A Place to Belong. Philomena’s Paradise Brings Care, Compassion, and Home to the Forgotten

In 2017, Reena Charles, an educationist, was already teaching children about kindness and compassion. She believed empathy must be more than words - it had to be action. What began as encouraging her students to share small contributions slowly grew into something life-changing. That vision gave birth to the Ek Ehsaas Foundation (EEF), Delhi, a nonprofit built on the belief that without empathy, nothing has value.

What started as small acts of kindness with her students grew into multiple initiatives:

1. Samtripti – serving meals to the hungry
2. Vidhya – opening the doors of education
3. Poshaak – clothing the needy
4. Marhamm – healing through counselling
5. Motivational Academy – guiding youth with life skills

And then came the most tender initiative of all - Philomena’s Paradise, a home for abandoned elders, named after Reena’s mother as a legacy of love.

Their Stories, Their Home

Rita’s Story

Rita, 58, lost both her parents and husband, and distant relatives brought her to our Shelter Home in 2019. Loving and prayerful, Rita now calls Reena “Mumma.” Though older, she has found in Philomena’s Paradise what she had lost outside - care, dignity, and belonging.

Every resident has a story of abandonment. But here, each of them has rediscovered family.

Bablu’s Story

Bablu came to Philomena’s Paradise three years ago. Though he is 30, his mental condition gives him the innocence of a 5-year-old. Transferred from a children’s home in Haryana, Bablu was often moody and irritable due to his medicines. But soon, his love for music and his neat, tidy habits brought light into the home. Today, he is cherished like a son.

A Home Filled With Dignity

Life inside Philomena’s Paradise is simple but beautiful - morning prayers, meals shared together, stories exchanged over tea, and the sound of laughter echoing in the halls. Doctors visit regularly, volunteers join in, and residents no longer feel forgotten.

But behind these moments of joy lies a constant struggle.

Challenges Behind the Smiles

With dozens of residents, Philomena’s Paradise must provide food, medicines, medical care, shelter, and salaries for staff who nurture the residents every day. Rising costs of healthcare, groceries, and rent make it difficult to keep the doors open.

“There are times when I don’t know how to pay for medicines or staff salaries,” Reena admits. “But giving up is never an option. When I look at Bablu, at Rita, at all our elders, I know this work must go on.”

Challenges Behind the Smiles

With dozens of residents, Philomena’s Paradise must provide food, medicines, medical care, shelter, and salaries for staff who nurture the residents every day. Rising costs of healthcare, groceries, and rent make it difficult to keep the doors open.

“There are times when I don’t know how to pay for medicines or staff salaries,” Reena admits. “But giving up is never an option. When I look at Bablu, at Rita, at all our elders, I know this work must go on.”Together, We Can Build Paradise

Bablu has found joy again. Rita has found family again. And many more are waiting for the same chance.

A small donation can mean food, medicines, or shelter

Volunteering your time can bring hope and companionship

Sharing this story can ensure no elder feels invisible again

Philomena’s Paradise is living proof that empathy can create a family for the forgotten. Together, let us keep this home - this promise - alive.