Our Story
In 1903, a group of concerned Australians joined together to support the work of Ramabai Mukti Mission to offer shelter, access to food and water, health care and education to children and women made destitute by famine in India.
As the work of the Mission grew, so did the number of Australians committed to supporting its work. An Australian Council was formed, and the bonds of partnership grew. Throughout the 1900’s, more and more Australians become involved in the work of the Mission – whether supporting the Mission’s work from Australia through donations, or serving at the Mission itself in India. Several of the Mission Superintendents were women from Australia.
In 2001 the Australian Council became incorporated as Ramabai Mukti Mission Australia Inc, then later changed its name to Mukti Australia Inc in 2009.
Mukti Australia Timeline
View the history of Mukti Australia below.
1889
Founding of Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission
Pandita Ramabai, Christian widow and outspoken advocate for women opens "Sharda Sadan" (Home of Learning) in Bombay with two pupils. The school was for high caste child Hindu widows, with the principle of observing complete religious freedom. Funding for this project was sourced from supporters in the USA and UK.
1896-97
Mukti Mission Expands
Following the rescue of over 300 destitute girls from famine and plague, the pupils of Sharda Sadan transition to Mukti Sadan (Home of Salvation) in a deserted farm near Pune. This home would grow to accomodate thousands within a few years due to harsh famines. It was later renamed Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission in 1922 following Pandita Ramabai's death.
1903
Mukti Australia Formed
Mukti Council in Australia is formed in Melbourne following a visit by Pandita Ramabai's daughter Manoramabai. Later renamed Mukti Australia in 2009, this council joined 5 other overseas councils united to support PRMM.
2016
New Partnership
Being moved by the needs in Sri Lanka, Mukti Australia commenced its partnership with Wings of Hope Lanka alongside PRMM. WOHL was founded by Rebecca Alexander, whose life as a tea-picker's daughter had transformed after being part of a sponsorship programme. Mukti Australia is proud to support both PRMM and WOHL to make freedom a reality.
On the Shoulders of Giants : An inspirational woman
This is the second paper based on the keynote speech given by Keith White at the SIRCC conference on 7th June 2007. In the first paper (White, 2007) he identified a few of the historically significant figures in residential child care and discussed the life and work of Janusz Korczak. This paper will focus on the life of Pandita Ramabai, an extraordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life in extraordinary times.
By Keith White
