Desai Linggi: A mother to the abandoned

Desai Linggi (47) has become a beacon of Christ-like love for abandoned and destitute children in the heart of Arunachal Pradesh, India, where challenges often overshadow hope.

Her journey, marked by personal trials and unwavering faith, reflects the Gospel call to care for the least among us.

Linggi’s empathy for the forgotten stems from her difficult past. Born into a broken family, she never experienced the warmth of a stable home.

Despite her mother's financial struggles, she chose to stay with her father during a custody battle at the age of six. However, his remarriage left her in an emotionally fragmented household, shaping her deep resolve to provide a stable and loving home for children facing similar hardships.

The instability in her life affected her studies, but God had a wonderful plan for her.

Determined to give vulnerable children the stability and love she never had, Linggi discovered her calling. Working as a nursemaid in a local school, she witnessed firsthand the struggles of children without proper care, igniting her mission to change their lives.

In 2000, moved by their suffering, she bravely rented land to establish the Nani Maria Hostel with the support of well-wishers. Her mission was clear yet profound—to create a home where children felt loved, protected, and cherished as God’s own.

From these humble beginnings, her work expanded. In 2002, she founded Nani Maria Kindergarten School, which grew into a full-fledged school by 2006.

In 2015, she formalized her mission by registering the Nani Maria Home for Children, gaining government recognition as an adoption agency in 2019. By 2020, she launched a one-stop center to support victims of abuse and neglect, offering them a chance at healing and dignity.

“We care for children abandoned by parents, rape survivors, rescued child laborers, and those who come from unsafe homes where addiction and abuse prevail,” she shares.

The police or concerned citizens often bring these children to her. Yet, to Linggi, they are more than just cases—they are her children.

“I will see them through their education, their struggles, and even their marriages when the time comes,” she says with the heart of a true mother.  

Her work has transformed countless lives. One young woman who grew up under her care now serves at the Nani Maria Society, earning a government-supported salary of $114.69 (9,999 Indian rupees).

Another boy, abandoned by his adoptive parents in his teens, is now in college, proving that love and faith can overcome even the harshest trials.

Her mission has been blessed by the generosity of many. Individuals and organizations have stepped forward to support her work—Indian Oil Corporation built a playground, provided a bus, and donated musical instruments, while the Smile Foundation funded a much-needed science laboratory, helping transform young lives.

The government provides US$34.41 (Indian 3000 rupees) as a small stipend per destitute child, which helps sustain daily operations, though it is often not enough.

Despite financial challenges, Linggi remains steadfast. “The Lord provides,” she says with conviction. “People come forward to help, and I trust that God will continue to guide this mission.”

Her life is a testament to the power of faith and the call to serve.

Inspired by Christ’s words, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40), Linggi has turned her hardships into a source of strength, offering love and stability to those who need it most.

Her journey is a reminder to the Asian Catholic community that in serving the abandoned and broken, we encounter Christ Himself. May her story inspire many to extend their hearts and hands to the vulnerable, living out the Gospel in action.