Inside Katrina Kaif's mother's 15-year NGO work in a Tamil Nadu village

Far from the glitz of the film industry, actor Katrina Kaif’s mother, Suzanne Turquotte, has spent nearly two decades quietly transforming lives in a rural Tamil Nadu village near Madurai. Driven by a deep commitment to social work rather than a life of urban comfort, Suzanne voluntarily chose to leave London and settle in South India, where she faces frequent 12-hour power cuts and limited internet access to run her charity, Relief Projects India, and the Mountain View School.

While Katrina continues her successful film career in Mumbai, she remains deeply proud and supportive of her mother's inspiring mission, regularly contributing financially to help sustain the non-profit institution that educates hundreds of underprivileged children.Suzanne’s journey in Tamil Nadu began in 2008, when she relocated from London to establish Relief Projects India with the goal of supporting children from disadvantaged communities. What initially started as a modest network of free evening tuition centres for students attending government schools gradually transformed into a full-fledged community development initiative.Recognising the broader healthcare and protective needs of the region, the organisation expanded its scope over the years. In 2015, Suzanne founded the Mountain View School. What began as a small nursery catering to fewer than 30 children aged three to five has since grown into a fully recognised primary school educating over 300 students.Speaking about her mother’s dedication to education and social work, Katrina Kaif had previously shared in an interview with ABP News, Katrina said, "My mom stays in Madurai where she has started a school for children. She is a teacher. She teaches there, and she is happy. It is because of her charities and blessings that I have reached these heights."Despite her daughter's success in Mumbai, Suzanne intentionally opts for a simple, frugal lifestyle that keeps her connected to the community she serves. The rural location comes with significant logistical challenges, including scorching summer heat and prolonged power shortages.Detailing her mother's living conditions, Katrina explained how these infrastructural gaps affect their daily communication. "It is not easy to live there. They don’t have access to electricity. It is available for 12 hours. Sometimes, when I want to FaceTime my mother, I cannot, because there is no electricity or sometimes even internet. So we have a normal call," she added.During a subsequent appearance on Colors Cineplex, Katrina emphasised her mother’s resilience and selflessness. She said, "A person who lives in a village where there are hours in a day when there is no electricity there... It’s incredibly hot and because you don’t have electricity, so the ACs are not there. She lives in this condition and she has always done because she enjoys helping people. It’s a tough life. It takes a different kind of person. I don’t know if I could do that." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sue (@susanna_in_india)Suzanne’s dedication to service long predates her move to Tamil Nadu. Following her separation from her husband, Mohammed Kaif, she raised Katrina and her seven siblings as a single mother. Reflecting on her childhood, Katrina emphasised that her mother's humanitarian work always exposed the family to grassroots realities.She said, "We didn’t grow up in a life of privilege or luxury. We had a very frugal and basic childhood. That’s the life I come from. It is something I have always been exposed to because my mom has done charity work."To support the running of the Mountain View School, Katrina regularly allocates a portion of her earnings from films and public appearances. While the actor prefers to keep her contributions low-key, according to a Mid-Day report, "Katrina loves the work her mother is doing and posts about it on social media sometimes. However, she doesn’t like to bring her contributions to attention. Since she is busy with her film commitments and hence cannot always visit the place, she donates money."Katrina has also used her public reach to seek support for her mother's initiatives. The actor, in an interview with Hindustan Times, said, "I’m happy that my mom is so involved (in education and charity). Now, she’s building a school since the children [from the orphanage] are growing up. Hopefully, Being Human can help fund the school for us."According to official details from Relief Projects India, Suzanne’s work now extends across 25 villages in rural Tamil Nadu. Beyond primary education, the non-profit's outreach encompasses adolescent development, women’s empowerment, life-skills training, career guidance, and cervical cancer screenings.

Through nearly two decades of on-the-ground service, Suzanne Turquotte continues to live simply among the people she serves, while Katrina remains her constant pillar of support from afar. - EndsPublished By: Anurag BohraPublished On: Sep 21, 2026 18:32 IST