Tulips: Restoring fragrance in abandoned lives

A couple set on a journey more than a decade ago to touch the lives of those in need, and that was how Tulips Education & Charitable Trust was founded in 2008.

When Ms Mable and Mr Dev moved back to India from Dubai, it was now or never for them to realise their dream of becoming philanthropists. Soon, they set up a home for the aged and needy. Ms Mable, a marketing and procurement professional turned social worker, said that her upbringing and family situations played a major role in her taking the decision. “Signing a cheque as donation to an NGO or a charitable trust is easy, but living a life dedicated for the uplift of the needy is demanding, and that was what pushed me and family towards this social venture,” she said.

The non-profit organisation runs only on the funds raised by Ms Mable, her family and close friends – Srinivas, Vignesh, Pamela and Kokila. “We never encourage money as donations, but we want individuals who can dedicate their time to care for others. It can be a simple conversation or teaching a skill, but such small acts of kindness have the power of making a big difference in the lives of those in need,” said Ms Mable, Director, Tulips Education & Charitable Trust.

The trust runs a free home for the aged at Mylasandra on the outskirts of the city. It now has 15 inmates in the age group of 50 to 75. “We started the home at a leased land, but now we have moved into a better facility, built on our own land. I am glad to see these elderly people, who were abandoned by their families and communities, living a happy life under one roof,” she said. Doctors from nearby clinics and health centres conduct monthly check-ups for them.

The team is now reaching out to rural and underprivileged girls and equipping them with life skills, hand skills and communication skills. “We want to educate youngsters, especially girls, in different courses, including interior designing, knitting and tailoring, which will help them earn on their own. This benefits their families and communities. As the school dropout percentage is high among rural girls, because of menstruation and health-related issues, theses skills help them turn around their lives,” Ms Mable said.

These beneficiaries will be made to train others which will help the trust reach out to more people. “These girls who complete the training can teach the elderly and others in need,” the team members said. 

Part of the Tulips team is two school-going students, Miriam and Manara (studying in Class 8 and 6), who want to enthuse their friends to join the cause too. To increase the participation of youngsters, the team has started an initiative, Abhivrudhi, which will see more youngsters working with the core team. The trust, which wants to help more people outside Bengaluru, has conducted ground studies at villages in and around Mysuru.

“Seeing a smile on the faces of the needy, feeding them on time and providing them with medical assistance was something that my mother and mother-in-law did all their lives. We want to continue that legacy and want the next generations too to keep the spirit alive,” Ms Mable said.