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:

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.