Monday, July 6, 2015
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
IMPORTANT NOTICE
DEAR FRIENDS,
IT HAS COME TO OUR NOTICE THAT CERTAIN OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ARE COLLECTING MONEY ON BEHALF OF SANTHINIKETHAN PALAKKAD WITHOUT OUR KNOWLEDGE OR CONSENT. THIS IS TO INFORM YOU THAT WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBILE FOR THIS MISAPPROPRIATION AND MISCHANNELISING OF FUNDS THUS COLLECTED. SO WE REQUEST ALL OUR WELLWISHERS TO SEND MONEY ONLY TO SANTHINIKETHAN PALAKKAD. THIS IS ALSO TO NOTIFY THAT WE DO NOT HAVE ANY BRANCHES OF OUR ORGANIZATION ANYWHERE ELSE IN INDIA OR ABROAD.
THANKING YOU
RAZIYA BANU
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
1. Mission & Objectives
Santhinikethanam Charitable & Welfare Trust, Palakkad was formed on 8th May 2006. The organization's mission and objectives are as follows:
1. Providing family-like care and affection for destitute elderly women, irrespective of religion or caste.
2. Providing safe and comfortable accommodation, meals, clothes and medicines free-of-cost to the women admitted as residents.
1. Providing family-like care and affection for destitute elderly women, irrespective of religion or caste.
2. Providing safe and comfortable accommodation, meals, clothes and medicines free-of-cost to the women admitted as residents.
2. History & Founder
Santhinikethanam was founded on 8th May 2006 by Ms. Razia Bhanu - a nurse in Vadakkanthara, Palakkad. Razia manages the home on a daily basis, staying with the ten elderly women who are the home's full-time residents.
Having been a caregiver to hundreds of patients since the age of 24, Razia had long nursed an inner voice that urged her to devote herself to one of the most vulnerable sections of society - elderly women deserted by their families, either unable or unwilling to look after them. After encountering several initial obstacles, her dream was finally realized in 2006, when Santhinikethanam - a home for destitute old women, was established under a trust.
Razia Bhanu comes from a middle-class family in Vadakkanthara, a small locality in Palakkad town. Razia's mother passed away when she was just three years old; she was subsequently raised by her father along with six other siblings. At the tender age of 15, despite her strongly expressed desire to study further, Razia was given in marriage. Personal tragedy struck 6 years later, when Razia's husband died of leukaemia. She was just 21 at the time.
Refusing to let herself brood, Razia decided to pursue her studies afresh. Armed with determination and perseverance, she completed a course in nursing and joined Devi Nursing Home in Vadakkanthara as a registered nurse. The proprietors of the nursing home, Dr. P.R. Narayanan and Dr. (Mrs.) Girija Narayanan have been her support and guiding force since.
Santhinikethanam began with taking in three inmates who had no children or immediate family to look after them. Razia rented a house to shelter them and stayed with them herself. As of 2010, the number of residents has gone up to ten - all, elderly women, entrusted to Razia's care by their distant relatives or social workers.
While Razia and the inmates presently stay in a rented house, the trust has recently purchased 9 cents** of land with the help of donations from charitable individuals and institutions, and has plans to construct its own residential home for the aged.
- By Dr. Girija Narayanan, Devi Nursing Home, Vadakkanthara, Palakkad
** A cent - the most common measure of land in Kerala - equals 1⁄100th of an acre (40.468 sq.m.)
Having been a caregiver to hundreds of patients since the age of 24, Razia had long nursed an inner voice that urged her to devote herself to one of the most vulnerable sections of society - elderly women deserted by their families, either unable or unwilling to look after them. After encountering several initial obstacles, her dream was finally realized in 2006, when Santhinikethanam - a home for destitute old women, was established under a trust.
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| Sister Razia Bhanu |
Razia Bhanu comes from a middle-class family in Vadakkanthara, a small locality in Palakkad town. Razia's mother passed away when she was just three years old; she was subsequently raised by her father along with six other siblings. At the tender age of 15, despite her strongly expressed desire to study further, Razia was given in marriage. Personal tragedy struck 6 years later, when Razia's husband died of leukaemia. She was just 21 at the time.
