The children's homes in the East of Flores were founded with the yearly support and effort of Marie Jeanne Colson. Marie is a former teacher who left Belgium 30 years ago to help the poor children. Now 70 years old, ‘Mama Belgi' is still actively working for the homes every day.

The children in the homes are mostly from very poor families, mentally and physically handicapped, neglected children or orphans Each child attending is accompanied by a relative or close friend who becomes their care taker. This could be the mother, aunt, brother, sister or other care taker over the age of 13. The care taker is taught how to take care of the child's special needs and asked to help out in the household, take care of other children, cook, wash, clean and look after the pig and chicken pens. Mama Belgi's mission is to get the child healthy as soon as possible to enable them to get back to their own “kampong” (camp/village).

One of the conditions to being allowed to stay at the children's home is an obligation of the child to attend school. As soon as they are getting older and are ready for school, going to marry or going to work, they are taken put of the project. This way of working is a good base for the adoption program to comply with the regulations and requirements from the Netherlands officials.

On the West side of the Island , you will find some organizations which (financially) support the foundation. Children in TARS, St. Damian (DAM) and SLB Konya Murni (RUT) are also being supported via the same adoption program.

The Rupingh Foundation now accounts for 951 adopted children. These children live in children's homes or surrounding villages. All donations are dedicated to the children.