Jeevodaya Society

Jeevodaya Society is an apolitical, not-for-profit organization founded by Sr. Clara in the year 1999 in Itarsi, Madhya Pradesh. Jeevodaya in Sanskrit Read more means "Rising Life” which signifies that even in the most difficult circumstances and situations every life has the right to prosper to its highest potential. Jeevodaya as a concept was incepted in 1991 at Itarsi railway station which is one of the biggest railway junctions of India with more than 158 trains passing daily. Every train carries children running away from abuse, violence, and poverty to get to the cities, where they hope to find a better life. Due to a lack of proper legal mechanisms and awareness, state authorities will turn blind eye to these children. Generally, these children are amongst the first ones to be detained for any crime that happens at the railway station. Sr. Clara Animottil from Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery frequently visited Itarsi where she often came across displaced, unnoticed and vulnerable children at the railway platform. She felt a sense of responsibility towards these children and believed that they also have equal rights for a beautiful childhood. Her quest in searching for a sustainable solution and passion to work for these children at the railway platform lead to setting up Jeevodaya. Jeevodaya society works for the upliftment of underprivileged children who face social bias and injustice in their everyday lives. It's primary objective to rescue and provide care and support to the runaway and homeless children at the railway station. Jeevodaya has collaborated with West Central Railway and Women’s Welfare Organization to provide 360-degree holistic support to neglected children both young and adolescents. Vision Jeevodaya envisions towards building a just and conducive society where every child enjoys his/her basic rights of a healthy childhood, care, and protection without any fear of subjugation, or social exclusion. Mission Our mission is to uphold human dignity by working towards child rights and advocacy through a process of early intervention in the child's life. We provide residential support to rehabilitate them and prepare them to get back into society at an improved socio-economic level.