In 2004, a violent tsunami hit the coast of Chennai. It wreaked havoc on our city, killing thousands of people and destroying thousands of homes. It was in the aftermath of this disaster that young Teni and Silas came across an orphaned child in the district of Thiruvallur. Thus, Charis Foundation was born.
Teni and Silas started the Foundation to serve and support 12 children who were affected by the 2004 tsunami – children who felt hopeless and lost, homeless and orphaned. These children were given food, shelter, education, clothing and love.

Charis Foundation’s primary mission is to feed and clothe children in need. We believe that every child deserves to live a fulfilled, happy life, no matter the circumstances.
Today, more than 20 years after Teni and Silas helped those 22 children, Charis Foundation has touched the lives of more than 250 children – rescuing children as young as 3 years from homelessness, abuse, abandonment and worse.
These children are taken home, to comfortable beds, hot meals and a lifetime’s worth of care and affection. They make friends, go to school, go on vacation but most importantly – they get to be children.