The Congregation of the Daughters of the Cross (Filles de la Croix – FC) was founded on 08.09.1833 by Mother Marie Therese in Liege, Belgium in response to God’s call to reach out to the weakest and the most suffering. Her zeal and dynamism were visible in the daring, pioneering works with prisoners, women with venereal disease in hospital, refuge for destitutes, education of needy children in poor schools, care of the victims of cholera epidemic, care of the wounded soldiers in the Austro-Prussian war and such other services to the needy. The Daughters of the Cross came to India in the year 1863 and spread to various states in India.
The Congregation of the Daughters of the Cross has diverse works for the empowerment of the abused, marginalized, oppressed, with a special focus on women and children to enable them to claim their rightful place in society. The works include:
Care and Protection of Children
- Homes for abandoned/ relinquished babies, toddlers, orphans, abused girls, children in need of care and protection, girls with HIV, girls rescued from brothels, unwed mothers
- Adoption Agency for placing abandoned/ relinquished babies & children in loving families
- Creche for children of women from the streets and slums — so that they can leave their children in our home while they go to work
- Boardings in rural areas for girls from adivasi (original inhabitants) areas, dalit, economically deprived families - most of these are first generation learners
- Boardings for girls from dysfunctional families
Training
- Outreach through our schools with formal education in urban and rural areas
- Balwadis (KG Class) in villages for children before they begin schooling
- Remedial (Study) classes - tuition for village children studying in village schools
- Training of girls/women for livelihood, kitchen garden, economic empowerment
- Training of farmers to increase their produce, find markets for village produce
- Training of women and men in counselling, legal matters, human rights
Financial Empowerment
- Credit Cooperative Societies (women's banks) for women in rural areas
- Self Help Groups for women, with training in important matters of living and saving of their meagre income
- Interest free loans for studies, housing, setting up small income generation activities
- Projects for needy people in rural areas
- Assisting villagers to apply for and receive legal documents, income certificate, caste certificate, scholarships, pension for widows, senior citizens.
- Youth empowerment
Medical
- Outreach through our dispensaries and hospitals in the urban and rural areas
- Training of illiterate women as village health workers for first aid, emergency care, home remedies that they can provide as doorstep treatment to villagers in interior areas
- Supporting the recovery of persons with TB, HIV
- Counselling and assistance to addicts and their families
Vulnerable Groups
- Support and assistance to migrants
- Assistance to prisoners and support with their rehabilitation
- Collaborate, network with like-minded individuals of all religions, beliefs, NGOs, Government authorities for empowerment of the oppressed and vulnerable groups
Locations of the Daughters of the Cross in India:
Maharashtra: Andheri, Bandra, Byculla, Gorai, Malabar Hill, Palghar, Manor, Udhwa, Igatpuri, Nashik, Ambatha, Panchgani, Mahad
Dadra & Nagar Haveli: Velugam
Gujarat: Anand, Radhanpur, Ankleshwar, Zankhvav, Dadwada, Katkuva, Nani Singloti
Karnataka: Hubli, Gundoli, Yellapur, Kirwati
Goa: Collem, Tilamol
Uttar Pradesh: Mathura