home are provided with the best of education and are taken care of to become self-sustained in their lives. The prime objective of St. Antony's Boys Home is to create an environment that suits the children to attain self-esteem. The program of the Home is systematized in such a way that our children are positively encouraged to lead a disciplined life and to become responsible citizens of tomorrow.
Future Plan
Realizing the fact that today, a good school or college education alone cannot guarantee a secured future, and also to inculcate entrepreneurship we plan to start in the near future vocational training like printing, tailoring, book binding, computer training. The campus is beautifully maintained with different gardens and other facilities required for acquiring academic and technical skills. We have also started in our premises Poultry farm, Rabbit and Goat rearing.
We are planning to promote natural drinks- a project of Tender coconuts which will certainly help the children to inculcate the habit of utilizing the agricultural products and the natural resources within their reach for the benefit of the society. All these ventures are aimed at providing the opportunity for the children to find out their own interests and means to attain economic sustainability in their future life. Moreover poor kids from the neighborhood areas will also be given an opportunity to utilize the facilities.
"Do not despise one of these little ones"
Mathew. 18: 10
As a sign of our gratitude we assure our special prayers for you every day. And a unique thanks giving Holy Mass will be held on the 1st of every month for all our benefactors and well-wishers and a special Holy Mass will be offered in the individual name as and when you suggest the date and name.
Our boys at St. Antony's Boys' Home are assisted with love and concern in their total developments through the supports extended by friends, well wishers and noble hearted people. We are indebted to your generous heart and we pray that may the Almighty shower his abundant blessings upon you. The task in a nut shell is quite a herculean one. That said we firmly believe that with the active involvement and encouragement of our well wishers, philanthropists and socially committed organizations, our objective can be successfully achieved. We count on you...
"A New Commandment I Give You,
Love One Another As I Have Loved You"
John. 15:12
Our Appeal
*Sponsor a child (full/ part) monthly/yearly.
* Make a trip to Vencode and spare some of your valuable time to visit our Home.
*Celebrate and share the events of the family like birthdays, wedding anniversary with our children.
* Provide a meal.
* Donate in cash and kind.
* Provide stationery/toiletries.
* Pray for the smooth functioning of the Home.
"As one person I cannot change the world, but I can change the world of one person."
Contact Us:
The Director,
St. Antony's Home, Bethany Nagar, Vencode P.O,
Puthukkadai, Kanyakumari Dist.
Pin. 629 171
Tamil Nadu, India.
Phone: 04651 233200, 233800
Mob: 09487126391, 09488942185
Account No. 0480053000002425
IFS Code: SIBL 0000480
SWIFT Code: SOIN IN 55 (South Indian Bank, Marthandam)