Little Hearts Orphanage

The Little Hearts orphanage is situated on the outskirts of Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, India’s most south easterly state. Iyyappan and Rita have been reaching out to mentally and physically disabled underprivileged children on the streets of Chennai and providing them with the love and attention they deserve. From a one room hut back in 1996 the orphanage has grown to a three story school and office building, a three story accommodation building and a health centre. The orphanage is home to approximately 70 children and employs approximately 27 staff. Some of the children at the orphanage have been found in railway stations, on the side of the road or left dumped in a park. Many of the children actually have some family connections but because of their mental or physical disability their families can not cope with looking after them or cannot afford to care for them.