Refusing to let herself brood, Razia decided to pursue her studies afresh. Armed with determination and perseverance, she completed a course in nursing and joined Devi Nursing Home in Vadakkanthara as a registered nurse. The proprietors of the nursing home, Dr. P.R. Narayanan and Dr. (Mrs.) Girija Narayanan have been her support and guiding force since.
Santhinikethanam began with taking in three inmates who had no children or immediate family to look after them. Razia rented a house to shelter them and stayed with them herself. As of 2010, the number of residents has gone up to ten - all, elderly women, entrusted to Razia's care by their distant relatives or social workers.
While Razia and the inmates presently stay in a rented house, the trust has recently purchased 9 cents** of land with the help of donations from charitable individuals and institutions, and has plans to construct its own residential home for the aged.
- By Dr. Girija Narayanan, Devi Nursing Home, Vadakkanthara, Palakkad
** A cent - the most common measure of land in Kerala - equals 1⁄100th of an acre (40.468 sq.m.)
3. The Residents
In August 2010, I visited Santhinikethanam and interviewed the residents - all elderly destitute women, either without families or abandoned by them. Most of the women spoke in Malayalam, some in a mixture of Malayalam and Tamil. Sri. Sivakumar acted as interpreter. Gently encouraged by Sister Razia Bhanu, they shared their stories one by one, some shy and hesitant at first, but gradually opening up.
Some accounts were sad and heart-rending - recalling entire lifetimes spent as maids serving multiple generations of a family or as menial workers, earning pittances while working long, hard hours, with hardly any savings to speak of, and eventually cast out by their employers when they were too old or unfit to work any more.
Some stories were confused ramblings, incoherent pieces from here and there, old memories mixed up with more recent ones, eyes filling up with tears at recalling long-forgotten names and places, family members who had deserted them, but who they - inexplicably - still missed and longed to see again.
As I listened, I found myself wondering if the hazy memories of these senior citizens could be trusted for accuracy. But the undeniable common thread running across the stories was the fact that all of them - without exception - had been abandoned by their families or their erstwhile employers, left alone to fend for themselves, before they were brought to Sister Razia.
These are the residents of Santhinikethanam and their stories in brief.
1) Thangamma @ Dhanalakshmi, 75, Kannur:
At the age of 7, when most other children would be in school, Thangamma became a full-time maid looking after the children of a Government employee living in the Railway Colony. For as long as she can recall, Thangamma lived with her employers, never drawing a salary; being compensated only with meals and accommodation in return for her work with the family. At some point over the years, Thangamma was no longer able to work, fell ill with pneumonia and was admitted to the Palakkad District Hospital. Her employers did not return to claim her, and she continued to stay on in the hospital, at times with sympathetic doctors or nurses. Thangamma was brought to Santhinikethanam by a retired nurse in September 2006, when she became one of the home's first residents. Thangamma has no relatives that she knows of.
Medical Conditions: Rheumatic Arthritis, TB, Asthma
2) Parukutty, 75, Kalpathy
Parukutty's husband was a vegetable vendor who drank himself to an early death. Parukutty moved in to live with another single lady in Kalpathy village. Parukutty has 2 daughters, the younger one a municipal councillor, the elder daughter, well off, and staying in Chandranagar with her family. Parukutty has not seen both daughters in decades. The lady that Parukutty was staying with, concerned for their safety, brought her to Santhinikethanam in November 2008.
Medical Conditions: Psychiatric problems, High Blood Pressure, High Blood Sugar
3) Thangamma @ Music-Amma, 80, Kalpathy
This Thangamma is also affectionately called "Music-Amma", having taught Carnatic classical vocal music to the children of Kalpathy village for several decades. Thangamma's husband deserted her many years ago and with no children of her own, she lived with her mother and 2 brothers. When her mother and brothers passed on, she stayed alone, getting occasional help from the village temple. Casting her mind back to happier days in her childhood, Thangamma recalls her father being the chief chemist in a cement factory. None of her 4 brothers survive today. Thangamma was admitted to Santhinikethanam in September 2009.
When I visited Santhinikethanam on an August evening in 2010, Music-Amma was leading the group in a bhajan session.
Medical Conditions: High blood pressure, High blood sugar, Slightly hard of hearing.
