Women Initiative for Development Education (WIDE) is a Non-profit Registered Organization dedicated to the well being of deprived children in and around Tiruvannamalai, a town in Tamil Nadu, South India. 

For 5 years WIDE’s initiatives have focused on an orphanage run by myself, Kumari Xavier, and my family.  WIDE’s 30 orphaned and half-orphaned children (ages 4-16) have experienced a range of harmful and dangerous living conditions, some of them having lived on the city streets.  Others have mental and physical disabilities.  Here they live in a family-style home, attend school, and receive the basic necessities of food, clothing, shelter, medical care, school supplies and a sense of familial belonging. 

Although Women Initiative for Development Education (WIDE) began as a response to the needs of disempowered women in Tiruvannamalai and the surrounding area, its attention to the needs of these impoverished communities has since shifted to the children.

Currently, Women Initiative for Development Education (WIDE) Orphanage strives not only to secure the basic well-being of its children, but also emphasizes individualized care and attention and takes steps to ensure that the children’s futures are stable.  WIDE accepts children in need indiscriminately, taking in children from all castes, religions, and levels of physical and psychological ability. 

For example WIDE has successfully financially sponsored one child with severe disabilities through university. 

WIDE orphanage is seeking volunteers to interact with the children in the evening hours and weekends.  While the younger children benefit from playtime and affection, the older children enjoy socializing and help with their studies.  English lessons are helpful for children of all ages.

Many of the children have experienced trauma of various kinds, and although language barriers are problematic, WIDE has received volunteers with an interest in psychology and child therapy, who have applied their knowledge in various ways, such as through art therapy.      

Volunteers are welcome to stay in our home or at the many guesthouses in Tiruvannamalai.  Tiruvannamalai attracts tourists from all over the world and international calling, internet cafes, and western food are all readily available.           

On behalf of the children and myself I thank you for your considering the needs of WIDE.  We look forward to hearing from you.