Ammachirak (Mother Wings) is an elder women's care home established at Elippakulam near Kattanam, as an initiative during the Ruby Jubilee of the Adoor Diocese of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church. This care home exists to provide shelter to mothers who have been isolated from their families and from society.
The care home believes that God, who is kind towards the poor and the needy, builds such Shelters of Mercy — and moves us to become the hearts and the hands for these mothers.
Truly, the Church is a group of people anointed by God to pursue the glory and the building of the Kingdom of God. In every era, the Church has been toiling towards broad social visions like this, to uplift the poor and the destitute in society. Such homes, which highlight the social commitment and mission of the Church, have always been a refuge for those without shelter. This care home, too, assures that there is a loving place of fellowship when one has no other place to go.
The journey
The primary intervention that led to the birth of Ammachirak was the donation of 52 cents of land in the interest of the late Mr. Santhosh P. Varghese — son of the late Mr. Baby Varghese and Mrs. K. I. Thankamma, Meenatheril, a member of St. Thomas Marthoma Church, Elippakulam — for the charitable activities of the Church.
As a tribute to the Meenatheril family, the name of the late Mr. Baby Varghese was added to the home. Thus, today, the care home is known as Mother Wings — Baby Varghese Memorial Care Home for Women, Elippakulam. By the grace of God, the building construction started off well and was promptly completed despite the Covid-19 crisis.
The leadership of Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos Episcopa, the former Diocesan Episcopa of the Adoor Diocese, was the key factor that led to the completion of the building. Alongside the other activities of the Diocese, Thirumeni gave special space and preference to the planning of the building. The Nalukettu concept, which evokes the glory of the past, was put forward by Thirumeni — and the building one sees today shares the tale of his leadership and enthusiasm.
His Grace Rt. Rev. Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan, the head of the Malankara Mar Thoma Church, blessed the Ammachirak building and dedicated it to the people on 27th April 2022.
The name — Ammachirak
Being part of this world, one of the primary aims of the Church is to serve the world. God's intention towards the Church is that it work as a caring community. The name Ammachirak points towards exactly that. It stands as a home for mothers who need care and protection — and so Ammachirak signifies the presence of comfort, the abode of refuge, the expression of tenderness, and the shelter of protection. For mothers whose wings have grown tired, this is the wing that lets them fly again.
The sole purpose of Ammachirak is to provide comfortable shelter to women who have no home. It was dedicated to the people on the 27th of April — the birthday of the late lamented His Grace The Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Valiya Metropolitan — to carry forward Thirumeni's message of unity and humanity. This care home has its doors open for all deserving individuals, irrespective of their caste, cultural background, religion, or name.
Summing up
Ammachirak is a home of dignity, rights and justice. A loving home that pledges to provide God's justice to those who have been denied it. It is not provided out of generosity — this care home believes that it is their right. Let us hope that love, dignity and rights are never denied to anyone. Let no one be left alone. If any woman comes into such a situation, Ammachirak will always remain open for them.