4) Vesuamma, 75, Kuthannur
Vesuamma has spent all her life as a sweeper in a pawnshop. Several years ago she happened to fracture her right hand. Having received no proper medical treatment for the fracture at the time, Vesuamma has now lost the use of her right arm entirely. She was eventually let go by her employer. With no husband or children of her own, she was looked after by some kind-hearted neighbours. She was brought to Santhinikethanam by her sister's son in January 2009.
Medical Conditions: Cataract in both eyes, fractured right hand, now permanently disabled.
5) Thatthamma, 60, Vadakkanchery
Thathamma never married, and worked for several years as a maid in many households and even on a farm. Her brother, who she was living with, eventually expelled her from his home and the local postman brought her to Sister Razia. Thathamma was admitted to Santhinikethanam in September 2009.
Medical Conditions: Psychiatric issues, leucoderma
6) Janakiamma, 80+, Kollangode
Janakiamma has a son and a daughter. Her son, who she was living with for some years, expelled her and she went to live with her brother. After her brother's death, Janakiamma was brought to Santhinikethanam in January 2007 by a gentleman named Madhavan. We learnt during the interview that Janakiamma's children have visited her in Santhinikethanam just once ... and attempted during the visit to get her to transfer the deed for a small piece of ancestral farm land that she owns in Vattekkad near Kollangode.
Medical Conditions: High blood pressure
7) Parukutty Amma, 75+, Kuthannur
Orphaned at an early age, Parukutty Amma was in the care of her uncle. She was married to a surveyor who was also an alcoholic. She recalled how he would take away even her meagre income earned as a housemaid to feed his alcoholism, often turning up at her workplace and creating scenes. He eventually deserted her while they were in Coimbatore. Parukutty had 3 or 4 children; all but one died of malnutrition. The whereabouts of her surviving child are unknown. A kind-hearted elderly couple from her home village of Kuthannur took her in and brought her to Santhinikethanam in November 2008.
Medical Conditions: Heart Patient (2 heart attacks), High blood pressure, High blood sugar
8) 'Bombay' Janaki, 60+, Vallikode
Never married, Janaki worked as a housemaid in Bombay for 36 years before she was sacked when no longer fit to work. She recalls sending a big portion of her wages during her years in Bombay to her Tharavaad (ancestral home) in Vallikode. Her brother who lives in Vallikode does not care for her anymore. Janaki has a younger sister in Coimbatore.
Medical Conditions: High blood pressure, overweight, polio (contracted in childhood)
9) Meenakshi, 75, Palakkad
Meenakshi was from a well-off family with an ancestral house and fields. However, her husband and only son both died. Her brothers sold off her house and brought her to be admitted to Santhinikethanam in July 2010. Meenakshi wept often during the interview, and while her story was disjointed, she appeared to be deeply agonized over what had transpired in her life.
Medical Conditions: Dementia, Psychiatric Problems (on medication), Uterus prolapse
Some accounts were sad and heart-rending - recalling entire lifetimes spent as maids serving multiple generations of a family or as menial workers, earning pittances while working long, hard hours, with hardly any savings to speak of, and eventually cast out by their employers when they were too old or unfit to work any more.
Some stories were confused ramblings, incoherent pieces from here and there, old memories mixed up with more recent ones, eyes filling up with tears at recalling long-forgotten names and places, family members who had deserted them, but who they - inexplicably - still missed and longed to see again.
As I listened, I found myself wondering if the hazy memories of these senior citizens could be trusted for accuracy. But the undeniable common thread running across the stories was the fact that all of them - without exception - had been abandoned by their families or their erstwhile employers, left alone to fend for themselves, before they were brought to Sister Razia.
These are the residents of Santhinikethanam and their stories in brief.
1) Thangamma @ Dhanalakshmi, 75, Kannur:
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| Thangamma @ Dhanalakshmi, 75, Kannur |
Medical Conditions: Rheumatic Arthritis, TB, Asthma
2) Parukutty, 75, Kalpathy
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| Parukutty, 75, Kalpathy |
Medical Conditions: Psychiatric problems, High Blood Pressure, High Blood Sugar
3) Thangamma @ Music-Amma, 80, Kalpathy
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| Thangamma @ Music-Amma, 80, Kalpathy |
When I visited Santhinikethanam on an August evening in 2010, Music-Amma was leading the group in a bhajan session.
