User:Bitu Roo

Bitu Roo (talk) 13:06, 15 April 2016 (UTC)

Matthew Kurian  is the Co-founder and Managing Trustee of El Shaddai Charitable Trust and Founding Pastor of Faith Community Church, Goa.

Early Life
Matthew began his working life in the hospitality sector in his home town of Cochin Kerala, working his way up to become the youngest ever manager of the Hotel. It was there he came to the knowledge of Jesus Christ and decided to give his life to Him. He immersed himself in Church and social work. It was during this time he had a vision to go to Goa. He joined a seminary and pursued a Bachelors course in Theology passing with outstanding skills receiving the ‘Plaque of Excellence.’ In 1993 he came to Goa and started working with alcohol and drug abusers.

A chance visit to a slum changed Matthew’s perspective on life completely. Their appalling and desperate lifestyle shocked him and he began teaching them the importance of hygiene, clean drinking water and healthy. His heart specially went out to the children who were living in such filthy and depressing conditions. He was moved when he saw them begging on the streets, collecting rubbish and even eating out of garbage bins to relieve their hunger. There Matthew got his vision and mission in life. He wanted to start Homes and Shelters for these children, but due to lack of funds could not do so. One Sunday morning an English lady called Anita Edgar came to his church and shared her vision with Matthew, which happened to be the same as his and so together they began a Charity called El Shaddai Charitable Trust and have been working together ever since. EL SHADDAI is a Hebrew term meaning God Almighty Provider of all. The Charity takes care of orphans, street children and slums; children from economically desperate conditions and children whose parents in prison or have a terminal disease. El Shaddai also rescue children from high-risk environments and provide food, shelter, clothing and a childhood so they can look back with fond memories.

Achievements
The Charity has grown and has completed 20 years in the service of less fortunate children under the able guidance of Matthew Kurian. In Goa El Shaddai has residential Homes for over 310 children, Day-Care Shelters, Children's Cottages and Community Centres. El Shaddai's Manna Meals on wheels provides free lunch to more than 275 children & people on the street, slum and market place. El Shaddai's projects are in Goa, Adarahalli and Mundgod Karnataka, and Kottayam, Kerala.

Matthew has travelled the length and breadth of India to promote the welfare of children and is pioneering to bring an alternative Non-Formal Educational System to the country. He has also travelled to many countries overseas to promote El Shaddai's work.

Awards and Recognition
Matthew's work has been acknowledged in India as he received the Indian Government’s National Award for Child Welfare 2008 at the hands of Ms. Sonia Gandhi; He also received Spirit of Humanity Award 2012 in the child nutrition category from Americares India Foundation; followed by Global Achievers Award in April 2012.

The El Shaddai Trust has grown in every direction due to the tireless efforts and hard work of Matthew Kurian, Co-founder, Managing Trustee, and Pastor.