16: Witnessing a Murderous Fire to Helping 38,000 People by Building 49 Interfaith, Caste-Free Homes // The Story of Sister Lucy Kurien
Background:
Sister Lucy Kurien is the Founder and Director of Maher, a community and interfaith organization for abused and destitute women and children, headquartered in Pune, India.
Maher in the Marathi language means “Mother’s Home” – a haven of hope, belonging and understanding. Their mission is to help destitute women, children and men from all over India exercise their right to a higher quality of life, irrespective of gender, caste, creed or religion.
Time-Stamped Show Notes:
- 3:29 Sister Lucy Kurien shares a very tragic story that involves the burning of a 7-month pregnant woman who asked her for shelter.
- 6:58 After that devastating incident, Sister Lucy began to take counseling from a priest. This priest recommended that instead of getting frustrated, she should do something for women.
- 7:50 In 1993, she collected some money and bought a small piece of land to set up their first Maher home.
- 9:09 More and more people started trusting and supporting Sister Lucy to fulfill her mission of building these homes for helping women.
- 13:03 Sister Lucy is keeping her door open for any people who are in need no matter what the religion or caste.
- 15:23 There were threats directed towards Sister Lucy but she has shown that she welcomes all types of religion.
- 18:10 Accepting all types of religion is her innermost belief system.
- 19:44 Currently, she is focused on building more homes for the abused women and children.
- 21:57 There was a lot of doubt and fear when Sister Lucy was just starting Maher.
- 23:37 Currently, there are over 1,500 people living in 49 Maher houses. She never thought that she would be able to build more than one house.
- 25:25 Sister Lucy enumerates how people can reach out to Maher and help the organization.
- 29:05 For the volunteers, Sister Lucy teaches them how to reach out to the women and children in Maher.
- 31:12 Sister Lucy offers a very meaningful message to the listeners.
This Episode Sponsored By:
- 11:38 At 17, Eric thought he was going to jail for a long time but there were people who helped him get back up again. Please check out Eric’s book to know more about his whole story. You can visit his website and download a free copy of the intro and prologue at EricGilbertWilliams.com.
Key Point from the Interview:
- “I am grateful to God for what has happened in my life.”
- “Let love be a religion.”
