Our History

OUR HISTORY

2002
Foundation

Children of India was founded in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

2002-2019
Child Welfare for the poor in Tamil Nadu, India

Activities focussing on child welfare for the poor and orphaned children in Tamil Nadu

2019-present
Partnership with Terre des Hommes Netherlands

In collaboration with TdH-NL, CIF reaches out to Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana with a focus on adolescent girl children

Children of India Foundation (CIF) is a registered non-governmental organisation founded on November 14, 2002  working for the welfare and upliftment of the vulnerable and marginalised children and their families in India. 

 In 2002, a small group of dedicated individuals founded the organization with a vision to transform the lives of vulnerable children across India. In 2015, we proudly launched our first major project, which provided education and healthcare to over 1,000 children in rural areas. By 2020, our efforts had expanded to new regions, reaching more children and families with our comprehensive support programs. In 2020, we celebrated our 10th anniversary, reflecting on a decade of achievements and planning for an even more impactful future.”

In our initial years, we managed an orphanage taking care of vulnerable children in Tamil Nadu. Gradually, with time, we expanded our operations in the state. With the help of Terre des Hommes Netherlands we now reach out to more children across more states – Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

As an independent entity, we have been providing assistance to communities in the following ways : 

  1. By supporting the children with their school and college fees, 
  2. Providing support for food and medical expenses on a monthly basis, 
  3. Identifying and supporting the poor widows on need basis
  4. Sanitation including community toilets etc.
  5. Education / Schools for the mentally challenged – school fees.
  6. Supply of free medicine, and medical aid, including hearing aids, visual aids, family planning.

Since laying the first foundation stone of our organisation, we have worked for the development and welfare of the most vulnerable children in India, spreading hope, faith and prosperity in people’s lives.

Presently, we carry out three projects in partnership with Terre des Hommes Netherlands in India.

Roopa*, age 20, was married at the age of 14. She became a mother by the age of 16.
With her hopes and dreams crushed, she resigned to a life of being confined at home.
IMAGE Next intervened in her life and organised her in the movement.
Roopa was quick to pick up advocacy and life skills and she was soon selected to be a movement leader.
Now Roopa leads awareness campaigns against child marriages and spreads awareness in schools.
Earlier, she was trained in tailoring skills.
Now she herself trains 17 other early married girls on tailoring

skills.
Through spouse sensitisation interventions, her husband has also learnt the importance of supporting her