The Ma Foi Foundation

Disha, an initiative by The Ma Foi Foundation, empowers children from disadvantaged backgrounds to realize their strengths, fostering holistic development. Disha Scholarships have supported over 3,800 Tamil Nadu children, ensuring unhindered education and facilitating higher studies and employment. The Disha Leadership Programme cultivates skills, instilling leadership qualities in scholars from 8th standard onward. The Disha Sports Academy identifies and trains potential talents aged 10 to 14 in football, boxing, and athletics. Additionally, Disha Kalvi Maiyam provides educational and resource centres in Virudhunagar district villages for children lacking study support.

Incubated by The Ma Foi Foundation, Ekam Foundation collaborates with paediatricians, pharmaceutical companies, Governments, and hospitals to provide quality healthcare to underprivileged children. Regular screenings in orphanages, anganwadis, schools, and communities, along with referrals and follow-ups, aim to reduce prenatal and neonatal mortality. Training community volunteers and implementing school health projects contribute to preventative care. Ekam's partnerships with Government hospitals enhance access to quality services, employing a Public Private Partnership model and investing in infrastructure, manpower, and life-saving equipment. These efforts have significantly reduced neonatal deaths in NICUs.

Promoting women's financial independence, the foundation engages in three key areas with women groups: Microfinance, Vocational Training, and Entrepreneurial Support. Through Self Help Groups, women undergo vocational training programmes, fostering entrepreneurship or employment. The Janasri Bima Yojana provides insurance coverage to these groups, benefiting 3562 individuals. With 4200 Self Help Groups formed in Chennai and Virudhunagar, comprising 60,000 women, the initiative emphasizes savings, with total monthly savings exceeding INR 0.15 million and total credit availed reaching INR 35 million last year. Educational loans for members' children are also facilitated.