Medical Conditions: High blood pressure, High blood sugar, Slightly hard of hearing.
4) Vesuamma, 75, Kuthannur
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| Vesuamma, 75, Kuthannur |
Medical Conditions: Cataract in both eyes, fractured right hand, now permanently disabled.
5) Thatthamma, 60, Vadakkanchery
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| Thatthamma, 60, Vadakkanchery |
Medical Conditions: Psychiatric issues, leucoderma
6) Janakiamma, 80+, Kollangode
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| Janakiamma, 80+, Kollangode |
Medical Conditions: High blood pressure
7) Parukutty Amma, 75+, Kuthannur
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| Parukutty Amma, 75+, Kuthannur |
Orphaned at an early age, Parukutty Amma was in the care of her uncle. She was married to a surveyor who was also an alcoholic. She recalled how he would take away even her meagre income earned as a housemaid to feed his alcoholism, often turning up at her workplace and creating scenes. He eventually deserted her while they were in Coimbatore. Parukutty had 3 or 4 children; all but one died of malnutrition. The whereabouts of her surviving child are unknown. A kind-hearted elderly couple from her home village of Kuthannur took her in and brought her to Santhinikethanam in November 2008.
Medical Conditions: Heart Patient (2 heart attacks), High blood pressure, High blood sugar
8) 'Bombay' Janaki, 60+, Vallikode
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| 'Bombay' Janaki, 60+, Vallikode |
Medical Conditions: High blood pressure, overweight, polio (contracted in childhood)
9) Meenakshi, 75, Palakkad
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| Meenakshi, 75, Palakkad |
Medical Conditions: Dementia, Psychiatric Problems (on medication), Uterus prolapse
4. A Typical Day at Santhinikethanam
I was introduced to the good work being done by Sister Razia Bhanu in early 2010 by my late father. Sri. Sivakumar, an old friend of my father's, took us in his car to Santhinikethanam in Vadakkanthara, where we waited for Sister Razia to come back from her work at the nearby Devi Nursing Home. The home presently occupies the upper floor of a 2-storey house owned by a kind, elderly couple, who spend most of the year visiting their children abroad.
I was struck by the quietly elegant Razia, her sincerity and passion for her chosen cause clearly evident - inspite of (or perhaps, inspired by) the unfortunate turns her own personal life has taken.
I returned to the home in August 2010 with Mr. Sivakumar, this time without my dear father, who passed away suddenly in mid-2010. My father was deeply impressed with the home and Sister Razia's efforts, and had often expressed his wish that we should do more to help her cause.
On the spur of the moment, I decided to interview the residents and create this small presence on the web for Santhinikethanam. Their stories are found under the section titled 'The Residents'.
After plying us with delicious aapams, Sister Razia also shared her thoughts and experiences with us. She described her daily routine in the home, from getting up in the wee hours each morning to cook for the residents, to personally bathing and feeding some of the ladies with psychiatric problems, and ensuring each of them has their prescribed medications, before leaving for work, locking the home for safety. During the day, Bombay Amma and Music Amma have been trained to call her at the hospital or on her cellphone if any urgency should arise at the home.
A television set, kindly donated by one of Sister Razia's well-wishers, provides the elderly residents with some entertainment to help them while away the long hours. Music Amma is the only one who can read a newspaper. She also leads the residents in a prayer-cum-bhajan session from 6 - 7 p.m. every evening, and - in keeping with her long career as a music teacher - is known to be rather strict with her 'class' and doesn't take kindly to interruptions!
Sister Razia returns by early evening and resumes the evening chores of cleaning, cooking dinner, dispensing medicines and helping some of the frailer residents to bed, before herself retiring for the night.
On most days, this routine plays itself out without change or diversion. The house only has very occasional visitors like us, and as I listened to the stories of the elderly residents, I couldn't help pondering what it must be like to live out your twilight years in loneliness. What does one look forward to, when one wakes up every day, with no family to call one's own or be cared for by?
I was struck by the quietly elegant Razia, her sincerity and passion for her chosen cause clearly evident - inspite of (or perhaps, inspired by) the unfortunate turns her own personal life has taken.
I returned to the home in August 2010 with Mr. Sivakumar, this time without my dear father, who passed away suddenly in mid-2010. My father was deeply impressed with the home and Sister Razia's efforts, and had often expressed his wish that we should do more to help her cause.
