PUNE: Maher was founded in Vadhu in 1997 by Sister Lucy Kurien as an organization for sheltering destitute men, women, and children as also for undertaking programs for rural development. Sister Lucy founded the organization following her being witness to a horrible incident in which a man burnt to death his pregnant wife along with her unborn child.
Today Maher reaches the life of the poorest of the poor through as many as 24 different outreach projects including 700 village self-help groups and 63 interfaith – caste-free homes that currently shelter 986 children, over 572 destitute women, and 170 men in the six Indian states of Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Kerala, Kolkata, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. Since its founding, Maher has provided care and shelter for more than 5000 children, 5,900 women, and 492 men
MaherOn this occasion of celebrating Maher’s 25 years, sister Lucy said,
The expansion of Maher activities over the last 25 years would not have been possible but for the growth of its resources over this period. This became possible due to the fund of goodwill its work has created in India and abroad. I feel grateful to all our benefactors in India and elsewhere who have shown their trust in Maher’s work and have continued their support without letting it up. These include individuals and organizations in every walk of life and I gratefully acknowledge their support to Maher all these years. The staff of Maher has played a wonderful role since its inception. I admire the love, support, and spirit of all Maher staff.
Sarvadharm samabhav or respect for all faiths has been one of the fundamental tenets of Maher.
Maher’s work has been appreciated internationally and by eminent dignitaries in India including Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, former Presidents of India Late Hon Pranav Mukerjee, and Hon Smt. Pratibhatai Patil, Shri Sharad Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Ajit Pawar, Nobel Laureate Shri Kailash Satyarthi, and Hon. Shri Dilip Walse-Patil Home Minister and many more.
