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Amma The Hugging Saint: Her Service to the World: Humanitarian Activities that Bring Hope & Peace

"The world should know that a life dedicated to selfless love and service to humanity is possible."
The hugging saint Amma has brought peace to millions through her embrace and through her many humanitarian activities all over the world.

Mata Amritanandamayi, known as Amma (Mother), is often compared to Mother Teresa and Gandhi because of her devotion to the poor. Amma has said her inborn nature is "an unbroken stream of love flowing from her to all beings in the universe", and from early childhood Amma offered compassion to her neighbors who were suffering without food or proper care. She would spend long periods immersed in deep meditation, inquiring into the source of the suffering around her. Amma experienced a oneness with all of creation, and understood that the purpose of her life was to uplift humanity. Regardless of gender of caste, she consoled those around her, taking them into her arms, never turning anyone away.

Today, people refer to this 55 year old woman from India as the "hugging saint." In the past thirty-five years, Amma has embraced over 26 million - sometimes 50,000 in one day - of her "children" who have come to her to receive healing and peace. Though Amma asks for no money, many give in gratitude, entrusting her wisdom to serve those most needy.

Amma says “My sole mission is to love and serve one and all", and has created numerous humanitarian services facilitated through her Mission Trust, MATH. In 1981, MATH's primary charitable activity was feeding the poor at Amma's Ashram, but today the N.G.O, which recently gained United Nations consultative status, has vastly expanded its reach. With Amma's micro-managment, and through dedicated volunteers, 97 percent of the money coming to MATH is used for its projects. MATH still feeds the poor, serving some 2 million people each year- but its humanitarian activities have expanded to include a multi-speciality 1,500-bed hospital providing free healthcare, cutting edge educational institutions, vocational training centers, an orphanage which is home to 600 children, of which about 500 are from tribal and scheduled caste families and hospices for AIDS and cancer patients. Community welfare services provide 125,000 free homes for the homeless, monthly pensions for 100,000 destitute women, free medical clinics, and large scale ongoing disaster relief response including flood, earthquake and hurricane Katrina relief. Additionally, MATH has created 4 homes for the elderly, a speech and hearing school, a free legal aid project, and a charitable hospital that serves the Adivasis, an indigenous people living in northern Kerala. In 2005, MATH's $23 million donation played an immense role in tsunami relief in India and Sri Lanka, and its volunteers continue activities to construct 6,200 permanent homes in devastated areas.

Recently, Amma pledged 43 million dollars to an initiative "aimed at relieving financial, emotional and family pressure on farmers living below the poverty line". In South India, continually failing crops and oppressive debt from loans taken out to buy land have caused rampant numbers of suicides by the suffering farmers. MATH's programs will provide educational scholarships for 30,000 children, many of whom have lost parents to suicide, and free vocational training for 5,000 groups of women who will receive start-up capital to begin small home-based businesses.

Amma feels "The world should know that a life dedicated to selfless love and service to humanity is possible". With your funding, I will create a photo-narrative about individuals in India and around the world who benefit from Amma's humanitarian activities, bringing more awareness to the possibility of a selfless life.

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45 Comments

FatherJohn

I voted for you. Good luck.

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firegirl445

WOW! I have never heard of Amma but this sounds like a powerful journey you propose and I love that it focuses on so much giving and love for others. Best of luck to you!

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kimsuestern

I voted for you, Amma is amazing, i had a hug last year, I couldn't imagine a better person to document this universal love.......Good Luck & Love!

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markman

You got my vote.

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pdossantos

voted.
good luck:)

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adamfoto

one more from little ole' me! Good luck! Wothy project for a worthy photographer.

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aboyiazis

you go girl.
xo.

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kerrypayne

it's nice being able to vote in America.. ;) good luck.

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bsasso

This is a rad idea! I pic'd it. Mine is all about exposing a fatal conflict taking place in the Congo. Return the vote?