On the spur of the moment, I decided to interview the residents and create this small presence on the web for Santhinikethanam. Their stories are found under the section titled 'The Residents'.
After plying us with delicious aapams, Sister Razia also shared her thoughts and experiences with us. She described her daily routine in the home, from getting up in the wee hours each morning to cook for the residents, to personally bathing and feeding some of the ladies with psychiatric problems, and ensuring each of them has their prescribed medications, before leaving for work, locking the home for safety. During the day, Bombay Amma and Music Amma have been trained to call her at the hospital or on her cellphone if any urgency should arise at the home.
A television set, kindly donated by one of Sister Razia's well-wishers, provides the elderly residents with some entertainment to help them while away the long hours. Music Amma is the only one who can read a newspaper. She also leads the residents in a prayer-cum-bhajan session from 6 - 7 p.m. every evening, and - in keeping with her long career as a music teacher - is known to be rather strict with her 'class' and doesn't take kindly to interruptions!
Sister Razia returns by early evening and resumes the evening chores of cleaning, cooking dinner, dispensing medicines and helping some of the frailer residents to bed, before herself retiring for the night.
On most days, this routine plays itself out without change or diversion. The house only has very occasional visitors like us, and as I listened to the stories of the elderly residents, I couldn't help pondering what it must be like to live out your twilight years in loneliness. What does one look forward to, when one wakes up every day, with no family to call one's own or be cared for by?
Yet, the fate of these women could have been so much bleaker, if not for Sister Razia's efforts to provide them with food, shelter and security, in what must be the most vulnerable years of their lives.
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| Living room at Santhinikethanam (photos were taken in August 2010) |
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| View of the living room, dining area and laundry area |
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| Musicamma, Janakiamma and Vesuamma |
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| View of the balcony from the living room |
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| Balcony where the residents enjoy fresh air on a cool night |
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| Thathamma and MusicAmma |
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| Vesuamma is usually one of the first to retire for the night |
5. In The News
The following article appeared originally in Malayalam in Malayala Manorama (the most widely read newspaper in Kerala) on 6 August 2006.
For Razia Bhanu, coming to Santhinikethanam with all that life had given her, was the first step. Razia, who lost her loving mother at the tender age of three, now has 9 ladies she calls her mothers at this Home. The doors of Santhinikethanam are open to those who have nobody to depend upon and those who are lonely. Sitting on the doorsteps of the Home, Razia Bhanu narrates her story, her misfortunes, love lost.
Her childhood days in her home at Selvi Colony at Vadakkanthara, Palakkad was like a poetry book. Of the seven children born to Abdul Wahab and Hajira, Razia was the sixth. After she lost her mother, she was under the loving care of her elder sisters. Her father worked at a private firm in the town. Life appeared to pass smoothly for her in those days. Gradually, one by one, her sisters got married. In Razia's memory, those occasions were like grand festivals. Slowly, though, she fell into the grip of loneliness.
She studied at the Moyan Girls' High School, Palakkad. In class and outside, she always came into contact with those who were suffering, and her heart wept at her inability to help them.
While she was in the 9th Std., she started overhearing conversations at home about plans for her marriage. Razia wanted to continue her studies, though she did not yet know what or who she wanted to become.
Her uncle's son Nijam Ali found his way into her life as her husband after she had passed her 10th Std. After the wedding, Razia shifted to his house at Koothanur. The years brought their share of marital bliss, quarrels, entertainments and other experiences and passed very quickly. Nijam Ali was in the family business along with his brothers.
Without warning, dark clouds spread in her life. Her husband fell seriously ill and was treated for a long time at a hospital in Coimbatore.When blood cancer took her husband's life, Razia was only 21 years old. She returned to her father's house.
Her longing to continue her studies returned strongly. She decided her future career lay in nursing and accordingly she joined a nursing course. Both in the nursing school and in hospitals and elsewhere, Razia recalls witnessing the sufferings of many people. After completing her course, she joined the Devi Nursing Home, a hospital run by a family friend, Dr. Narayanan. Her father passed away, and she had to go live with her brother. Although her relatives wanted her to consider another marriage and settle down, Razia had other ideas.
