Myrtle Social Welfare Network: Chennai NGO Supporting Children, Women and Vulnerable Communities

Established in 2003, the Perambur-based organisation works across child protection, cancer support, women’s welfare, education, skill development and community development.

Myrtle Social Welfare Network is a Chennai-based non-profit public charitable NGO working with underprivileged children, youth, women, families and marginalised communities. Established in 2003, the organisation operates from Kennedy Square in Perambur and focuses on education, healthcare, livelihood support, child protection, women’s welfare and community development.

According to information published on its official website, Myrtle aims to improve the social, educational, physical and economic well-being of disadvantaged communities while creating opportunities, hope and self-respect among children, young people and women. The organisation states that its services are provided without discrimination based on caste, religion, language, class or gender.

Support for Children Affected by Cancer

One of Myrtle Social Welfare Network’s key initiatives focuses on children affected by cancer. The organisation says it has supported more than 600 children from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Its assistance has included nutritional support, dry-ration kits, transportation, temporary accommodation, hygiene kits, educational assistance and psychosocial care. Myrtle also reports operating a play area at the Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children in Egmore, providing recreational support for children undergoing treatment.

Women’s Shelter in Chennai

Myrtle works with the Greater Chennai Corporation to support an urban shelter for destitute and abandoned women and children in Teynampet. According to the organisation, the shelter supports nearly 50 residents and also operates as a night shelter.

The NGO also runs community-based initiatives aimed at assisting vulnerable families through healthcare, sanitation, hygiene, food and livelihood support.

Child Protection and Railway Helpdesk

Child protection is another important area of Myrtle’s work. The organisation has operated a child-help desk at Villivakkam railway station in association with government and child-protection agencies.

The initiative aims to identify and support children who may be vulnerable to abuse, trafficking or child labour, while connecting them with appropriate child-protection services and Child Helpline support.

Youth Skill Training and Livelihood Support

Myrtle also conducts skill-training initiatives for young adults, particularly those between 18 and 30 years of age. These programmes are intended to improve employability, develop practical skills and support greater economic independence.

The organisation also describes programmes for trtribal communities and disadvantaged families, covering education, healthcare, sanitation, livelihood assistance, hygiene supplies, temporary accommodation and dry-ration support.

Child Rights Awareness Through Puppetry

As part of its child-rights awareness work, Myrtle says it partnered with UNICEF to conduct more than 100 puppet shows in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The programmes addressed subjects including child rights, child abuse and child labour.

Following the floods in Kerala, the organisation also reports training more than 1,500 puppet performers.

Reported Reach of Myrtle’s Programmes

Myrtle’s website reports that over an 18-year period, its programmes reached:

- 11,45,060 children

- 47,980 youth

- 17,073 families in need

These figures are reported by the organisation and should therefore be considered self-reported programme outcomes unless independently audited or verified.

Myrtle Social Welfare Network: Contact Details

Established: 2003
Registered Office: 18/39, Cross Street, Kennedy Square, Perambur, Chennai – 600011
Phone: +91 44 2558 0073 / +91 98400 96022
Email: [email protected]
Website: myrtleindia.org
Founder mentioned on the website: Ms. Saral Shanthini

The organisation’s website lists details relating to its Public Charitable Trust registration, 12AA, 80G and FCRA, along with PAN, audit reports and CSR-related documents.

People interested in donating, volunteering or supporting Myrtle’s programmes can contact the organisation through its official website. Before making a contribution, donors are advised to independently verify the latest audited financial statements, current 80G eligibility, FCRA status where applicable and official payment details.

Overall, Myrtle Social Welfare Network has a broad portfolio of social-welfare initiatives, with a particular focus on child protection, paediatric cancer support, women’s shelter services, youth skill development and assistance for vulnerable communities.