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michaelwilson

Sounds great, Erica McDonald... I wish you all best

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jrhandel

Wonderful dream & Best of luck! You have my "PIC" - please take a second to read about my cause - furthering peaceful coexistence between Arabs and Israelis in the Middle East and around the world! Thank you!

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mpw

Good luck!

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ericamcd

THANK YOU ALL!! if you want to learn more about Amma's Humanitarian Activities, visit http://www.amma.org, and if you'd like to see some of my photos before casting your vote, go to http://ericamcdonaldphoto.com. I would pour my heart into this..thank you for your help in makng this dream a reality.

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reinadelmar

GO Fishta-Sista! If you win, I'm coming with you..

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kellylynn11

Good luck!

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bobblack

voted :)))....sending metta too...

bob

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devilboy

I got my purple finger to prove I voted.
Break a leg.
J-F

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Amazonian

Good ideas like yours that are not in the Top 100 are nearly impossible to find. This is unfair as many great ideas are hidden. Those of us in the “Sub-100” should work together to promote the best projects of the Sub-100 so that they can be in the Top 100 and be seen. Please vote for best Sub-100s!

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romadog

Rollei Girl...You got my vote AND a vote for Nancy.:):):) Let the battle of the Park Slope photo babes begin. xxxGreg

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ericamcd

Romadog..I owe you a hug :)) Nancy didn't mention she signed up too..maybe we can share a flight to India.

Amazonian..I only started today, so here's to soaring up quickly!

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ericamcd

OH! and Romadog..I'm not there anymore..moved to the big city :))

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kristjan

Just to let you know that Amma in Icelandic is Grandmother :)

and of course I voted :Þ

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Buddhatoday

You have the rare mix of heart, eye/skill and courage to do this porject honor. Best of luck.

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Ganga

I don't of of a photo project that could be more relevant to the needs of today's world.

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Heimana

Yep Erica, Pict'ed it! :P Good luck!

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ScottG

From an LS member....

Good luck!

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aefpix

BIG HUGS ERICA - aefpix

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Veba

Done. Good luck.

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audrey_bardou

Bonne chance!!!

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tintin

You got a vote from the valley of love. Good luck!

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johnahughes

Hey Erica,
Best of luck. You have my vote.
John
John Andrew Hughes
Lightstalkers

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stickler

Erica, Great idea, you have my vote

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imaclellan

Very noble and inspiring project, voted.

Check out my project on innovation and technology as change for the developing world and my portfolio here: http://maclellanimages.com/blog1/galleries/

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laurahoffmann

Good luck!

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adamjames

You have my vote, If you get the chance, check out my dream "From Australia With Love" and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE vote for it!

Thanks.

-Adam

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risetoitradio

I voted, produce>host radio show Rise To It Radio. I interviewed AMMA in Dallas. Love to throw my had in the ring to do the voice overs for your footage.Amma is an authentic and humble avatar even though the world is currently bringing a few avatars to light,AMMA embraces the world.

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amrith

AMMA's grace will shower upon you!!

Aum Amritheswaryei Namaha!!!

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MASSBAHRAIN

MATA AMRITANANDAMAYI SEVA SAMITI (MASS-BAHRAIN) WISH YOU ALL THE BEST.

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andrewsullivan

It's a perfect project for you Erica... Let me know if you need me to hold a reflector!

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levitatingmonkey

Great idea!
I love to show some of your pics on my blog wen you come back.
Namaste

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ammasmol

Wonderful idea to share Amma with the world - You have my vote

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FatherJohn

My wife, as Pixie the clown, collects hugs and has a button to that effect. Good luck!

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deargertrude

Sat Naam sister! You got my vote.

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ianduncan

good luck erica!

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mikexuereb

most of the projects here are documentary assignments, and most of the judges are documentary photographs. I believe in my project, but I don't think I have a chance, coz my project is more conceptual. Anyways.. good luck with yours!

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