Dr. Girija of Devi Nursing Home, was the one person who knew Razia closely, and understood her lonely life and her dreams for what she wanted to do with her future. She wanted to establish a home for elderly, destitute women. It was with the backing of Dr. Girija and others that 'Santhinikethanam' came into being. On 8th May 2006, the Home was inaugurated by Dr. Girija at a rented house in Ram Nagar, Vadakkanthara. Three elderly women, abandoned by their families, were the Home's first residents.
The present inmates, 9 in all, are those who, inspite of having relatives, are without anybody to love and care for them in their twilight years. Providing food, clothes, medicines and care to them, Razia herself stays in the rented home with them.
Santhinikethanam is now surviving largely on the modest income that Razia earns (at her work in Devi Nursing Home). Kind-hearted people are offering help though. Several people have made enquiries, and a few have offered help to finance and construct the home's own premises.
Above all, Razia prays to the Almighty - to extend from His limitless treasury, a healthy life for her, so that she can continue to serve these destitute old mothers. Because, if Razia falls ill, who will take care of these mothers?
- Translated from the original in Malayalam by Sri. Sivakumar in August 2010
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| Article on Santhinikethanam - Malayala Manorama, Sunday, 6 August 2006 |
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NONE
Her childhood days in her home at Selvi Colony at Vadakkanthara, Palakkad was like a poetry book. Of the seven children born to Abdul Wahab and Hajira, Razia was the sixth. After she lost her mother, she was under the loving care of her elder sisters. Her father worked at a private firm in the town. Life appeared to pass smoothly for her in those days. Gradually, one by one, her sisters got married. In Razia's memory, those occasions were like grand festivals. Slowly, though, she fell into the grip of loneliness.
She studied at the Moyan Girls' High School, Palakkad. In class and outside, she always came into contact with those who were suffering, and her heart wept at her inability to help them.
While she was in the 9th Std., she started overhearing conversations at home about plans for her marriage. Razia wanted to continue her studies, though she did not yet know what or who she wanted to become.
Her uncle's son Nijam Ali found his way into her life as her husband after she had passed her 10th Std. After the wedding, Razia shifted to his house at Koothanur. The years brought their share of marital bliss, quarrels, entertainments and other experiences and passed very quickly. Nijam Ali was in the family business along with his brothers.
Without warning, dark clouds spread in her life. Her husband fell seriously ill and was treated for a long time at a hospital in Coimbatore.When blood cancer took her husband's life, Razia was only 21 years old. She returned to her father's house.
Her longing to continue her studies returned strongly. She decided her future career lay in nursing and accordingly she joined a nursing course. Both in the nursing school and in hospitals and elsewhere, Razia recalls witnessing the sufferings of many people. After completing her course, she joined the Devi Nursing Home, a hospital run by a family friend, Dr. Narayanan. Her father passed away, and she had to go live with her brother. Although her relatives wanted her to consider another marriage and settle down, Razia had other ideas.
Dr. Girija of Devi Nursing Home, was the one person who knew Razia closely, and understood her lonely life and her dreams for what she wanted to do with her future. She wanted to establish a home for elderly, destitute women. It was with the backing of Dr. Girija and others that 'Santhinikethanam' came into being. On 8th May 2006, the Home was inaugurated by Dr. Girija at a rented house in Ram Nagar, Vadakkanthara. Three elderly women, abandoned by their families, were the Home's first residents.
The present inmates, 9 in all, are those who, inspite of having relatives, are without anybody to love and care for them in their twilight years. Providing food, clothes, medicines and care to them, Razia herself stays in the rented home with them.
Santhinikethanam is now surviving largely on the modest income that Razia earns (at her work in Devi Nursing Home). Kind-hearted people are offering help though. Several people have made enquiries, and a few have offered help to finance and construct the home's own premises.
Above all, Razia prays to the Almighty - to extend from His limitless treasury, a healthy life for her, so that she can continue to serve these destitute old mothers. Because, if Razia falls ill, who will take care of these mothers?
- Translated from the original in Malayalam by Sri. Sivakumar in August 2010
6. How You Can Help
The Santhinikethanam Trust was formed in 2006 with the sole object of caring for destitute elderly women, irrespective of religion or caste. As of August 2010, the home has ten elderly female residents, many with multiple health issues. The home seeks to provide all residents with comfortable and safe accommodation, meals, clothing and medicines free-of-cost.
