The Miracle Foundation • Austin

The Miracle Foundation • Austin

By Rebecca Pate Friday, 12 June 2009

Before the mega-success of the movie “Slumdog Millionaire,” the street children of India were not likely something to which most Austin residents gave much thought.

One notable exception is Caroline Boudreaux, founder and director of The Miracle Foundation, an Austin-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting orphaned and homeless children in India. She has been focused on little else since May 2000, when she first came in contact with some of these children.

“I never even thought about an orphan,” Boudreaux said. “I was traveling the world; I was going to party, to chase summer.”

At least that was her plan when setting off to circle the globe with her friend Christine Monheim in early 2000. Monheim had been sponsoring a child through a national organization and wanted to go to India to meet him during their travels. Boudreaux agreed, completely unaware of the effect this decision would have on her life. In one village the women were invited to dinner at an orphanage. That is where Boudreaux met Sheebani Das, an underfed, neglected 3-year-old girl.

“I picked her up and held her on my lap and she pressed her body into me as I sang her a lullaby,” Boudreaux recalled. “I wondered if anyone had ever done that for her. When I went to put her to bed, it was just a series of wooden slats, like a picnic table. I will never forget the sound of her bones hitting that bed.”

It was that moment she decided that something had to be done. She recalls that day was Mother’s Day in the United States.

Back in Austin a few months later, Boudreaux began what is now The Miracle Foundation. The initial focus was on finding homes for these children through international adoption.

Boudreaux learned more about the adoption process and the enormous amount of time, money and resources that would be spent on placing one child and wanted to do more. It became clear that TMF’s mission would be to help these children by providing them shelter, food and an education through one-on-one sponsors and donations.

Today the organization is dedicated to improving the lives of orphaned children in India through a three-pronged approach: raising the standard of living for the children in orphanages; reducing the number of non-orphaned children living in orphanages; and increasing the number of domestic adoptions in India.

Those interested in getting involved have multiple options. Sponsorships are $100 a month and provide one child with three meals a day, clothing, shelter, loving care from a housemother and an education. Sponsors are matched with a child and given the opportunity to develop a one-on-one relationship via photos, video messages, letters and updates provided on a regular basis.

Another way to support TMF financially is through donations to be used for general operating expenses. Additionally, donations can be made by purchasing from a catalog of gifts that include much-needed items like toilets, cribs, and books. Those who prefer to give their time can always volunteer to help stuff envelopes or organize the database.

For those with a sense of adventure, supporting TMF could be in the form of a trip to India to meet the children and see the sights. TMF calls it “voluntourism.” It could be a life-changing trip. It was for Boudreaux.

The Miracle Foundation, 1506 W. Sixth St., Austin, 329-8635, www.miraclefoundation.org