Ms. Jean Watson came to India from New Zealand in 1984, as a tourist, in a soul searching process. Soon she found her life’s calling is to serve the deprived and orphan children in India. During her travel from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, she visited Gandhiji-Kasturibaji Children’s home where she got the acquaintance of the couple Mr. Subbaiah and Ms. Mariyamma. Ms. Jean Watson came back once again in 1987 for a stay in Kanyakumari during which the couple expressed that they were moving to their native place Nilakottai, in Dindigul district and requested Jean also to visit the place. So, in 1987, for the first time Ms. Jean Watson visited the place which became a part of her life for the rest of her years.
Karunai Illam celebrated its 33rd Foundation day on 25th September 2020.
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Ms. Jean Watson sown the seed of Karunai Illam and initiated it on 25th September 1987 with seven children in a rented house
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DHAN came forward to extend its support, thus formed the partnership – DHAN Karunai Illam in the year 2007
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What started with seven children, now supporting 39 children in Illam and 152 children in five satellite centres
During the visit, many women who saw her rushed toward her and a woman enquired Mr. Subbaiah something in Tamil. When Jean wondered what they are so curious about Mr. Subbaiah replied, ‘The woman enquired whether you are a Doctor, since her baby is Sick.’ Jean felt sorry for not being a Doctor but Mr. Subbaiah expressed that there are many orphans and destitute children in and around Nilakottai, but there is no home to support them.
Ms. Jean Watson during an interview
Ms. Jean Watson without hesitating said Mr. Subbaiah, ‘We can start a children’s home. You start the work for the same in Nilakottai and meanwhile I will go back to New Zealand to arrange funds for the same.’ Thus the seed for Karunai Illam was sown and it was initiated on 25th September 1987 with seven children in a rented house. Over the course of the journey, Ms. Jean felt the need of an NGO which can take over the Illam and run it. She came to know about DHAN Foundation in Madurai and contacted them through email. DHAN came forward to extend its support and thus the new partnership got established. DHAN Karunai Illam was thus formed in 2007.
Illam batch 2019-2020, in front of Ms. Jean Watson memorial, in Illam Campus