The home relies entirely on liberal donations from charitably minded individuals and institutions.
When I interviewed Sister Razia Bhanu in August 2010, she estimated the home's average monthly expenses to be around Rs. 20,000. When asked how they raised funds, she said, with a rueful smile: "There are times when I frantically worry about how I will make it to the next month. Then, somehow, magically, when I least expect it, somebody steps in and the month's expenses are met!". Living precariously, the home has no savings or sinking fund to draw on. When donations fall short, Razia uses a large part of her salary to meet the home's expenses. The doctors at Devi Nursing Home - Dr. Girija Narayanan & her husband Dr. P.R. Narayanan, Dr. Natarajan, Dr. Anand and Dr. Sasikumar help with sourcing for donations. Dr. Nandakumar from Amritha Homeopathic Clinic helps with free homeopathic medicines and treatment for the residents. Razia Bhanu herself uses her nursing skills to tend to the medical needs of inmates.
Sister Razia's vision for the future is to have her own 30-bed home focused on providing free food, safe shelter and palliative care for elderly women without families and with failing health, including those terminally ill with cancer.
If you wish to make a donation to Santhinikethanam, you can use one of the following ways:
1) Write a cheque or demand draft payable to 'Santhinikethanam Charitable & Welfare Trust' and snail mail it to:
2) Directly transfer funds (via NEFT or RTGS if you have an Indian bank account) to the home's bank account:
Your donation will be tax-deductible in India under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Please mention your full name and return address so they can send you a receipt for your donation. Thank you for your kind support.
The home relies entirely on liberal donations from charitably minded individuals and institutions.
When I interviewed Sister Razia Bhanu in August 2010, she estimated the home's average monthly expenses to be around Rs. 20,000. When asked how they raised funds, she said, with a rueful smile: "There are times when I frantically worry about how I will make it to the next month. Then, somehow, magically, when I least expect it, somebody steps in and the month's expenses are met!". Living precariously, the home has no savings or sinking fund to draw on. When donations fall short, Razia uses a large part of her salary to meet the home's expenses. The doctors at Devi Nursing Home - Dr. Girija Narayanan & her husband Dr. P.R. Narayanan, Dr. Natarajan, Dr. Anand and Dr. Sasikumar help with sourcing for donations. Dr. Nandakumar from Amritha Homeopathic Clinic helps with free homeopathic medicines and treatment for the residents. Razia Bhanu herself uses her nursing skills to tend to the medical needs of inmates.
Sister Razia's vision for the future is to have her own 30-bed home focused on providing free food, safe shelter and palliative care for elderly women without families and with failing health, including those terminally ill with cancer.
If you wish to make a donation to Santhinikethanam, you can use one of the following ways:
1) Write a cheque or demand draft payable to 'Santhinikethanam Charitable & Welfare Trust' and snail mail it to:
Santhinikethanam Charitable & Welfare Trust
41/138, 'Krishnajayam',
Ramnagar P.O., Vadakkanthara,
Palakkad 678012,
Kerala, India.
2) Directly transfer funds (via NEFT or RTGS if you have an Indian bank account) to the home's bank account:
- Bank: Punjab National Bank
- Branch: Kalpathy, Palakkad
- Account Name: Santhinikethanam Charitable & Welfare Trust
- Savings Account No.: 4283010100010466
Your donation will be tax-deductible in India under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Please mention your full name and return address so they can send you a receipt for your donation. Thank you for your kind support.
8. Contact Us
Address:
Santhinikethanam Charitable & Welfare TrustDarsanacolony Vadakkanthara(po) Chunnamputhara,
Palakkad 678012, Kerala,
India.
Contact Numbers:
At the Home: +91 (491) 2504027
Sister Razia Bhanu's Cellphone: +91 99474 71830
E-Mail:
santhinikethanam.palakkad@gmail.com
Santhinikethanam Charitable & Welfare TrustDarsanacolony Vadakkanthara(po) Chunnamputhara,
Palakkad 678012, Kerala,
India.
Contact Numbers:
At the Home: +91 (491) 2504027
Sister Razia Bhanu's Cellphone: +91 99474 71830
E-Mail:
santhinikethanam.palakkad@gmail.com
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