The Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Home for Children was founded by late Sir Rustom P. Masani and late Sir John Wardlaw-Milne in the year 1916. It is the oldest institution in the city of Mumbai devoted to the work of protection and care of destitute children, irrespective of caste, colour or creed. It started its work in 1917 with a small shelter at Grant Road. It was felt necessary to form a Society for the purpose of solving the problems of destitute children satisfactorily and thus The Society for the Protection of Children in Western India was founded.
In 1918, under the guidance of the late Sri Narayan Chandavarkar, the society proposed legislation towards protection of children and as a result, the Bombay Children Act 1924 came in to being. In fact, at the inauguration of the Children's Aid Society in 1927, the former Governor of Bombay complimented our society as being “the true parent” of the distinguished body.
The Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Home for Children, run by the Society for the Protection of Children in Western India was shifted to its present premises at King's Circle, Matunga, Bombay in the year 1921. The Home was named after the late Hon'ble Mr Byramjee Jeejeebhoy, C.S.I, in 1916, after a donation of Rs. 50,000 was received from his grandson, late Rustomjee Byramjee Jeejeebhoy.
Since 1927, the Home has been recognised by the Government as a "Certified School" under the Bombay Children Act 1924, the Bombay Children Act 1948 and the Juvenile Justice Act 2000 in force, to govern the children sent by Juvenile Courts from all over Maharashtra State.
Most of the children admitted in the Home face a common problem: they are either parentless, unwanted in their own family, from broken families, lack care and protection or have irresponsible guardians. These factors cause them to take to street life which results in them either associating with bad elements or falling victims to adult criminals.
We provide ample facilities for physical fitness, sports and games, recreational activities, outings, library, etc. Our children are encouraged to observe National days on all important religious festivals to foster a spirit of brotherhood, love and tolerance amongst children of different communities.
The B.J. Home has now completed its 94th year in the humanitarian services to the orphans, destitute and neglected children. The Society for the Protection of Children in Western India, puts on its records the most devotional and dedicated services rendered by the past guiding stars of the Society. To name a few of them: late Mrs Tarabhai M. Premchand, late Mrs. Saraswati P. Pandit, late Lady Kusum H. Kania, late DR. J.S. Nerurker, late Mr. M. Natarajan, late Mr. Adi N. Chinoy, late Dr. R.K. Pavri, late Mr. J.D. Bamji, who devoted all their life in this noble service till their last breath.
The expenses are met out of Government and Municipal Grant-in-aid and through the donations in cash and/or kind from the charitable institutions, donors and well wishers.
The Society is registered under the Societies Registration Act and the Bombay Public Trusts Act and the donations made to the Society entitles donors to relief from paying Income Tax under Section 80(G) of the Income Tax Act.
