About Matilda Education Society
Matilda Education Society (MES) serves the poor and unreached peoples of south-central India. While bringing Christianity to the region, it strives to improve the lives of people from all castes. MES runs the Matilda School (two campuses), the Bindu Home for homeless children, and Grace Clinic in Devarkanda and Mallepally. Devarkanda is located approximately 2.5 hours by car southeast of Hyderabad. Mallepally is in a rural area close to the large reservoir at Nagarjuna sagar.
MES was formed in 1992, originally with the name VEDA Ministries, but later changed to Matilda Education Society. The organization was founded by Das and Doris Maddimadugu. An ordained minister in the Mennonite Church, Das graduated from seminary in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Das and Doris returned to southern India to minister among the people of Das’s own untouchable caste with whom he was raised in the rural state of Andhra Pradesh.
MES employs teachers, teachers aides, trainers, and pastors, and has received support from the Charleswood Mennonite Church of Canada, Reba Place Church of Illinois, and Taipei International Church of Taiwan.
For more info contact Pastor Das at dmaddimadugu@hotmail.com
1. Spiritual Ministry:
a. The Rural Pastors There are 25 pastors who serve the Lord in interior places of Andhra Pradesh. Most of the time they are exposed to threats of the time they are exposed to threats from the locals for sharing the gospel. Most pastors are independent and have no organizational support. And they have no organizational support except MES .
b. The Stonecutter’s Church at Anjaiah Colony Pastor Ratnam and wife Shobha worship with 100 people from the stone cutters colony every Sunday .The church is growing rapidly .
Gajinagar church, a 20×30 square foot building,is semi finished in the outskirts of Devarkonda. Earlier we had a sewing class for young women there. Pastor Adam and wife worship here with 50 people.
AGIF Muthaipalem Church newly dedicated church in April 2009 for the residents of the fishermen colony who lost all all their houses in the tsunami of 2004. Pastor Raja Rao and wife worship here with 20 believers .
2. Bindu Home Shelter: There are 120 children in this shelter both boys and girls. They are well attended to their needs and most have a record of keeping scholastic achievements. There are 20 children who need sponsorship.
3. Matilda Educational Institutions: Two schools, one at Mallepally [ kindergarten to grade 10 ] and the other at Devarkonda [ kindergarten to grade 7 ], serve the needs of about 2,000 rural and town children. We have finished the construction of the second floor of Devarkonda school on a two-acre plot of land, and we started new construction at Mallepally.
4. Grace Children’s Clinic: In the beginning of November 2005 we started a free eye treatment for the elderly. An opthalmologist comes every week and checks the patients. In the following week, we provide transport to Miryalguda where he performs free surgery with a team of doctors. This ministry is drawing many elderly people to the clinic. All Bindu children are screened for eye problems. Elizabeth the resident nurse looks after the Bindu and Matilda children helping them with minor treatments
5. Sewing Centers: In the months of May and June we made 1000 dresses for the tsunami children and tailored 600 pairs of school uniforms for Matilda Education Society (MES). Nearly 30 young women find daily employment.
6. Informal Schools for Child Laborers: Each year we conduct informal schools at nights for children who are day laborers. They learn to read and write and learn folk arts. There are 50 children this year in these schools. The Lord has enabled us to sustain our projects through your generous involvement.
Pastor Das, December 2008”