Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif is associated with the worlds of film, glamour, and business. However, her mother, Suzanne Turquotte, chose a completely different path for her own life. While Katrina was building her career in the film industry, her mother dedicated her life to the education of rural children and social service.
For a long time, Suzanne has been living in a rural area of Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district, working towards children’s education and social development. The area lacks urban amenities; electricity supply is limited, and internet access is often unreliable. Despite these challenges, Suzanne has made this region the base of her operations.
Moved from London to Tamil Nadu in 2008
Suzanne’s journey in social work began in 2008 when she moved from London to Tamil Nadu. With the aim of improving education for rural children, she founded an organization called ‘Relief Projects India’.
Initially, the organization conducted free evening tuition classes for children attending government schools. Gradually, its scope expanded to include areas such as healthcare, child protection, and the development of women and adolescent girls alongside education. Currently, the organization operates in Usilampatti and the surrounding rural areas of Madurai district.
Started with 30 children; now over 300 students
A key component of Suzanne’s social work is the ‘Mountain View School’. It began on a small scale in 2015, with fewer than 30 children from economically disadvantaged families.
Over time, the school expanded and evolved into an institution providing English-medium education to children from rural families. According to the organization’s official website, 305 children are enrolled in the school for the 2025-26 academic year. Currently, classes range from LKG to Grade 5, with plans to introduce higher grades in the future.
The school’s objective goes beyond merely providing textbook-based education; it also focuses on building the children’s self-confidence, fostering personality development, and preparing them for the future. Arrangements for fee assistance and sponsorship are also made for children from economically disadvantaged families.
The Impact of Her Mother’s Life on Katrina
Katrina Kaif has spoken on numerous occasions about her mother’s life and her social work. According to the actress, she did not grow up in a lavish environment. Due to her mother’s work, she gained experience living among families and children grappling with financial hardships from a young age.
In an old interview, Katrina mentioned that her mother runs a school in Madurai and teaches children. She also noted that living in the village was not easy; electricity was often available only for limited periods, and connectivity issues meant she could not even make video calls to her mother. Consequently, they would stay in touch via regular phone calls.
Raising Eight Children Single-handedly
Suzanne’s story is not limited to social work alone; she also raised her eight children on her own. She continued her social service activities alongside her family responsibilities.
Katrina has often spoken about the profound impact her mother’s hard work and mindset had on the children in the family. The actress has also acknowledged the role her mother’s blessings and the values she instilled played in her own success.
Katrina Supports Her Mother’s Social Work
Katrina is personally involved in her mother’s social initiatives. According to media reports, the actress contributes a portion of her earnings to this cause, although she prefers not to make her financial contributions a subject of public discussion.
From time to time, Katrina has also appealed to the public to support these educational efforts. The primary objective of her mother’s school is to provide opportunities for quality education to children from economically disadvantaged rural families.
The Organization’s Reach Extends to Over 25 Villages
‘Relief Projects India’ is no longer limited to just one school. According to official information from the organization, its programs have now reached more than 25 villages. In addition to providing free evening tuition, the organization works in areas such as adolescent development, the empowerment of women and girls, life skills training, career guidance, health awareness, and child protection. According to the organization, its various programs have reached over 14,000 people.
Choosing a Path of Service Over the Glamour World
While Katrina Kaif’s career flourished in the Mumbai film industry and the business world, her mother, Suzanne, dedicated her life to children’s education and social service in rural Tamil Nadu.
Despite challenges such as limited electricity, internet connectivity issues, and the realities of rural life, Suzanne has long been working for the welfare of children and families in the region. Katrina has frequently spoken about her mother’s journey, noting that her mother’s commitment to helping others has deeply influenced the entire family.
