Mr. Jayapaul, born on October 1st, was raised in a family that faced immense hardship after his mother became a widow early in his life. Despite never having had the opportunity to attend school, Jayapaul’s mother taught herself to read using a Bible. She supported her four children by making and selling baskets from palm leaves, working tirelessly to provide for her family.

Their lives changed when they connected with a German relief organization, Kindernothilfe (Emergency Help for Children). Through this connection, Jayapaul’s mother found a job as a housekeeper in the home of Luder Luers, a pioneer who worked with Kindernothilfe. This opportunity provided stability, and all her children, including Jayapaul, were able to attend school and eventually pursue higher education. Inspired by his mother’s resilience and the support they received, Jayapaul went on to complete his postgraduate studies in social work.

After his studies, Jayapaul joined a partner organization of Kindernothilfe in South India as a Child Care Officer. However, he had a bigger dream—to create an organization dedicated to helping children in need, one that would provide them with a caring community and a sense of belonging. This dream led to the founding of Shalom Foundation in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, in 1991.